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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (March 24, 1919)
TIIE MORNING OREGOXIAX, MONDAY, MARCH 24, 1919. italy is line Leading Journalist Explains Causes of Unrest. DEATH RATE INCREASES Nation's Efforts for Common Vic torjr Untitles Consideration at Al lies' Hands, Says Writer. BY HERBERT BATARD SWOPE. (Copyright by tha w Tork World- Pub lished by Arrangement.! PARIS. March IS. (Special Cable.) Italy's problem has taken on a new and serious phase. Her territorial and po litical objectives are now subjects of conference study, while the menacing" conomic conditions are being Ignored. Reports from unprejudiced sources show that the fuel and food situation In the peninsula Is acute and that this condition tends to emphasize the po litical unrest and to accentuate a cer tain national neurasthenia always Characterizing underfed peoples. Because Italy's geographical ambi tions have been criticised, there has been disaffection of world Interest in her internal hardships. In order that the story of her privations and present plight might be told, the columns of the World were offered to the Italians, and the following narrative was spe cially written for that purpose by the distinguished and authoritative Jour nalist. Uuglielrno Emanuel, one of tpe editors of the Corriere della Sera of Milan, considered by many the best paper In Italy. It was prepared with official sanction, and the statistics have been subjected to verification. The statement follows: Italy Realises Sltaatloa. "Of ail the European allies. Italy Is the one that best realixes the need and urgency for feeding Germany and the former Austrian territories. Suffering acutely herself from lack of food, coa and other commodities, Italy is in position to understand what starvation and hardship really mean to a nation. Phe gate clear proof of this when, soon after ti e signing of the armistice with Austria-Hungary in November last, in 'response to urgent calls from Vienna, she sent to the capital of the van quished all the supplies that she could collect. "This was a gift whose value depend ed not so much upon its intrinsic worth as upon the fact that in order to pro Tide the enemy with food Italy had ac tually to snatch it from nor own mouth. And this is in no figurative, but in a literal sense, because to make good the deficit which the help -o Austria cre ated in her own stocks, rations in Italy had to be still further reduced. And then, as now, Ital.- was suffering from the panrs of hunger. It will probably come as a shock to the American public to learn that the privations and hardships in Italy have not ceased with the advent of peace, but have, on the contrary, actually been aggravated since the signing of the ar mistice. Ship Arrivals Low. "It w is assumed that the submarine warfate was responsible for the short age which Italy was called upon to endure and did endure with a staunch ness to which President Wilson paid a remarkable tribute in his speeches in Home, Milan and Turin. But while the cessation of sinking of ships since November lust and the suppression of the convoy system, together with the greatly decreased shipment of war ma terial to Europe, would suggest that an increased amount of tonnage was avail able for the revitualing of the less fortunate among the allies, the fact is that never have arrivals at Italian ports been so dangerously low as now. 'In October last, foreign ships on the Ingle voyage system for a total of i.OOO tons were assigned to Italy in addition to her own tonnage, and this had dwindled in March to about one half to 817.000 tons. In October of last year Italy was able to import about 1.300.000 tons of material and goods, and in February only 870.000. Coal, together with wheat and meat, constitute Italy's fundamental needs Italy before the war used to import about 1.000.000 tons of coal per month, bnt now when the requirements are swelled by the needs of the redeemed territories added to the kingdom and by the greater call of industries con nected with the reconstruction of the devastated regions, only 425.000 tons of coal reached Italy during February, while the minimum amount of coal allotted to Italy during the war was 00,000 tons monthly. Reserve Stocks Cone. "The fact Is that Italy suffers tnriav because of the premature relaxation of shipping control decided upon, by the mines, naiy nas no stocks worth men tioning either of wheat or of meat. Meat is practically unprocurable at this moment in the peninsula, although the ration allowed in Milan, where the sup plies are better handled, assumes that each person can have about half a pound, or practically one moderate sized beefsteak, monthly. Some of the richest families are having recourse to horseflesh." "In France, where I have lived since the armistice, meat is not rationed, snd the stipplv is unlimited. Even In Germany, where I have been with the armies of occupation. I have always got meat at every meal, and remark ably cheap at that. I still possess the bill for a luncheon In Saarbrucken, at which an ample-sized beefsteak' with two vegetables was charged at approxi mately SI cents. "The cost of living Is higher today in Italy than in any other country in the world. According to a statistical general index of prices, these have risen since July, 1914. up to August, 1918, from lis to 285 in England: from 100 to S80 In France, and from lis to 538 In Italy. "These figures give some Idea of the suffering endured by the people. The middle class and professional class of families have been underfed to an in credible extent, their incomes being in sufficient to meet the inflated prices for food. The result has been an enor mous infant mortality. Stillborns have Increased in an alarming measure. Death Rate Higher. Before the war Italy boasted of a great excess of births over deaths, 59 deaths against every 100 births, ex actly the same percentage as in Great Britain. In 1917 there were Instead 98.56 deaths against every 100 births while the death rate In England baa only reached 76.65 per cent of the birth rate. Mortality in Italy has enormously ncreased owing to tuberculosis, and has been practically doubled by malaria. In some districts, such as Puglle and Grosscto, about 90 per cent of the popu lation have been on the sick list. The urgency of sending help to Italy cannot be emphasized too strongly. Throughout the war the minimum need of the country have never been, satis. fled, owing to the lack of tonnage and the dangers of navigation in the Medi terranean. The deficit in tonnage for Italy amounted to about 27 per cent, while it was 8 per cent for France and per cent for England. This resulted In an enormous progressive reduction of imports, which have been practically halved, falling from 19,000,000 tons 1912 to 10.500.000 tons in 1918. Of this latter quantity over 4,500,000 tons con sisted of coal and iron and 4,000,000 tons of food. All other forms of im portation had evidently been sacrificed. But now that the war is at an end. Italy trusts that the allies and asso elates will put an end to her pro onged sufferings. When public opln- on abroad Is moved by the pitiful conditions of Germany, It should not be forgotten that throughout the war taly has suffered more than the enemy, he nourishing value in calories of her rations being actually inferior to that of Germany. Italy is still eating war bread and s doing so without meat, although the war ended four months ago. All she has done for the common victory and all that she has suffered for it entitle Italy to be properly fed today. She has the right to return to a human standard of life." OIL ODOR NOTED ITJ Interests Said to Be Eager for U. S. Intervention. "STRONG POLICY" IS URGED Organized Campaign Declared to Be Afoot to Force American Ac tion In Southern Republic lUN OPPOSES JAPAN EXATOR PROTESTS AGAINST RACE EQCAMTV FLEA. Peace Envoys Are Vrgci to Declare Question Domestic One and Out side League Jurisdiction. SAN FRANCISCO. March 23. Press ng emphatic objection to the demand the Japanese delegates to the peace conference at Paris for "race equality and Just treatment." United States Senator James D. Phelan today cabled he American peace delegates at Paris ffirming his view that questions ot mmigration. naturalization, land own- rship and marriage are domestic ques- ons. and, therefore, not to De treatea of in the league of nations constitution. Senator Phelan's message follows: "Lansing, American Delegation, Hotel Crillon, Paris. France. "Any declaration in constitution on "race equality or Just treatment' may construed to give Jurisdiction to league over Immigration, naturaliza- on, elective franchise, land ownership and marriage, and should be avoided. affirmative declaration that these are domestic questions should be made n consonance with established Ameri can policy. Believe western senators and others will oppose any loophole by which oriental peoples will possess equality with white race in the United States. It is a vital question of self preservation. (Signed) "JAMES D. PHELAN." Senator Phelan also sent all western governors and senators copies of his cablegram, and suggested that in a similar manner they reinforce his plea. Peptiron A Re.il iron Tonic Fula Iron Into the blood, giving: nerve strength and endurance, re stores appetite, aids digestion, pro motes sweet, refreshing sleep. If LEARN TO DANCE RINGLER S DANCING ACADEMY ForRTEKVTH ST.. OFF WASUI.UTO.V, New beginners classes starting Mon day and Thursday evening of this week; also new advanced class Friday. SPECIAL COURSE OF S LESSORS. Ladles. SUOl Ueatlemea. S5.0O. PRIVATE 1XSTRICTIOX DAILY. Six LesMaa as.00 Ton should Improve your style of dancing, for it is the essence of the dance as taught here, and a few pri vate or class lessons with ua will do rou more good than a whole series of ordinary lessons. HIGHER RATES WILL STAND Xo Reduction in Passenger Fares When Over S Cents a Mile. SAN FRANCISCO, March 23. Flat in crease of 3 cents a mile of all passen ger rates, which become effective April 1, will not affect fares in excess of that amount where conditions s!iow higher fares Justified, local officials of the United States railroad administra tion said here last night. Previously it had been published that fares more than 3 cents a mile would be reduced to the 3-cent minimum. CROSS CURRENT LOOMING (Continued From First Paire.) at Both Phoaea, Earoli Sow. that of the league committee is a .ed uled to be held Saturday evening, when the American economic and financial sections will be pressed for incorpo ration in th -,flnal treaty. It is hoped at the session to submit reparation flr .res fo- the president's consider ation. The likelihood of vast recovery from Germany lessens -each day. Experts seem inclined to place maximum expec tations of German ability to pay least 130.000,000,000. Assets Shaw Big Shrinkage. Investigators have discovered a big shrinkage of her quick assets, and aeainst this ability must be offset some thing less than Il.opo.ooo.ouo neeaea ior food and almost another $1,000,000,000 to pay for the upkeep of the armies of occupation for another six montns. These two Items bite almost 12.000,000. 000 of available funds at the very out set of calculations. The report was that Walter R. Weyl. the American economist, has gone to Russia on an unofficial mission of in quiry proves incorrect. He did not ac company the Investigators, his place having been taken by Captain Pettit, who went with W illiam C. Bullitt. Polish Claltaa Ocvasy Attention. -olish :aims are occupying the at tention of the council of ten. The Brit ish are displaying strong disinclination toward the cession of Dansig to the new Poland. They prefer restriction f the area by which Poland shall have an outlet to the sea. This attitude may be significant - to the final position that will be taken concerning the sepa ration of the Rheinish provinces from the body of Germany. French ar.d English newspapers are giving much space to the course of American politics regarding the league ot nations. Surprise is expressed in these Journals over the bitter. partisan ship that has sought to create effective opposition to the principle on which practically all opinions in France have crystallised favorably. V. S. Ambassador Coming Home. PARIS, Saturday. March 22. William Graves Sharp, retiring American am bassador to France, has decided to sail tor boms oa April 11. BT ROBERT H. MURRAY. -"'(Correspondent of the New Tork World.) CITY OF MEXICO. March 23. (Spe cial Dispatch.) It might not be a bad idea these days, merely as precautionary measure, to put a "Poison" label on much of the Mexican news. All of it isn't poison, but a fair share of it is. If it f ields a strong oior of petroleum one need no longer doubt. This Is by way of preface to a gen eral consideration of the activities which are being carried on, more or less subterraneously, by various in dividuals with the object of impress ing the American people with the ex pediency of hoisting our flag over Mexico. They have a right to be en lightened as to the tricks which the individuals in question are up to and which they have been up to for sev eral years back. A deliberate, widespread, and more or less well organized campaign is afoot to force American intervention in Mex ico. And the next republican congress Is being depended upon to authorize the Job. Amerlcaa On Group Active. One petroleum group furnishes in splrational power to nine-tenths of the Interventionist propaganda. It is an American group. The beads of this group have labored unceasingly for years to ImpVess its views upon 'nu merous and sundry officials of the United States government, from the president down to congressmen and of ficials of various departments. They have given up the president and some others as bad Jobs, but they are hang ing to senators and representatives especially members of the incoming congress like a puppy to a root. Now as to ways and methods. These are various and far-reaching. Some of them are clever, very. In other ways the work of the petroleum intervention ists is crude and coarse. One of the smartest and most high-brow tricks turned by the group took the form of a general "survey" of Mexico and Mex ican conditions which was set afoot a year or so ago. The idea, which was thrown into shape by an eastern col lege professor out of work, was bought by the head of the group in question. Virtually the idea was bought by that head, for he adopted it in toto and financed It to the tune of at least $100,- 000. besides hiring the intellectual au thor to loss the "survey." The re quired standing and respectability, not to say camouflage, for the enterprise was obtained by Inducing a western university to father it. ' Much "Surveying Done. A drag-net was set for sundry and divers experts to probe into Mexico's political, financial, commercial, social and miscellaneous "innards." Thus a large and impressive list of "survey ors" was cooked up. For reasons not unconnected with the very proper reluctance of the Mexican government to permit to enter the re public the men hired with the petro leum group s money to snoop into Mex ican affairs, most of the "surveyors" were compelled to do their survey- ng" at long range from their com fortable studios in the United States principally by reading books about Mexico and conversing with Mexicans and others who are not in sympathy with the existing government down here. One or two practical men, who were light on their feet but who otherwise could not be classed as first-chop sur veyors, did manage to slip over the border. They gum-shoed about the re public for a while, seeking the occult and finding only the obvious. The interventionists, incidentally are very fond of employing a delightful euphemism for "intervention." They call it "a strong policy." It means the same thing, but it doesn't . sound so alarmingly rough. Speakers Are "Planted." Various unofficial bodies yclept ieon gresses," "conferences," "forums" and the like have been fairly useful to the petroleum propagandists. Speakers whose views upon the Mexican situa tion have been tested for their "sound ness" are expertly "planted" upon these unsuspecting organizations. Usually the keynote of their addresses is pitched upon the injustice being done to property rights in general and pe troleum rights in particular by the Mexican government, and the extreme desirability of the United States adopt ing a "strong policy" in dealing with Mexican affairs. Both the "survey" before mentioned and the guiding spirit of the petroleum interventionist propaganda have their headquarters on the sixth floor of Washington office building, a stone's throw from, the White House. Valiant aid has been given the Inter ventionists by a certain Washington newspaper which for months printed column' upon column of false Mexican "news" calculated to arouse public sen timent in the United States in favor of intervention. All of this news was supplied either directly or indirectly by the petroleum people. Every newspaper correspondent in Washington has long been familiar with the appearance of alleged news articles attacking the Carranza gov ernment rnd painting conditions in Mexico in lurid language which regu larly and anonymously are laid upon their desks. The earning poYer of IDEAL heat! Next time you rent a flat or a house, go to the cellar first. Examine the heating and the outfits. The name "IDEAL" M cast on their fire-doors is your guarantee of 5700 hours of annual winter comfort and fuel economy which will endure for 50 years or more. Tenants can easily pay 15 more rental for property thus sanitarily and scientifically warmed. Stop paying the price of postponement act now and thereby change your house into a horjie! 'Thi3 heating settles it! Let's take it.! ME RrfANy ID T a Radiators These outfits put genuine com fort into your building and keep OILERS up its rental and sales value. EAL The comfort and economy which IDEAL Boilers and AMERICAN Radiators invariably produce have settled thousands of long-standing disputes between coal dealers and their customers. Every coal dealer knows that with these IDEAL-AMERICAN outfits you'll have "no kick coming." These outfits bring the cost of heating down to the lowest possible notch. Besides, the little care-taking and the cleanliness save greatly in housework, and stop ash-dust damage to furnishings! The AKCO WAND Vac uum Cleaner is cellar-set and piped from floor to floor. Put in any new or old home, hotels, of fice build ings, with out tear ing up. Fully guaranteed. Lasts for years. Sold on Easy Payments. Prices reduced 20. Send for catalog. 1 Don't wait for the rush of Fall to put in IDEAL Heating We have made a 25 reduction in prices to quicken and increase new building and remodeling, thus meeting the popular demand to stimulate reconstruction work for demobilized men. Therefore, no need for you to postpone enjoying at once IDEAL-AMERICAN Heating! Don't go through another Winter without remodeling your home, store, flats, hop, school, or church by putting in IDEAL-AMERICAN heating! Quickly placed in old or new buildings. Ask for free book "Ideal Heating." Let us serve you now and enjoy as long as you live the great earning power of this outfit! pDuT I I fmiTio IDEAL Boilers have large fuel pots in which the air and coal luca thoroughly pniz as in a modern tt or oil man tle or burner, thus ex tracting every bit of the heat from the fuel. Easier to run than a stove. ' No eicluaire agent Sold by all dealers AMERICANRADIATOR fOJiPANY Write Department P-13 Yeon Building Portland Public Showroom, at Chicago, ffew York, Boston, Providence, Worcester. Philadelphia, Harrisburr, Newark, Wilkesbarre, Baltimore, Washington, Richmond. Albany, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, Pittsburgh. Cleveland, Detroit. Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Louisville, Atlanta, Birmingham, New Orleans, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, St. Paul, St. Louis, Kansas City, Dea Moines. Omaha, Denver, San Francisco, Los Angeles. Seattle, Spokane, Portland. Toronto. Brantford (Ont.) MEN PROTEST PETEHTl 64TH ARTILLERY HELD BE CAUSE OF FIRE IX FRANCE. Senator Chamberlain's Inquiry Dis closes Loss Was $564; Oregon Boys Complain. OREGON'IAN NEWS BUREAU, Wash ington, D. C. March 22. Senator Cham berlain's office was flooded today with telegrams from soldiers who said they were hia constituents complaining that the 64th artillery is being held at Camp Eustis, Virginia, because of the de struction of two or three billets in France, formerly occupied by the regiment- Inquiry of the chief of staff disclosed that two or three small build ings occupied by the regiment were burned and the 64th is held respon sible for a loss fixed at $564. The men are anxious to be discharged and protest that their dentention is an injustice. Senator Chamberlain's office was not aware of any Oregon men being in the filth, but took the matter up with the war department Among the Oregor men signing tele grams are Leroy R. Kimball, William A. Brlnson, B. Tuller, S. L. Parrish and Lee Webb. Captain W. L. Tooze, Jr., of Dallas, Or., who has been an instructor for some time with the student army training corps at Mount Vernon, Iowa, arrived in Washington today on official business. Senator Poindexter will depart Mon day for his home at Spokane, speaking against the league of nations at Cincin nati and St. Louis. The present plan is to speak at Portland before return ing to Washington. Woman Named Deputy Auditor. CENTRALIA, Wash., March 23. (Spe cial.) Miss Beatrix Crabbs, employed at a local garage, has been appointed deputy Lewis county auditor for the issuance of automobile licenses, the ap pointment being made for the conven ience of Centralia auto owners, who would otherwise have to go to Chehalis. Mrs. Mary Ta'uscher Friday was ap pointed registration clerk In the Agate precinct by the Lewis county commis- PIANOS ON SALE THIS WEEK Both High-Grade and Medium-Class Instruments Are Offered at Big Reductions. A partial list of pianos and players that go on sale, today and may be found on our "Musical Floor," the Seventh, include: Knabe, first quality ...$600 Weber Player, first.... $850 Fischer, second $325 Bush & Lane, Player, almost new, lesser quality $650 Bradley, almost new, lesser quality $290 Kensington, lesser quality. . .$275 t'rWWa. of o Merit Onby sioners. She succeeds Mrs. Theresa Bichsell, resigned. Captain W. L. Tooze Wins Honor. OREGOXIAN NEWS BUREAU, Wash ington, D. C, March 23. Captain Wal ter L. Tooze, Jr., of Dallas, Or., who is here for a few days' leave from h i s work with the student army training camp at Mount Vernon, Ia will be ad mitted to the bar of the supreme court tomorrow. Captain Tooze will not be discharged until August, at which time he will open a law office in Portland. Emil Brann Drops Dend. PHrCAGO. March 23. Emil C. Braun, who came to Chicago in 1893 as Ger many's official electrical engineering representative at the World's Colum bian exposition, and afterward was chief engineer of the St. Louis street railways for several years, dropped dead here today. His widow is a daughter of Louis Willich, founder of Puck. Four Dance mi 4HW viSh6rman iff I Dandy Records Which Should Be in Every Home for Informal Dances "Sweet V Pretty," Fox Trot by All-Star Trio and "Oui, Oui, Marie," Medley One-Step by Pietro 85c Two One-Steps 85c Oh, Frenchy" and "Me-ow" Played by Joseph C. Smith's Orchestra Rockin' the Boat," Fox Trot and The Girl Behind the Gun,"Medley One-Step - Played by Joseph Smith's Orchestra 85c "Leave It to Jane," Medley Fox Trot and Rambler Rose," Medley One-Step Played by Joseph Smith's Orchestra $1.35 ay & Co. SIXTH AND MORRISON STREETS, PORTLAND (Opposite Postoffice) Seattle Tacoma Spokane Victrolas $25 to $400 Convenient Terms f