i
VOL. L.VII. NO. 17,698.
PORTLAND, OREGON, MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 1917.
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
YOUTH AND WOMAN
VICTIMS OF RIVERS
EFFORTS TO AVERT
AMERICAN TANKER
SUNK BY U-BOAT
SWELTERING HEAT
PROSTRATES ONE
MADE
VICTOR MONGEAU, 1 Of DROWNS
IX COLUMBIA SLOUGH.
CAPTAIN AND FOUR OF NAVAL
GUARD BELIEVED CAPTIVES.
YOUTH OF 21 IS PORTLAND'S
FIRST VICTIM.
23 ARE KILLED III
ESSEX AIR RAID
SPRUCE WILL WIN
WAR, SAY AVIATORS
Portland Host to Al
lies' Representatives.
STABLE WHEAT
PRICE ASSURED
WAR
AGAIN
'I
Score of German Fly
ers Visit England.
INVADERS ARE DRIVEN BACK
Nine Women, Six Children and
Eight Men Dead as Result
of East Coast Raid.
FRENCH BOMB FRANKFORT
Air Fighting of Unusual Inten
sity Takes Place :Dozen
English Planes Missing.
LONDON, Aug. 12. Twenty-three
persons, including nine women and
bix children, .were killed, and 50 per
sons were injured at South End, in
Essex, 40 miles east of London, by
bombs dropped from German raiders
today, says an official statement is
sued tonight.
Ponsiderable damage to property
was caused at South End by. the near
ly 40 bombs dropped upon the town.
Six Children Victims. '
Two men were injuredat Rochford,
but four bombs dropped on Margate,
in Kent, did little damage. The latest
statement follows:
"Enemy raiders caused considerable
damage at South End, where they
dropped about 40 bombs. The casual
ties thus far reported are:
- "Killed Eight men, 9 women, 6
children. About 50 people were in
jured. Empty House Demolished.
"At Rochford, two men were in
jured, but no damage is reported. At
Margate, four bombs were dropped.
One uninhabited house was demol
ished, but there were no casualties."
The text of the first official state
ment says:
"About 5:15 o'clook this afternoon
a squadron of about 20 enemy air
planes were reported off Felixstowe,
in Suffolk. They skirted the coast to
Clacton, in Essex, where they appar
ently divided, a part going south to
Margate, in Kent. The remainder
crossed the coast and went southwest
toward Wickford, near which place
they turned southeast and dropped
bombs in the neighborhood of South
End, in Essex. Some bombs also
were dropped on Margate.
"Our own aircraft were very quick
ly in the air, and they pursued the
enemy out to sea."
British Airmen Ready.
Reports from various local correspon
dents indicate the probability that the
German airplane raid Sunday would
have been much more serious but for
the preparedness of the British de
fense. British airships, at the first
intimation of the enemy's approach,
arose from all points, climbing upward
at a terrific pace at daring angles,
with the result that before the Ger
mans arrived, fleets of British ma
chines were in waiting.
The activity of the airships and the
excellent fire from anti-aircraft guns
appear to hava nullified the attempted
operations of the invaders virtually
everywhere, except at South End.
There are many stories of scattered
flights by the Germans to avoid risk
ing engagements with the defenders.
The weather was bright and fine,
with a strong westerly wind, which,
perhaps, was less forcible at the great
height the raiders traveled.
Holiday Crowds Suffer.
It appears that the largest section
of the invading squadron operated
over the Thames estuary, but the cir
cumstances which resulted in South
End being the chief victim are not
apparent.. The town was full of holi
day makers. Many of these were on
the way to the railway station to take
a train for London, when the bombing
began, and there were many casualties
among them. One bomb alone killed
seven persons and wounded many
others.
ISlsewnere, me people who re
mained in the street, instead of tak
ing cover, were the chief sufferers.
Hundreds were thrown to the ground
by the concussions, but all escaped se
rious injury. Reports from Deal,
Ramsgate and other coast towns say
that the main result of the air raid
(Concluded on Pas 3, Column L
Miss Sadie Pharls, Colorado Visitor,
Meets Fate In Tualatin River
Near Tigardvllle.
Ten-year-old Victor Mongeau, of 495
Davis street, was drowned in one of
the sloughs tributary to the Columbia
river near Columbia Beach shortly af
ter noon yesterday.
The lad, together with several other
boys, was swimming and it is thought,
ventured too far into the stream. The
bey screamed for help and W. A.
Snedeker, of 633 Hast Sixty-seventh
street. North, who was fishing from a
boat near by, sounded the alarm, being
unable to swim himself.
A long pole was used and the body
was recovered in a short time, but not
until It was too late for resuscitation
with a pulmotor.
The boy's parents, Mr. and Mrs. V. J.
Mongeau, reside at 495 Davis street.
Coronor Smith took charge of the
body.
It was asserted by Mr. Smith last
night that there is no life-saving
equipment in use at the beach, and it
was necessary to carry the pulmotor
from Portland to the scene.
Miss Sadie Pharls, a recent arrival
from Colorado, was drowned yesterday
In the Tualatin River, about three
miles beyond Tigardvllle, according to
information received by Chief of Police
Johnson last night. City ' Grappler
Brady will go to the scene of . the
drowning this morning and search- for
the body.
Miss Pharis Is said to have been
about 21 years old and was a visitor
at the J. IL Duncan farm home.' Only
meager Information was received last
night, and one of the reports said that
the victim's name was "Mrs. Corbett."
""ASTORIA. Or..- Aug. 12. (Special.)
The body of a man which was iden
tified by papers founi in the pockets
the remains of T. W. Harris, a stran
ger, was found floating in the river
today close to the port dock. The man
was about 45 years old, wore Moose
charms, and apparently had resided re
cently In Mollala and St. Johns.
MERRY CHRISTMAS IS PLAN
Red Cross Wants Comfort Bags for
Americans In France.
NEW YORK. Aug. 12. A "merry
Christmas" for American soldiers In
France is already being planned by the
Red Cross, according to an announce
ment made tonight by that organiza
tion in this city, which as issued an
appeal for funds to purchase "a million
comfort bags, and then a million more."
The appeal is from a prominent Red
Cross workers in France, who says the
bags must be shipped soon if they are
to arrive there in time for the Christ
mas distribution. French soldiers also
will receive these kits, each of which
contains an American flag.
ELDERLY CYCLIST INJURED
Chinese Motorist Runs Down John
Slurtlnger.
John Murtlnger, an elderly man, suf
fered a fracture of the leg yesterday
when he was knocked from his bicycle
by an automobile driven by Daniel
Feld, adopted son of the late Seid
Back, at Fast Twelfth street and Haw
thorne avenue.
Mr. Murtlnger, who resides at 855
Clinton street, was riding on Twelfth
street when the large car driven by
Mr. Feid crossed the intersection,
striking the bicycle.
First aid was given the injured man
and later taken to Good Samaritan
Hospital.
MANY FARM LOANS ASKED
Federal Board Has Applications for
Million Dollars a Day.
WASHINGTON. Aug. 12. Applica
tions for farm loans are pouring into
the Federal Land Banks at the rate of
more than $1,000,000 a day, the Federal
Farm Loan Board announced yester
day, the total for July having reached
$34,310,000. During that month the
board approved loans amounting to
$16,000,000.
About $4,000,000 has been loaned
farmers thus far.
19 FISHERMEN DROWNED
Dories Are Swamped by Gale That
Arises Suddenly.
BOSTON. Aug. 12. Nineteen Portu
guese fishermen, of Pruvincetown, were
drownsd when the dories In which they
were fishing off Cape Cod were
swamped b- a gale that came up sud
denly late Friday afternoon.
The men were from the fishing
schooners Mary C. Santos and the
Natalie J. Nelson, which arrived here
tonight.
TAFT'S HEALTH IMPROVES
Patient Makes Progress, but Time
He May Move Is Uncertain.
CLAY CENTER. Kan.. Aug. 12. Con
tinued improvement in the condition
of ex-President William H. Taft. ill
at a local hotel, was reported today by
his physician. Dr. B. F. Morgan.
Although his patient was making
excellent progress, Dr. Morgan refused
to state a time when he believed Mr.
Taft would be able to resume his
peaking tour.
Gerard Tells of Visiting
Kaiser at Front.
VONJAGOW STRONG FOR PEACE
Fall of Von Tirpitz Does Not
Change Sentiment.
EMPEROR STILL UNDECIDED
Those In Favor of Peace Arrange
Still Another Interview for Am
bassador to Present Ameri
can Side of Controversy.
BY JAMES TV. GERARD.
American Ambassador to the German Im
perial Court, July 28. 1913. to February
4. 1917. Copyright, 1917. by -the Public
Ledger Company.
I myself felt that nothing could al
ter public opinion in Germany, in spite
of Von Tirpitz' fall, which had taken
place some time before; that the advo
cates of ruthless submarine warfare
would win, and that to satisfy them
Germany would risk a break with
America.
I was sitting In my office. In a rath
er dazed and despairing state, when
Professor Ludwlg Stein, proprietor of
a magasine called North and South, and
a writer of special articles on Ger
many's foreign relations, for the Vos
sische Zeitung, under the name , of
"Diplomatlcus," called to see me.
He informed me he thought the situ
ation was not yet hopeless, that there
was still a large party of reasonable
men in Germany, and that much good
could be done if I should go to the
great general headquarters and have a
talk with the Kaiser, who, he informed
me, was reported to be against a break.
Gerard Goes to Battlefrent.
I told Doctor Stein that, of course,
I was perfectly willing to go if there
was the slightest chance of preventing
war. and I also told Chancellor von
Bethmann-Hollweg, if he was going to
decide this question In favor of peace,
that possibly it would be easier for
him if the decision were arrived at un
der the protection, as it were, of the
Emperor; or, if the decision lay with
the Emperor, that possibly I might be
able to help in convincing him, if I
had an opportunity to lay the Ameri
can side of the case before him. I eaid
that I was ready at any time on short
notice to proceed to the Emperor's
headquarters. Doctor Heckscher, a
member of the Reichstag, who mus'
be classed among the reasonable men
of Germany, also advocated my speak
ing directly to the Kaiser.
Von Jagow Gives Invitation.
A few days after this Von Jagow
called to see me at the embassy and
invited me to visit the Emperor at the
(Concluded on Page 4. Column 2.)
r... .......... .............. .................................,
HARDLY FAIR TO INFLICT THEM ON THE ARMY. j
t THE AMV MORE EXEMPTION j
t
L L....;..... r -
Forty-Seven Members of Crew Reach
Land After Attack 143 Miles .
West of lie De Re.
t
WASHINGTON, Aug. 12. Sinking of
the American steamer Campana, a
Standard Oil tanker, with the probable
capture of her captain and four mem
bers of the naval guard by the attack
ing German submarine, was announced
today by the Navy Department
The department Issued this state
ment: .
- 'The Standard Oil tanker Campana,
an American steamer, was sunk by a
submarine on the morning of August 6,
143 miles- west of He De Re. Forty
seven survivors reached land In safety.
It Is believed that the captain of the
steamer and four of the armed guards
are prisoners on board the German sub
marine." NEW YORK, Aug. 12. The steam
er Campana was formerly the steam
ship Dunholme. She was built In 1901
at West Hartlepool, England, and was
registered at 3313 tons gross, 2133 tons
net. She was 335 feet long, with, a
beam of 47 feet.
The Campana was the 38th American
merchant ship destroyed through the
operations of German and Austrian
submarines and raiders since the war
began. Thirteen of these ships were
sunk before the United States entered
the war and 25 since that time. The
total tonnage of the ships lost is about
113.000 tons.
The first American ship sunk was the
William P. Frye. January 28, 1915.
ROUMANIA SEEKS SEAT
Bostov-on-the-Don Is Being Con
sidered as Government Location.
PETROGRAD, Aug. 11. The authori
ties of the provisional government at
Rostov-on-the-Don have been instruct
ed to report to the central govern
ment as to the possibility, of estab
lishing the seat of he Roumanian gov
ernment in that city and also the ad
visability of the Roumanian royal fam
ily transferring its residence to a town
In Southern Russia.
A telegram from Odessa, Russia's
great Black Sea port, aays that the
commander-in-chief of the military dis
trict there has authorized a denial of
rumors that the evacuation of Odessa
U Imminent
MORE FOOD IS PURPOSE
Interstate Agricultural Conference
Called at Spokane.
PULLMAN. Wash.. Aug. 12. Presl
dent E. O. Holland, of Washington
State College, yesterday received a re
quest from Secretary Houston, of the
Department of Agriculture, asking that
arrangements be made for an interstate
conference in Spokane August 27 and
28 to discuss Winter wheat and rye
seeding problems.
Seventy-five persons from eight
jtates will be In attendance, he said.
Dr. R. A. Pearson and two others will
represent the Department of Agrlcul
I ture.
LABOR PROBLEM STUDIED
Necessity of Unfailing Supply
of Wood Emphasized.
AERIAL SUPERIORITY VITAL
Veteran. Fliers of British, French
and Italian Armies to Show at
Auditorium Motion Pictures
of Aircraft at Front.
MAYOR URGES PEOPLE TO
ATTEND AIRCRAFT MEET
ING AT AUDITORIUM
TONIGHT.
Portland today Is host to the
distinguished representatives of
three of our allies In the cause
of democracy. They have come
to Portland the centre of the
world's greatest spruce-producing
district to Impress upon "us
the vital necessity of dealing a
generous supply of our precious
timber to our Government and
our allies for airplane construe
T
-i
tlon.
. Tonight at the municipal audi
torium, the visiting aviators of
the British. French and Italian
armies, all of whom have seen
actual service at the front, will
tell us something of their experi
ences. They have brought with
them many reels of motion pic
tures, showing the actual use of
aircraft on the fighting lines.
The exhibition will be free.
Let us fill every seat in our new
auditorium and give our guests
a reception -that they will long
remember, and that will demon
strate conclusively that Portland
is alive to the urgent needs of
the time.
GEORGE L. BAKER, Mayor.
"We must have spruce to win the
war."
This Is the message that the air
craft commissioners of the allied na
tions brought to Portland yesterday.
Nay, more than that
"Spruce will, win the war."
They are positive about It. Right
here on the Western edge of the coun
try is the biggest and most accessible
stand of spruce in the world. Its effi
cacy for airplane construction already
has been demonstrated.
The only problem now Is to trana-
(Conciuded on Page 3. Column 2.)
Thermometer Attains 92 Degrees
for Second Time, With Exces
sive Humidity of 68 Per Cent.
One case of heat prostration, the
first to be recorded this Summer, tes
tified to the sweltering intensity of
yesterday, when the official instru
ment of the weather bureau attained a
temperature of 92 degrees.
Only four other cities in the country
were as hot, Phoenix being 98, Walla
Walla, Medford and, North Yakima be
ing 94.
Clarence Chapin, 21. of 444 East Ash
street, was overcome at Grand avenue
and East Morrison street in mid-after
noon. He was taken to the Emergency
Hospital, where his condition was said
to be serious. His recovery is expect
ed, although he will be confined to his
bed for several days.
For an hour or so In the afternoon.
light clouds screened the sun and af
forded temporary relief, but the mer
cury mounted steadily until it at
tained the maximum at S o'clock. But
one other day this season has equaled
yesterday in heat record. On Wednes
day, August 8, 92 degrees above was
registered.
Hourly temperatures yesterday, from
the Weather Bureau readings, were as
follows: At 5 A. M., 65; 6 A. M.. 64;
A. M., 5; 8 A. M., 66; 9
A. M., 69;
; noon, 83;
P. M., 92;
P. M.. 89;
10 A. M.. 74; 11 A. Ml. 77
1 P. M.. 85; 2 P. M 91; 3
P. M.. 92; 5 P. M., 92; 6
7 P. M., 84.
Coupled with the excessive humidity,
which was officially recorded as 68 per
cent at noon, the day was one of more
than ordinary hot-weather discomfort.
and caused an exodus to the river and
woods in the vicinity of the city. The
parks, with their grateful shade, did
not lack for patrons.
The forecast for today is identical
with that which presaged yesterday
fair, with moderate westerly winds.
U. S. A. TAKES HOSPITALS
Field Laboratory Is Being
Con-
structed Near Camp.
PARIS. Aug. 12. The medical corps
of the United States Army announced
Friday that the French authorities had
turned over to It two largo military
hospitals and also a large medical
depot. American base hospital .units
are manning these institutions.
A great field laboratory is under con
struction near the American, training
camp.
SCANDINAVIAN WAR 1 VICTIM
Mines and TJ-Boats Kill 5 00 Men
and Sink 933 Ships.
COPENHAGEN, Aug. 12. Nine hun
dred and thirty-three Scandinavian
ships have been destroyed by torpedoes
or mines since the beginning of the
war, according to the Aftenbladet. Of
this number Norway lost 600, Denmark
187 and Sweden 146.
The number of Scandinavian reamen
lost in these disasters was about 500.
INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS
The Weather.
YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature. 92
degrees; minimum, 64 degrees.
TODAY'S Fair; moderate westerly winds.
War.
Russians report weakening of German of
fensive. Page 2.
Military expert says Germany cannot put
over drive on Western front. Page 2.
German air raid into Essex results In 23
deaths. Page 1.
American tanker Campana, sunk by subma
rine. . Page 1.
Foreign.
Jews leave Holy Land for United States.
Page G.
National.
Bonds favored for raising any war fund in
excess of J2.0U0.000.000. Page 3.
Demand persists for some sort of Congres
sional supervision of war expenses. Page 3.
Gerard tells of further efforts, aided by Von
Jagow, to avert war. Page 1.
Food administrator to matntain stable price
on wheat, by buying whole crop if neces
sary. Page 1.
Domestic
Pacific port decorated for coming Japanese.
Page 2.
First day of San Francisco strike is quiet.
Page 4.
Wireless operators say Roanoke was cap
tured by German raider. Page 11.
San Francisco strikers formulate demands.
Page 4.
"Cy" Noble, "Washington ex-football star,
late for wedding. Page 8.
Sports.
Coast League Results Salt Lake 7-7. Port
land 2-G; Oakland 8-6. Los Angeles 0-5;
San Francisco 2-6. Vernon 3-2. Page 10.
White Sox have hard time keeping In first
place. Page 10.
State Forester to ask Governor to close deer
season until rains forestall lire danger.
Page 10.
Toney, Red pitcher, gets $1000 for winning
twentieth game. Page 10.
Oregon state golf tourney opens at Gearhart
today. Page 11.
Pacific Northwest.
Apple crop of Spokane Valley unhurt by
hot weather. Page 8.
Rev. Billy Sunday says he may go to
trenches to preach. Page 14.
President Kerr not disheartened over Ore
gon's small fund for food campaign.
Page 11.
First draft In Clackamas County, Oregon,
falls short. Page 4.
Portland and Vicinity.
Xen-year-old Victor Mongeau drowned near
Columbia Beacn. rage a.
Troop D goes to Clackamas. Page 14.
Portland will be host this week to British
army officers. Page .
Aviators of allied nations guests In Portland.
Page 1.
Portland realtors praise hospitality of Grays
Harbor cities. Page 8.
Captain and purser of Wapama view Co-
luhbia River fitgnway. page 12.
"Muckie" McDonald blamed for I. W. W. agl-
Butte. Page 14.
Governor Stewart's experience In Butte riots
Is recalled. Page 0.
Heat prostrates Portland youth, first of sea
son. Page 1.
Lumber operators favor eight-hour day.
Page 5.
Corvallls paperhanger Inherits fortune of
$500,000. Fan 5.
Weather report, data and forecast. Pg 12.
Hoover to Take Whole
Crop if Need Be.
"FUTURES" WILL BE BARRED
Exports to Allfes to Be in the
Form of Flour, to Retain
Milling at Home.
BAKING IS INVESTIGATED
Lower Price of Bread Neces
sary if Wage Schedules
Remain Undisturbed.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 12. The
food administration announced to
night its plan for controlling wheat,
flour and bread, revealing that the
Government is prepared to take over
the whole 1917 wheat harvest if
necessary to conserve the supply, ob
tain just prices for America's fight
ing forces and their allies and reduce
costs to the general public in tha
United States.
Establishing of buying agencies at
all the principal terminals, licensing
of elevators and mills, fixing of prices
to be considered fair, regulation of the
middleman and of grain exchanges,
with the elimination of trading in fu
tures, are the chief features of the
plan. The licensing will begin Sep
tember 1.
Minimum Effective in 1918.
The minimum price of $2 for wheat
fixed by Congress does not become
effective until next year, bui the Ad
ministration proposes to exercise a
very thorough control over this year's
crop through po-vers conferred under
the food and export contr ' bills;
Following is the Administration's
announcement :
"The disturbance to the world's
commerce and short supplies has
caused a greater disruption of the nor
mal markets for wheat than any other
cereaL
Normal Trade Interrupted.
"1. As a result of the isolation of
certain of the world's wheat-producing
countries by either belligerent lines
or short shipping, the normal determi
nation of the prices of wheat by the
ebb and flow of commerce is totally
destroyed.
"2. In order to control speculation
and to obtain more equitable distribu
tion of the available wheat and flour
between their countries, the allied
governments have placed the whole
purchase of their supplies in the
hands of one buyer. Also, the Euro
pean neutrals are now buying their
wheat through single government
agents, instead of in the normal course
of commerce. Therefore, the export
prices of wheat and flour and thus
the real prices, if not controlled will
be subject to almost a single will of
the foreign purchaser.
Large Stocks in Reserve.
"3. In normal times, American
wheat moves largely to Europe in the
Fall months. This year, the shortage
of shipping necessitates its distribu
tion over the entire year. Therefore
there is danger of a glut in our ware
house system over a considerable pe
riod. "4. There are large stocks of wheat
which cannot be drawn upon by the
allies during the war, but in the event
of peace, or defeat of the submarines,'
these would be available, and might
seriously demoralize the demand for
American wheat.
This Year's Problem Broad.
"5. It must be clearly understood
that the guaranteed minimum price of
$2 per bushel for wheat, set out in
the food bill, does not apply to the
1917 harvest, but only . to the 1918
harvest, and then under conditions
which must be elaborated. There is,
therefore, no determined price for the
1917 harvest.
"The result of this situation is that
the normal price-making machinery is
entirely broken down, unless some ef
ficient Government action is brought
into play, either: (a) The American
producer may face a slump in wheat,
possibly below his production cost, and
(b) the export of wheat which ulti
mately determines the real price, is at
the will of a single agency; (c) some
one must buy the surplus wheat at any
given moment, and if the surplus
iConcluded on Page 11, Column 2.).
i