.; ir . "v 11 XL II. a- 11 VOL. XV. NO. 351. PORTLAND, OREGON, THURSDAY EVENING, APRIL 26, 1917. TWENTY PAGES. L IT ON DRAFT DEBATE IS SET T Selective Conscription Meas ure to Be Voted by House on 'Friday and Senate on Saturday, Is Program. INDICATIONS SAID TO FAVOR PASSAGE OF BILL Representative Mason, I , nois, Hissed When Mak ; ing Attack on Wilson. "Washington. AprH SC. (IT. P.) The United Stat may have lo raise au irmy of 6.000.0QO men before the war .la. over. This was the declaration late today by Senator MyerB. Montana, of the military committee during me fifth day ot debate on the administra tis conscription bill Myers, favor ing the draft, said he "believes fully this country will send an army over seas to fight In the trenches. '.. Washington, April 26. (U. P.) The house will act on the army bill to- tnorrow. The senate will vote late Saturday, Conscription seems certain to win. "f The lone drawn out debate in the itrue on the question of mlsing 2,000 000 men by draft or volunteering will nd tonight. This was decided today by unanimous consent. Immediately the. house convened. Br the agreement; the house is to continue to talk as long as it can stand it today and this evening. Then to- I' morrow Chairman Dent of the military committee, who opposes the presi dent's draft plan, and Representative Kahn, California, ranking Republican member of the same committee, wno . . . . ' . I . . . . Mi U .11 leaaing me president b iirul, nm make concluding arguments. Speech Hissed by Gallery. v Pyrotechnics started In the house. Bcpresentative Mason, Illinois, de knaAdlns that Colonel Roosevelt be 'permitted to raise an army for Im mediate service m FTance, aeciarea ?th man in the White House has not the couraire or political sagacity 10 Jermlt Colonel Roosevelt to enlist for ftr ha will Droflt politically. , From . floor and galleries Instantly came alnwat-deafenlny-hissing. .which 1 continued several minutes. Mason bitterly attacked the general staffs selective draft plan. Ho said nothing would please the kaiser more than to sea an army of conscription lsts "go to Europe to fight. i Would See XoossTelt Go. UPThey -call It the bill of the general staff. he saia: "Derore iney get. through they will call It 'general de bility and general red tape." The gen eral staff docs not want Roosevelt to enlist. He applied at the White House. , "'The president. I suppose, stamped his application with red ink and re ferred it to the secretary of war. Tbe seeretary? referred it to the assistant" (Ooocluded on Par Two Column One) V "-"7"'" - AMERICAN BUSINESS London Foreign Office Issues Formal Announcement of Decision, " London, April, 26. (U. P.) The for eign --of flee announced this afternoon that the "blacklist" against American firms had been withdrawn. Raising of the blacklist will remove the principal issue that threatened ill- feeling between England ana tne unit ed States. The original blacklist cov ered 85 business firms. Several have since been added. Great Britain announced her black list in July. 1916. It was a formal list. Ing of certain firms all over the world with whom British citisens were for-. bidden to trade. Nearly a hundred American firms were included nv tnis prescribed catalogue. v On July 26. Acting Secretary of State Polk registered America's emphatic protest at this discrimination in a note Addressed to Sir Edward Grey. The blacklist, this note said, "had been re ceived with most painful surprise" by the United States, and the government i was "constrained to regard it as inconsistent with triiA limticA and sincere amity and impartial fair- Mess which should characterize the dealings of friendly governments with one another." .In, the diplomatic interchange which followed England refused to relax the blacklist on the Americans mentioned and tne matter remained still an issue. '.In raising the embargo today, Eng land thus gives fresh proof of com plete unity with her new ally, leaving jX completely to the United States gov ernment to make certain that enemy firms do not trade. The foreign office emphasized that i he blacklist remains operative against neutrals. The sole change is exemption of all American firms. Cholera -and Typhus Imaging in Turkey ' '." . r- ' " - Petrograd, April 26. (I. N. S.) Epidemics of cholerauid typhus , are raging, throughout Turkey, say dis patches from Tlf lis today. .The situa tion is made more serious by the ex cessive shortage of food and medicine. NBO OSES BLAGKUST AGAINST 11 WITHDRAWN Health Bureau . To Get Data on Storage Food If' Supplies Are Being Held for Speculation, Move WU1 Start to Make Them Disgorge. Mayor Albee has instructed Inspec tors of the health bureau to Inspect all warehouses and cold storage plants to determine the amount of available foodstuffs stored in these places.. If It is found that speculators have large quantities of foodstuffs stored, efforts will be made to have them dis gorge. Mayor Albee said today. He would not say how this would be dons, however. The mayor learned from City Attor ney La Roche that the health bureau has he authority to act, and immedi ately instructed the Inspectors to in vestigate. A letter was sent to Vnlte( States District Attorney Reames by the may or Wednesday, calling attention to the fact that 80.000 sacks of potatoes had been held in -storage, but a reply has not been received. American Schooner Is Sunk by U-Boat Seven Shells Hit Percy BlrdsnJl; Tiring s Was Without Warning aad Con tin- X ned While Crew X.eft Snip. Washington, April 26. (U. P.) The American schooner Percy Blrdsall has been sunk by submarine gunfire, ac cording to a state department an nouncement today. The crew was res cued by a patrol boat soon after the attack. Nine or 10 shots were fired, seven of which struck the vessel. Most hits were below the water line. Firing was without warning and continued while the crew took to the boats. The Percy Birdsall was a wooden four-masted schooner of 1128 tons, registered at Perth Amboy. N. J. She was owned by J. Holmes and was built in 1890. Chancellor Insists Strikes Must End Geneva, April 26. (I. N. B.) The labor situation in Germany is still menacing despite the efforts of the government to minimize it. Advices tothis effect were received here today from the border. Dr. von Bethmann-Hollweg, the Ger man chancellor, has sent circular let ters to the governors of the federated states announcing that the government is determined ta suppress ail future labor troubleatvwitha.: strong hand. Shorter hours, increased wages and more food have been promised to wprk men In many of the big munitions plants. ' Government to Pay Low Price for Steel New York. April 26. (U. P.) Steel manufacturers of the country will fill the government's war orders at prices ranging xrom 33 1-3 per cent to 61 2-3 per cent below the present market quotations. At a meeting of heads of th TTniteri States Steel corporation, Republic Steel and Midvale Steel toda, it was decided to fill the government's orders for bars at 42 Eft base per hundred pounds, for plates at i.au, and ior structural shapes at $2.60. Today's Pittaburir nrW fnr these materials are $3.76 for bars, $8 for plates and $4 for shapes. Nevada First With Full Quota for Army wasnington. April 26. CTT t ine state or Nevada is the first state to furnish her full quota of recruits to the United States army, the war department announced today. with zo enlistments yesterday Ne vada's total reached 137 eleven more man her pro rata share of recruits. Pennsylvania led In recrultina- terday with 181 men; Illinois was next with 167; Michigan third with 116. and New York fourth with 107. Illinois is still leading with a total oi ss recruits since April 1. Goal Miners Secure Increase in Wages New Tork. April 2. (T. N. s v Representatives of the anthracite coal miners are retornlng to their homes today confident that the wage increase secured will relieve the tense situation between operators and workmen. The agreement signed here last night in sures them a wage increase averaging 20 per cent and approximating $35. 000,000. The Increase is on a' sliding scale, base, ranging from 11 per ent to a max i mum of 35 per cent. Tho agreement signed was for 11 months. Farr Commandant Of Training School San Francisco, April 26. (U. P.) Lieutenant Colonel Otho W. Farr, Sev enth field artillery, was named today commandant of the officers' reserve corps training school, to be held at the Presidio, beginning May 8. Lieutenant Colonel F. W; Sladen will- be senior instructor. Red Cross Protests Sinking of Vessel Washington. April 26. f I." Nl R. Confirmation of the fact that a gen eral protest to - the German govern ment against the torpedoing of en tente, hospital ships have been made by the international committee of the Red Cross reached here this afternoon. REPUBLIC FOR OF NEW MOVE Minister Stovall at Berne Re ports Open Movement in Switzerland to Spread the Democratic Propaganda PAPER IS ESTABLISHED TO FURTHER. EFFORTS Traveler Says Strike of 250, 000 in Berlin Shows the Desire for Peace. tifc (fc3r Terms May Be Announced. Amsterdam. April 26. (I. N. S.) That Chancellor von Bethmann-Hollweg, will make known in the reichstag next .month the terms upon which Germany will make peace is announced here today by the Tyd, a Roman Catholic newspaper which fre quently is well Informed. The terms, it is declared, will be very moderate and accept able to the entente allies and also to the United States. , Washington, April 26. (U. P.) What may prove to be Important moves to sweep aside Hohenzollernism and replace It with a German republic were reported officially to the state department today from several sources. According to a message to the sec retary of state from Minister Stovall at Berne, an open movement Is on In Switzerland by, a committee of Ger mans to spread 'the propaganda of re publicanism and democracy. - Dr. Roese Meyer, former editor of the Berlin Morgen Post, leads the Switzerland propagandists, who al ready have established a paper. The Freie Zeitung. to further their at tempts to spread the doctrine of a German republic In the Fatherland. From other sources this govern ment learns that the German people "are Increasingly anxious" for peace. Such a message was taken by a traveler, arriving In a neutral coun try, from Germany to state depart ment ofjcJalajnha,nnamed.Jaeutgal nation. This government's emclal so telegraphed the state department to day. It was stated that "the strike of 250,000 laborers in Berlin shows the growth of the desire for peace." Moreover, this , traveler declared. Germany has reduced the bread t ra tions from 1900 to 1600 grams a week. As a result of the "continual strike" at Ebling, the ' department of state Is informed, orders wero Issued by the commander-in-chief of that district that all striking munition workers who have been withdrawn from the front in order to do munition work would have to report immediately to military-headquarters, if they did not j D Hetsel, director of extension serr resume work before April 20. As alce of the Q A c Js aldins. ln ar. result of this, work was immediately raneing" details resumed. Military Controls Germany. Paris, April 26. (I. N. S.) Appar ent efforts of Austria-Hungary to break away from German domination are meeting with greater obstacles than at any other time since the war began. Frontier advices reaching here to day said the military party In Ger many is obviously in complete control now and that the recent latitude al lowed the Socialists is being cut down. ' Peace Hope Is Expressed, ' Amsterdam, April 26. (TJ. P.J Thanks to the heroes of Arras and the Aisne hope of an early peace was ex pressed in a telegram sent by the main reichstag committee today to Field Marshal Hlndenburg. Dispatches from , Berlin said the message promised the entire German people would devote all their strength to the country's defense until peace, which, it is hoped, would come soon. Chicago Wheat Goes To $2.60; Declines Chicago. April 26. (U. P.) May wheat soared to 12.60, the highest price since Just after the Civil war. To ward the close, however, speculators, scared by the highest prices, toon their profits and May went back to $2.54 K. Just 3 cents above last night's close. Other wheat months, after almost as violent gains, registered loss over the opening. Corn and oats followed wheat. Cash grains kept their advance. No. 2 red wheat closed at $2.95 a bushel. No. ; 2 white corn at $1.64; standard oats at 75ic; rye at $2.02 and, bar ley at $1.56. Russia to Set Forth New Aims in War ui Copenhagen, April 26; (I. N. S.) The Russian government has begun the preparation of a note for present a lion to the other entente govern men' petting forth the new war aims of Russia, says a dispatch from Petrograd today. It is understood that the re publican government will reaffirm the previous declaration that Russia will not make a separate peace. England in Favor of Independent Poland London. April 26. (I. N. S.) Eng land today came oat in favor of au tonomy for Poland." Chancellor t, A. Bonar Law announced- in -.parliament that this country -would use every en deavor to see - that Poland realizes her national alma. - - , - - ;r ': ELIHU ROOT, former secretary of state, has been selected as chairman of the commission which President Wilson will send to Russia to help and advise the new govern ment. Mr. Root announced today he has accepted the position. . m i ''''' i- . - 1, X' E CAMPAI STARTED HERE TODAY H eadq uarters 0 pened With it i ill vjiawiuiu hi ,if Plan Bearing Fruit. Portland headquarters for the big Oregon' "food drive" were opened at room 513, Oregon building, today. W. H. Crawford, secretary of the Oregon Development bureau of the Chamber of Commerce, will be in charge. President W. J. Kerr of the Oregon Agricultural college, under whose auspices the food preparedness cam paign will be 'waged, visited Portland iue jjiTjpoHeu Biaie-wiae losiering of agricultural pursuits has already obtained results. News comes from Eastern Oregon that potato acreage will be Increased 20 per. cent over pre- vious years. Heavy increase in the acreage in beans is reported. All Areades to Be Used. In carrying out its plans the central organization will utilize all existing agencies and coordination of efforts will be accomplished. County agents will scour the agri cultural districts, preaching the gospel of food preparedness and giving farm ers every available assistance. Agricultural college experiment sta tlons will perform valuable aid. The department of agriculture Is co operating with the state agencies. Seed sourees will be located and the names of . those In need of seeds will be listed. Financial help will be given worthy farmers. . Labor problems will be studied and every aid given : farmers in the har vesting of their crops. .Minimum wages for this class of workers will be fixed, according to present aims. Marketing problems, one of the most Important phases of the campaign, will. In due time, receive attention. Follow-up work will form one of the objects. . Railroads Lending Aid. Portland's railroad companies aro lending valuable aid. Demonstration trains have already been doing good work on the lines of the O-W. R. & N. Co. Other roads. Including the South ern Pacific, will Join. Vegetable rail ing, poultry raising and canning, form the three chief object lessons. - Food economy will also be emphasized, and committees to-carry onthe work will be formed In each city. Housewives will be urged to put up fruit, vegetables and meats. Shortage of cans and glass Jars looms as a serious obstacle. It in likely that the. drying process may havo to be resorted to In many cases. In struction in these lines will be fur nished. Portland school officials have, prom ised to enlist the eight paid people. They will give advice and assistance to amateur garde vers. Local managers will meet each morning to discuss problems arising. These conferences will Include leaders in the various organizations devoted to vacant lot; and acreage garden ing, etc ' ; Bulletins will be issued keeping the people informed on the general prog ress, scope "and purposes of the cam paign, ij.' " Soldiers Exchange Notes on Firing Line Petrograd, April 26. (I. N. S.) German soldiers are making unremit ting efforts to parley with the Rus sians. Near Riga the Germans put up signs v reading-. "Do. not r attack. ' We iU not." f t . r s FOOD DRIV GN OREGON FORMALLY V ELIHU ROOT WILL BE TO BE SENT TO RUSSIA! Setection land Acceptance Is. Waken as Sign brCamplete Political. Unity in U. 'S. Washington. April 26. Eiihu Root, former secretary of state, today ac cepted the chairmanship of the Ameri can commission which is going to Russia. Root conferred with President Wil son today for an hour as to the pur poses of the commission, and then talked with Secretary Lansing. He would not discuss in any way the com mission's plans In fact, would say nothing whatever as to his connection with it, preferring to let Secretary Lansing make any anouncements to the public. The full personel of the commlsolon, which, in addition to Root, is to In clude railroad experts, financial ' au thorities and two or three prominent representatives of America's business and scientific life, will be announced very soon. Realizing the need of immediately exerting assistance of all kinds to the Russian government. It is the purpose of the president to, send the. commis sion abroad as .quickly as the business affairs of the members can. be set tled. 1 However, the same secrecy as to de tails of leaving and route will be main tained as- was practiced concerning the 1 French and British commissions sent! here. Root s selection and his acceptance was taken as the final sign of a com plete American political unity for the war. Root having, been one of the presi dent's political critics and Roosevelt s former premier. Daylight Saving to Be Voted onFriday The - city r council probably Friday will consider the resolution suggested by Will II. Daly, commissioner of public utilities, calling upon business men and. other Portlanders to- co operate in .a plan to save daylight by moving the clock an hour ahead. The resolution - is .being drafted by the city's legal , bureau. The plan is meeting with approval generally ; In . the Pacific coast cities. In Seattle and-Tacoma all organiza tions' are ' cooperating in the move- j ment. American Prisoner Taken by Germany London. April 28. (I. N. S.) The American consul at Crtasgow this af ternoon reported - that the Germans had taken their first American prls- oner of war. Captains of merchantmen sunk by submarines are usually , taken prison ers by Germany, and this dispatch may mean that an American ship has been sunk. ' .' Sinking of 55 ; Ships ; Arouses- Criticism . London April 2. il: . N. S.) An nouncement of the sinking of 65 more ships by German submarines : led to pessimistic criticism of the shipping situation by many newspapers today. "If fuller details were furnished the case would be found stilt worse, said the "Times. "-'In commenting upon? the reticence of the . admiralty' EA OF COMMISSION SOLID WALL OF i Germans Launch Terrific Counter Attacks Against British Around Gavrelle but Fail to Make Gains. GROUND IS COVERED WITH GERMAN DEAD Carnage Is Declared to Be Greater Than in Any Other Battle of War. I Trench Capture Satire Segment. With the French Armies in the Field. April 26. (U. P.) Thirteen hundred German prls- Mrt oners and 180 machine guns were captured In one swoop of French forces around Ville aux Bols, according to a complete $ tally given out at general head- $ quarters today.- The total of all captures in the fighting jjt around Ville aux Bols was 11 cannon and 3210 prisoners in- 3 eluding one entire Bavarian regiment with all Its officers except the coldtiel. The French evelopment oc- curred April 17, but until to- day the censor withheld de- tails. London, April 26. (U. P. Complete repulse of a violent massed counter attack by German forces against new British positions around Gavrelle was announced In Field Marshal Halgs of ficial statement today. Early at night the enemy again endeavored to attack out new positions at Gavrelle," he said. "His troops were caught In our artillery barrage and completely repulsed." Appalling bosses Reported. Germany Is now suffering her most appalling losses of the war in the des perate endeavors of her army staff to stop the British drive by sheer weight of humaa-masses op'posmg'lt. ' North of the Scarpa river today, where the British fought ahead almost inch by Inch in the face of great masses of men, the carnage was greater than that suffered by the enemy since the war started. Front dispatches today carried the idea that the Germans, realizing no trench works could stand against the levelling fire of the British artillery, were seeking to make a wall of living human beings against the advanpe. Plre Mows Sown Troops. Into the closely packed troops oppos ing the British fire did terrific work. Thousands of mangled bodies are flung over the battlefield along the Scarpe, mostly Germans. The -British losses have been exceedingly low, consider ing the ferocity of the fighting. That the terr'-ble mortality of the German troops Is undermining their morale Is apparent by statements of prisoners. The German troops all of them picked divisions are literally driven into the fighting line now Kaay aiad to Surrender. Those who survive the deadly ac curacy of the British artillery fire and the pounding of the British infantry attacks are exceedingly glad to be tak en prisoners. Today it appeared that the British and the enemy were deadlocked to the north of the Scarpe. The drive toward Doual along this line was being op posed with the Germans every re source. To the south, however, the British pressure could not be resisted and they were slowly moving forward. French Stop Two Attacks, Paris. April 26- (U.. P.) Two tre mendous German attacks made on a front of more than a mile and a half west of Cemy were smashed unavall- lngly against Jfrench lines arid re pulsed amid Tavy losses to the enemy, today's rencn oinciai state ment declared. Powerful German counter attacks at two other places on the French front were likewise repelled The war office statement Indicated that all along the French front the Geimans were making violent at tempts to loosen the grip of French troops on their new positions. Some bitter fighting was reported from half a dozen different points. . 'On the shores of the Olse," the statement said, "a German patrol was easily repulsed. "North of the Aisne several Ger man attempts to eject our troops from the plateau and the Ladles' Highway were unsuccessful. Two powerful attacks on a front of two kilometers west of Cerny were smashed on tne French lines, the Ge: mans losing heavily. One other at tempt at Hurteblse farm also failed "In the Champagne, in the region of Pompelle, in front of Navarla and Tahure, several German attacks only resulted in our capture of prisoners." Terrific Fighting, Says Berlin. Berlin, via London, April 26. (TJ. P.) Terrific fighting In which British attacks were repulsed and by which German troops won their way to the eastern boundary of Gavrelle, was de tailed in today's official report. - Around Arras, the statement said. there were only local attacks, tout south df the Scarpe there were waves of attack, always without artlllerylng. which in some sections leached con siderable violence. - At Gavrelle Ger roan troops are now situated on the eastern boundary. On the French front, around Chemln I des Dames ridge, the statement said the German position was improved and lti prisoners were taken. An enemy attack alone a front of two miles was sanguinarily repulsed. TROOPSWITHERS DURING ATTACK Farmers Are to Be Given Use Postal Savings GoTernment Resources Approximat ing $100,000,000 Will Be Used to Relieve Food Situation. Washington, April 26. (U. P.) To aid the farmers of the nation In meet ing the food situation, the' govern ment today took steps to throw re sources approximating $100,000,000 into the breach. The action was announced by the treasury department that all postal savings deposits will be made immedi ately available for loans to farmers. BRITISH POST HOLDS BY KILLING OFF EVERY ASSAILANT Germans, at Terrible Cost, Manage to Regain Part of Guillemont Farm; By William Philip Simm. With the British Armies Afield, April 26. (U. P.) One single British post, defending Just a part of Guille mont fsrm. emerged 1 victorious todsy from one of the fiercest fought of the countless scattered actions marking a day replete with bitter fighting by killing off every man of their German assailants. It was over a field carpeted with German dead. around Guillemont. Here, during the night the British had battered forward to take the farm and a stretch of front 2000 yards east of Lemplre. Hill 140, to the-nortlf. had fallen Into British hands, after a swaying, desperate battle. Post Stands Adamant. Hardly had the Tommies started to dig themselves in on this hard-won ground when the Teutonic counter attack came In blinding force., The enemy's guns dug great burial hol?s for the thousands of their dead but It HkewTke, by sheer intensity, gave tho advancing Germans a Drier roouioi-i All over the fsxm the battle raged. The enemy managed, at terrible cost. to regain part of it. But to the west, the one British "post stood adamant. 'On it beat wave after wave of the attack. The last and most violent caught full in the face the tremendous fire of the de fenders' machine guns, halted, wavered and literally melted Into heaps of dead and twisted shape- The British held the line. Terocity Abates a Trifle. The Bame sort of fighting was in progress at a score of places on tne British front today, but it naa abated Just a trifle from the ferocity or tne night attacks. There has been no ume for the most part to bury the dead. The Germans, particularly, have been too occupied in reinforcing their bleed ing division and in trying, to launch counter attacks to take care of their now useless fragments. Lverywhere they littered the fields today. Despite these tremendous counter attacks which the enemy, prodigal of his men. Is hurling all along the line, the British are holding their most im portant gains. Air rigatlng Xissseas. Tho fighting today for the most part is along the Scarpe. The enemy Is losing not only In thousands by counter attacks, but everywhere the deadly accuracy of the British artil lery is adding to the toll. Cold, wintry weather, with lowering clouds, lessened the air fighting from the tremendous scale on which the warfare of the skies has been waged during the paat few days of clear, sun shiny weather. Publishers Oppose Press Censorship New York. April 26 (I. N. 8.) Strong protest against war news cen sorship featured the meeting Wednes day of the American Newspaper Pub, Ushers' association at its annual con vention in the Waldorf-Astoria, Hop- well L. Kodgers, president of the as so elation, said American editors can be trusted not to publish the whereabouts of our armies or fleets or give any ather Information helpful to the enemy. Kewanaoer "funnies are threatened by the shortage of print paper. It was a serious topic of discussion t today's session as to the advisability of cutting out "features" and "comics" as a paper conservation measure. Members generally conceded the question of eliminating tho comics was matter for the public to decide. Wild-Game Eggs Knitting Machine ItomX aad round 81 LOST Female pit terrier, brlndle with white breast; reward. Wanted MlsceUaasous ' 8 WANTED to buy 100O cords 4 ft. cordwood. Money advanced. Swap Column 25 WOMAN wsnts Guernsey, Jersey or grade fresh cow in good con lition. Will give old-style high grade piano in good condition, rosewood case, steel sounding board: will not become tinpaimy. v Tor Bale HUscellAaeou l KNITTING machine, almost new, J15. BUck typewriter and case,. $10, or trade. j Fouttry, Pigeons aad et Stock 37 WILD game eggs by mall. Golden. . Silver, China pheasants and wild mallard duck; cheap. '. If your most urgent need is not met In today's wants send, bring or phono you Want Ad to The Journal. . Wants cost but a trifle and are far reaching In their In fluence. . --Jr. PO IN AUCAMIL BE APPOINTED FOOD DICTATOR Herbert Hoover or Secretary " of Labor Wilson Possibly May. Be Named as Result of Conference. ' COMMISSION MAY BE FORMED AMONG ALLIES Domination of Other War Di visions Will Also Probab ly Be Allotted U. S. . Washington, April 26. (I. N. S.) Senators Gore, of Oklahoma, Smith, of Georgia, Smith of South Carol lni, Page of Vermont, and Kenyon of low, were appointed today by the senate agriculture committee as a sub-committee to act with the department of agriculture In drafting emergency food legislation. Washington, April 26. -(U. P.) That come one ' American possibly Herbert Hoover or Secretsry of Labor Wilson within the next few months will become food dictator of the United States and her allies was lnd'- cated by developments at the inter national war conference of the allies here today. More end more the war council's' pro ceedings are crystallising Into a monu mental campaign to feed the allies. r mance and snipping porblems are coming to be considered comparatively collateral, though vital. It was tsken foreranted today that It will be the policy of the allies, after America has made her preliminary contributions to her fighting sister na tions in men. money, foou. shipping and other things, to entrust the United States with absolute control of certain phases of the war. That food will b en of the orob- lems' left entirely In American hands Is believed certain. This will mean that one man or small group of men will be named by President Wilson absolutely to domi nate the production and distribution of all food In the United Sta tee. Eng land, France, .Ualy. Russia, Cuba and the other allied countries. Ijagg-a Com 'sstcf gsgy tea. '- It is deemed probable that this step will Involve the organisation of an lnter-ally food commission, compris ing a director general of food for each nation with the American .dictator as the head of the commission. This. It was officially pointed out. has been the allies' method of handling all its problems. England dominates war finance. Other phases, which It is desired shall not he discussed, as they are not generally known, are under the respective direction of some one or other of the other allies. Domination of War divisions other than food may be allotted to the Unit ed Slates, but food wllj be the most important. The real crux of the conferences going on here todsy la the interna tional reorganization of the war since (Cootinned on Fe Two.. Oolnmu Tar) WOULD NOT DEPRIVE PRESS OF FREEDOM Chief Executive Expresses Himseif Oosed to Muz zling Papers During -War. Washington. April ZC, (I. N. 8.) President Wilson, in replying today to -a letter from Arthur Brisbane, editor of the New York Evening Journal, de clared he would never permit the espionage law, now awaiting enact ment In congress, to prevent honest' criticism of the administration. "I shall not expect or permit any part of this law to apply to me or any of my official acts, or In any way to1 be used as a shield against criticism, wrote the president. "While exercis ing the great power of tho office I hold, I would regret. In a crisis like tho one through which we ar now passing, to lose the benefit - of patri otic and intelligent criticism The text of the president's letter follows: "My Dear Mr. Brisbane I sincerely appreciate the frankness of your In teresting letter of April 20, with refer ence to the so-called espionage bill now awaiting action of congress. "I approve of this legislation, tout 1 need not assure you and those Inter ested -in it that whatever action 4be congress may decide upon, so far as I am personally concerned. I shall not expect or permit any part of this law to apply to roe or any of my official -acts, or in any way to be used as a shield against crltlclsm "I can Imagine no greater disservice to the country than to establish a system of censorship that would deny to the people of a free republic like ' our own their indisputable right to criticise their own .public officials. While exercising the. great powers of the office I hold, I would regret In a crisis like the one through which we are now passing to lose the benefit; of ' patriotic and Intelligent criticism. "In these trying times, on can feel certain only of his motives, which he must strive to purge of selfishness of' every kind, and await with patience PRESIDENT WILSON for the Judgmentvof a calmer day to -vindicate -the wisdom of the course lie - j has tried coneclentiously to follow. "Thanking you for having written to 1 me, cordially and sincerely yours.- -r : fWOODROW WILSON.- - '-v-i y :t!w ... y -' ' ' i ' - i .J mmm