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About Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 19??-1918 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 31, 1915)
DAILY EDITION VOl VI., No. Hit. 1 GR4NT8 l'A88, JOSEPHINE COUNTY, OKEOON, FIUWAY, DECEMBER 81, 1915. WHOLE NUMBER 1082. No Other Town in the World the Size of Grants Pass Has a Paper With Full Leased Wire Telegraph Service. fa i , LE B AlfllH Curtain Goes Down lor King Alcohol in Three Great Northwestern States With Coming ol the New Year Portland, Ore., Dec 81. At ouu inluulo pant 12 o'cloc k tonight 2,100 aloous will go out of existence and tho throe big status of the Pacific northwest will eater tbe "dry" column. Prohibition, or near-prohibition, take effort In Washington, Oregon and Idaho simultaneously, Increasing the total "dry" area In the United States by nearly 40 per cent During the last month the stores of liquor in the bands of saloons and wholesale houses have practically dis appeared. Much of It was sold to those who heeded the admonitions of big banners In front of every "family liquor store" to "Stock Up For the Drought" Hoi Tint Tonight Today many saloons In every city throughout tbe northwest are dis mantled but, nevertheless, they are prepared for the biggest night's bust noes In history. Tables In tbe big cafe of Seattle, Portlan.1, 8Kkano And Tacotna were at premium, and preparations were being made to un cork tbe last few bottles of cham pagne. "Wets" and "drya" alike point out that neither Washington nor Oregon will have real prohibition. The laws of these two states are practically the ante, and allow the shipment Into the state of liquor In small quanti ties. Idaho's law, on the other hand, la what the prohibitionists call "drum tight." Fight Ahead for Idalio The Idaho "drys" still have a bard fight before them. They failed to Lave prohibition written Into their constitution by voi of the people. Instead the legislature passed a pro hibition law. The "wets" now have this law before the United States aupreme court on apptsl, but mean while the district attorneys, sheriffs and police In every county and city in the state are preparing to clamp down the lid at tbe stroke of twelve tonight. Portland, Doc. 31. Tbe saloon's last day In Oregon was not a very wet one. Today Portland was al ready so near dry that the transition tonight will make little difference, as far as the general public Is con cerned. There is an actual famine of strong drink. The few quarts remaining sold for twice their normal price. Some householders who stocked up arly took advantage of the high prices and unloaded some of their bonded goods to the saloons. Beer flowed rather froely today. There Is plenty of it in kegs, but 1 liottled bcor has boon an unknown commodity for a weok. The pros pect this morning was that tonight's crowds will be drinking nothing 'but Toeet. ' A few saloons Btoppod selling whiskey altogether. Most of them responded to the calls for whiskey, "but the bartenders themRolves would not guarontee the article they served. Detectives haunted saloons, frequent . ly sampling tbe wares to soe that the saloonkeepers, In a burst of last day enthusiasm, did not make their decoctions vile enough to 1)e unlaw ful. The owners of two retail liquor ttoros spent last night In the county IbII for selling burnt sugar and water tor port wine. Authorities expected more complaints of this sort when f Continued on page 4) ONIG smit no GUILTY DF MURDER FOR DflMTIIIG Los Angelvs, Dec. 31. Found guil ty of first degree murder, M. A. Schmidt, alleged accomplice of J. U. McN'mnara In the dynamiting of the Times building In 1910, faced life Imprisonment today. Mo enn not be banged, as the Jury entered a plen for clemency In Its verdict, fixing the penslty at life. Judge Frank Willis announced that ho would sentence Schmidt Mon day, but t the time the rasa will bo continued until January 12 at the request of the defense, which will ask time to prepare arguments for a new trial. The verdict sgatnst Schmidt was found on the first ballot, all Jurors voting "guilty of murder in the first degree." It took two ballots to fix the penalty. Schmidt received the shock with calm. Olat Tveltmoe, Sun Francisco labor leader, bis face flushed scarlet, sprang forward as court adjourned and Schmidt was taken back to Jail, while Katberlne Schmidt, bis sister, wept. Tveltmoe cried, "Send word to Lincoln Steffens that the golden rule is off. There will be a 10 years war In Los lAngeles. They shall pay for this." In Jail today Schmidt refused a formal statement. All he would say was: "It's all In a lifetime." He visited with his sister and .one of his attorneys, Job Harriman. All eyea are now turned on David Captan, Schmidt's co-defendant. He Is to be tried next. Today he ridi culed "a report that Urn hai waCe known his willingness to confess. He said he had nothjng to confess, and that the battle was Just beginning. may mini nox caiih FOR THE RUSSIANS 1 Portland, Dec. SI. Bids for the manufacture of one thousand box cars for the Russian government are being submitted to several north western contractors, according to a report which Twohy Brothers of Port land today refused to confirm or deny. The cars, It Is said, are to be delivered in Seattle. CALL LEGISLATURE OF CALIFORNIA III SPECIAL SESSION San Francisco, Dec. 31. Governor Johnson announced today that he would Issue within 24 hours a call for an extra session of the California legislature to convene January 5, at 2 p. m. In a statement Issued, the governor gave his reasons for calling the ex traordinary session, and declared It should not require more than four days nor cost more than 110,000. The legislature will take up, with a view to repealing, the primary regis tration statute passed by the last legislature, which has thrown the election laws of the state Into chaos. The proposal to utilize the California building nt tho exposition for the stato normal school, and additional legislation for the continuance of the San Diego exposition will also come up. . , IWUOLKl) OIIHUON CONVICT FIGHTING IN TRENCH KS (By United Press Leased Wire.) Salom, Dec. 81. A parole from the penitentiary on condition that he report, each month to District Attor ney Rlngo Is not very Irksome to John Schuls, convicted a year ago of assault with a dangerous weapon, Today the district attorney has ft re port from 8chuls, dated "somewhere In France," where he Is wielding dangerous weapons with the full sanction of the law, AUSTRIA BACKS D01 AU.S.DEIi ' Til I I Reply to the American Protest Over Sinking by a Sub marine d the Ancona Without Warning Dispels the Clouds, and Complies, in a General Way, With the Re quirements Imposed by t: e United States Government t l' f POINT IN INOFFICIAL VKH810N ANCONA KKI'LY Austria bad ordered punlsu- ment of ber submarine coai- luuiidur, as demanded by Amer- lea. In effect, grauted disavowal of the torpedoing and agreed to t reparation for lives lost. Concurred In the principle that enemy vessels, unless they 4 flee or resist, shall not 'be de- stroyed until persons aboard are 4 rescued. Refused responsibility for 4 deaths due to panic among the 4 4 crew. 4 4 Desires to maintain friendly 4 4 relations. 4 4 Leaves the way open for fur- 4 4 tber negotiations, tut on com- 4 4 paratively minor points. 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4- 4 .Washington, Dec. SI. There will be no break 'with Austria over the' torpedoing of the Italian liner An tW with loss of ..JAmerlean Ibttt'fOK admitting-that ber command Tbe danger of a severance of dipid , . ., , matlc relations la past. Austria In her reply to the second American Ancona note has "substantially com- piled" with the administration de- mands. This was the official view today following receipt of unofficial ver sions of the note, handed to Ambas sador Penfleld at Vienna, This view lacks only President Wilson's final approval after he reads the official reply. Further negotiations In the case are probable, but only on minor points, for Austria has met the chief issues demanded by America. A wave of relief swept over (he state department following publica tion of the unofficial text today. The official text waa expected before night. M repeatedly forecasted by the United Press, Austria In her reply has shown a desire to make severance of dlplomatio relations Impossible. Moreover, tbe reply bears out the report of Carl W. Ackerman, United Press staff correspondent at Berlin, saying that Austria would meet American demands and go as far as possible to preserve the exlsltlng peace hetween the two countries. In effect, the reply granted Amer ica's speclflo demands for disavowal ALL REPUBLICS OF III F N J (By United Press Leased Wire.) Washington, Dec. 31. Creation of a defensive alliance that would put the power and resources of tho 21 American republics behind the Mon roe doctrine, It became known today, Is the real purpose behind the pro posed convention among them. While ostensibly this convention Is for set tlement of boundary disputes, and while Secretary Lansing would not discuss the broader proposition, dele gates to the pan-American Scientific congress declared that such, a move ment Is on foot. It will prove, they said, the most powerful alliance In the history of the world. Included In suggestions made for the alliance are: Creation of standing armies, the sice of each to be determined In the of tbe torpedoing, for punishment of ' the commander, and for reparation. V' There was elation because she even went so far as to give assurances for 'the future conduct of ber submarine J warfare according to the principles of International law. I It was held she did this in the fol- lowing, quoted from the unofficial text: Tl "The Austrian-Hungarian govern- T I ment can positively concur In tbe principle that enemy private vessels so far as they do not flee or offer re sistance, shall not be destroyed be fore the persons aboard are rescued. :, This is the most Important Aus trian concession, even more definite than any yet secured from Germany la the Lusitania case. This comes direct from the Austrian government and applies to all enemy ships, where as in Germany's case ber only pledge is Ambassador von Bernstorff's note applicable only to "liners." President Wilson is not expected to insist to tbe point of an open break upon a specific and definite dis- avowal. Officials believe that Austria substantially disavowed the torpedo- torpedoing the Ancon. while passengers were still aboard, tnd by orderInf punl8hment foP hIl act Austria's refusal of responslbll lty tor deaths due to panic among the crew, as quoted In the unofficial text, Is not regarded as Important, nor as an evasion of the disavowal demand. Officials do not expect any hitch or quibbling over the demand for reparation for lives lost. Aus tria's liability will be arranged In personal conferences between Secre tary Lansing and Charge d'Affalree Zwledenek. Further, officials are gratified at Austria's unexpected willingness to pay without proof of whether tbe Uvea were lost in the shelling or torpedoing or through the negligence of the crew should there be difficulty In establishing Just how some came to their deaths. The probable effect of Austria's answer on Germany In the Lusitania case Is regarded as Important, and It is hoped that the Austrian compli ance now clears the way to similar German action. New York, Dec. 31. Publication of the Austrian reply In the Ancona case sent up some stocks three points today on the most active trading in weeks. AMERICA convention, and subject to call for the defense of any one republic. Creation of navies along similar lines. Promulgation of a code of laws for regulation not only of boundary dis putes, tut also to deal with commer cial, Industrial and financial matters. An agreement that no one will make an offensive or defensive treaty with any government outside the western hemisphere. Establishment of a court from rep resentatives of the subscribers to the pan-American alliance, to settle all disputes. Establishment of an International police force, distinct from the regular army and navy, to put down revolu tions when the court decides such outbreaks are not supported by a ma- Ml ALLIANCE BRITISH CRUISER rUTAL SUHK WITH 1 1,1 ABOARD London, Dec. 31. Three hundred and twenty-five men aboard the 13,- 6 6 0-ton British cruiser Natal, sunk by an Internal explosion In a harbor yesterday, have not been accounted for. Four hundred were saved. The admiralty announcement of her sink ing said merely: "The British cruiser Natal was sunk by an Internal explosion In a harbor." Details as to what harbor or the reasons for the explosion were not given. The Natal, 480 feet In length, with a 73-foot beam, was 'built In 1903. Her speed was 30 knots an hour, and she carried six 9.2 and four 7.6 inch guns. Immediate investigation of the sink ing has been ordered. The govern ment withheld news of the disaster for nearly a day in order that It might ascertain the number of sur vivors. It Is believed that many, if not all, of tbe survivors were on shore at the time of the explosion and owed their lives to this fact FORD PEACE EXPEDITION IS IN COPENHAGEN Copenhagen, Dec. 31. The Ford peace expedition arrived here today on the last lap of their Journey. Busi ness Manager Plantiff is trying to charter a yessel to take tbe delegates to The Hague, but it is probable, how ever, that the party will accept the Stockholm mayor's Invitation to re turn to Stockholm for their peace OQa,7rijce. .Th- maaaeT have abandoned all hope that Germany will permit the expedition to cross that country to reach The Hague. GREECE SENDS ANOTHER PROTEST TO THE ALLIES Berlin, Dec, 31. Greece baa sent a second protest to. the allies on ac count of their work of fortifying Salonlkl, said an Athens dispatch to day. ' ENGLISH CABINET CONSIDERS BILLS London, Dec. 31. Rumors today were that Chancellor of the Exche quer McKenna, President Runciman of the board of trade and Sir John Simon, secretary of state for home affairs, will resign from the cabinet because they are opposed to the gov ernment's proposals for conscription. There was no confirmation of rum ors that Lewis Harcourt, first com missioner of works, has quit the cab inet, though reports that he is to become viceroy of India are credited in many quarters. Harcourt himself is silent on the matter. The resignations of the other three had been rumored previously, but it was believed that Premier Asquith had conciliated them. Hence, renew al of the reports caused a sensation in government circles. Three 'bills have been presented to the cabinet sessions. Lloyd-George's provided not only for enrollment of unmarried men, but also for drafting married men, if necessary. The other bills were less drastic. ' The cabinet met for two hours, with every member In attendance, but no statement was Issued afterward. Jorlty of the people In the affected country. 1 Director John Barrett of the pan- American union had this to say con cerning the proposal: "Whatever may be the results of this war, there may be afterward little or no love for the United States and other American nations. They must stand together for eventuali ties." . - CONSCRIPTION FORM Germany Ready to Consider Any Proposition From Her Enemies, But Content to Continue War, Says OSchl By Carl W. Ackerman. Berlin, Dec. 31, via Sayrllle. Tbe foreign office today took official cog nizance of the Wolff News agency's Zurich dispatches, quoting Germany's possible peace terms, when Baron Mumm von Schwarzenstein, special adviser, denied emphatically that Germany is maneuvering for peace. "Our military, financial and econ omic condition is such that we can Just as well make peace as to con tinue the war," said the baron. "Which of these possibilities become a fact depends not upon us, but upon our opponents. As the chancellor said, we will consider every proposal which is made, but as for ourselves, we have no propositions at present" The baron, who had Just conferred with Foreign Secretary Ton Jagow, continued: ' "We hare not made up our mind about any peace. The government 1 anxious to express clearly and dis tinctly that It had nothing to do with the contents or publication of the Zuriu'artiae." It Is not our custom to express i our opinions' in a round about way in the neutral press." He said this applied equally to re ports frequently started In America from alleged German sources. "The chancellor stated details of our positions concerning peace In the relchstag December 9. We still hold the same view, and we shall not change it, despite the shouting which may arise In the foreign press." Besides being special adviser to von Jagow, Schwartsenstein is ex ceptionally intimate with the kaiser. He formerly was ambassador to Japan. , , - ' " ::n Gletulale Man Passes Away 'I Cleveland Weaver Holtz. of Glen- dale, died of tuberculosis early yes terday morning at the home of hi father, E..F. Holts, in Glendale. The young man was twenty-three years old and of rugged physique, but re cently fell a victim of rapid tuber culosis and all efforts to check tts Inroads failed. He spent some time in southern California, but failed to improve. Mr. Holts was well known as Glendale's star left-handed pitcher. He was single, but members of his family now living are his parents and three brothers. He was 'burled to day at the Glendale cemetery, AS PLOTTERS TO FIGHT (By United Press Leased Wire.) Washington, Dec. 31. Former Congressman Fowler, H. B. Martin and Herman Schultels appeared be fore U. S. Commissioner Taylor today and gave $5,000 bonds for their ap pearance In New York In connection with Indictments charging them with being , anti-ally plotters In Labor's National Peace council. Congressman Buchanan of Illinois, also under indictment, agreed with the department of Justice that he will go to New York Tuesday to plead and will give ball there. It Is . under stood that Fowler, Martin and Schultels will fight extradition. Their hearing Is set for January 20. ME NDICTEO EXTRADITION il2