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About Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 19??-1918 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 4, 1916)
DAILY EDITION ; VOU VI., So. 00. GRANTS rASS, JOSEPHINE COUNTY, OREGON, Tt'ESDAf, JANUARY 4, 191oV 'ft . WHOLE NUMBER 1634. No ,er own in the World tbo Size of Grants Pass Has a Paper With Full Leased Wire Telegraph Service. 0 o; 0 CONTENDFQR ISIYOF ADRIATIC Montenegrins and Austrians in Struggle Near Town of Cattaro, Naval and Land Forces , Being Engaged Koine, Jan. 4. A desperate and ' Important struggle (or mastery of the Adriatic I ratting near the Autttrlan town 'of Cnturo, normal port outlet for Montenegro, by naval and land force and tho Montenegrins The, Austrian! are determined to capture); Mount Lowcen, J'tho Gibraltar of the Adriatic," on the Gulf of Cattaro, for Hi retention by the Montenegrin threaten the Austrian hold on Cat taro. This hold U Important by vir tue of the fact that ilnce war started Auitrla has made Cattaro ber naval base for operation in the Adriatic, Aegean' and Mediterranean. The place la Impregnable from the sea, while from land It can be attacked only from Mount Lowcen, where the J Montenegrlni a year ago installed heavy artillery. For the past ally day the Aus trian have been attempting to drive out the Montenegrins. If the Monte negrlns can hold their positions, they man later, with allied assistance, to drive the Austrian from the bew,! rm" not been But until the Austrian grip; a thlaP1 from the seas, America took point ha 'been loosened, the Teuton can continue to dispute allied naval supremacy tn the Adriatic. i SIB JOHN SIMON IRESIH PLACE ON El CABINET ' the armed condition of the Persia. London, Jan. 4. Premier Asqulth Moreover, it Is understood Germany today conflrmod reports that Sir John 'Wlll back Austria in uch a position. Simon had resigned from the English An important phase of the issue cabloot. HI announcement was made (hlnges on the question whether a in the house of commons following a nner carrylng guns la Immune from two and one-half hours' .session of atUck t,y aubmarlnes without warn he cabinet, from which Simon waa tng. .. . Absent. Despite contrary reports, the America' modified attitude I ex Chronicle today aald positively that pected to meet the German objection Ireland will not be included In the to assuming responsibility for attack cope of the conscription bill the ' on merchant vessels carrying gun up .government is introducing tnu ween. Although reports have been cur rent for several day that other mem ber would quit aa a result of forcing conscription on the nation, every oth er member attended the cabinet ses sion. Simon was a liberal who served as attorney general, in "the previous cabinet. . There was talk at the first of the "war that he planned to quit because of his opposition to the struggle, but waa dutorrod from this by roason of Germany's violation of Belgian neu trallty. GENERAL HUERTA IS NEAR TO DEATH AT EL PASO, TEXAS . . Tfl Pnso, Jan. 4. Qetvorul llucrta, once Mexico's "Iron man," is gradu ally sinking, and hi death Is mo mentarily expected. , ' ' A clergyman and his family pray ed beside his bed this afternoon fcfter a third operation hnd beon perform ed on htm and a quantity of pus hnd teen removed from his body through an Incision 'In "bis right side. " Physi cians are 'In constant attendance. V REGRETS Sill OF P,0. LIB PERI . Jierllu. Jan. 4. Regret I almost universally expressed here ovor the sinking of tbo 1. & 0. liner Persia, while heroic t (Torts were in progress to repair Teuton-American relations. No Information concerning the na tionality of the attAcklng submarine I obtainable and official refuse to romment upon tho Incident until a report has Uvea received from the commander. The newspapers today carry Eng JIhH reporta'of the sinking, with Eng lish report of the effoct the incident ha produced on America. The Ger man paper, however, refrained from comment of their own. UNITED STATES TO I SHIP ARMAMENT Washington, Jan. 4. Secretary of State Lansing today informed Ger man Ambassador von Bernstorff in formally that the state department 1 considering modifying Its position In regard to the carrying of gun on merchant vessels. The gun Issue arose with the torpe doing of the Lusltanla. Germany at first contended she was an armed ship, though It wa understood that "h ltr withdrew this contention the position that smell gun might be mounted on merchant ships aa a defenalve measure. Lansing told the ambassador that change in naval warfare resulting from the extensive use of submarines and the absence of German warship j front the sea bad resulted in Amer ica' changed position. It was unofficially atated in Teu- jIVUIV VIIICD lUh I1VUIU lb UVTOIUff an Austrian submarine sank the Per sia, Austria will Insist the command ter had right to do thus, In view, of a the slse of alx-lnch caliber. SAYS SERBIA'S PLIGHT IS WORSE 1 Snn Francisco, Jan. 4. "Serbia as a nation can not die. Oppressed for hundreds of year by the Turks, even this war can not down her. She will rise again. Her people are the most wonderful human beings on earth." This was the statement of Dr. S. 0. Bensley, prominent San Francisco physician at tho Lane hospital, who Is home from Belgrade, whero he served four months with. tho Red Crow unit. :' ; "SorbloV, plight Is harder than Belgium's," Bald he. "Sorbla Is com pletely surrounded by her foes. She is cut off from her allies. 8ho threw herself Into tho broach and sacrificed herRelf to save others." Dr. Bensloy said, that groat care should bo exorclRod In American aid advanced to tho Serbians. Tie said no American should contribute un less the suppllel hi money 'bouijht were' consigned direct to the Ser bians,.' Jherwlso, Dr. DeaBley In timatedthey might be confiscated by her enemies. MODIFY VIEWS BELGIUM'S 8 i 18 SAYS PRESIDENT WILSON Executive Summons Leaders to a Conference, and in a Statement Says That He Will Act Promptly When De tails of the Sinking of the Persia Are Received, the Affair Having Complicated International Matters Washington, Jan. 4. President Wilson issued a statement today in which bo admitted' that tbo situation between Austria and America la very grave. He Is co-operating with Sec retary Lansing in an effort to got full facts as to recent submarine activi ties, and as soon aa three are ob tained be will act promptly. The statement, issued through Secretary Tumulty, ald; "The president and secretary of state are taking every means possible to obtain facta in this grave matter, and will act Just as soon a informa tion la obtained." The grave matter referred to was the sinking of the Persia and other liner, following closely on Austria' reply in the Ancona case. The president decided not to call the cabinet today, but he conferreed with Chairman Stone of the senate foreign affair committee and will confer with Secretary Lansing In an effort to gather all available evi dence In the (Persia sinking. That the situation la very critical, the White House admitted unreservedly. ' a Li. - . . ... ... i ur ma couierence wun tne pre sident, Senator Stone declared that the administration, at present, lacks facta concerning (he Persia, and that nothing will be done until these are Cbtalned. . ; "" ' Chairman Flood of the house for eign affair committee, followed Stone to the White House and it was learned that the president had sum moned both. From thia It was as sumed that he perhaps desired to take them somewhat Into the con fidence of the administration. Officials do not regard evidence thus far at hand In the Persia case aa conclusive of torpedoing. Navy authorities say that possibly she struck a mine, and in support of this theory they pointed to the fact that the quick' plunge she took made the torpedoing theory eomewhat doubtful. SURVIVORS VIEW HORRIBLE SCEHE AS PERSIA" PLUNGES WITH 1 (By United Press Leased Wire.) London, Jan. 4. Scenes of horror preceded the plunge of the P. & O. liner Persia, victim of a submarine, in the Mediterranean. She turned turtle while lifeboats were getting away from her elde. The waves washed more than a score of passengers from the deck. Then the giant ship dipped sharply, sending shrieking women and children slip ping into the water. Before the eyes of survivors, she rolled over and went down while a score Btlll clung to the decks. The admiralty today abandoned hope that American Consul McNeely had been saved, although 11 persons, including Lord Montagu, were re ported tn late advices to have landed at Malta. Official still estimate that from 260 to 300 persons perished. Consul McNeely was In the cabin when the ship wa hit, and wa one of tho lost lo reach the deck, sur vivors said. 'Most of the other mis. sensors were At luncheon, without a thought of danger. Those on deck strapped On life belts while the crew worked with the lifeboat. Nearly 70 crowded Into one boat; when it etruck the water, the wave, lapped over It and threatened to sink It. "GRAVE" The presence of guns aboard the fersla complicate future rather than immediate action. The main fact of no warning remains. : It la lmporbable that a submarine could see guns on. the Persia; and whether, these were for offensive or defensive action 1b a question for future discussion in the matter of technicalities. , The president, too, conferred with congressional leaders, including Chairman Stone of the senate foreign committee and Chairman Flood of tbo house foreign committee, and be called a meeting of the senate foreign committee for tomorrow. While he decided not to call a cab inet session today, he summoned Stone 'and Flood to discuss the situ atloa with them in order that he might have their co-operation In caae a breach In relations with the central powers becomes necessary. After these conferences, It waa of ficially stated that no action will he taken until further detail of the Persia caae are at hand. However, the Intensity and delicacy of the altn atlon permeated the White House. the 'etate department, congress and diplomatic circles. On every hand the talk showed that authorities look, ed at the recent torpedoing, follow ing o closely on Austria' Ancona note.: aa presenting aa omlnou altn atlon. , , . ',,.,. , A a result of their conferences. Stone and. Flood prepared to prevent discussion of. international problems on the floor of congress. Adjournment of the senate eased thl task, inasmuch a several mem ber were primed for a verbal explo alon. ...';":. ' The president and chairmen dis cussed all eventualities, and the freest consultation and ce-operation between congress and the White House was assured if breaking of diplomatic relations becomes neces sary. Thereupon some were transferred to another boat Many survivor leaped from the careening ship, or were washed from the deck before she sank. Several floated for hours, desperately cling ing to bits of wreckage. The sound of hymns rose from those in the lifeboats, above the screams of women and children, as survivors -struggled in the water alongside the Persia, Charles H. Grant, of Boston, said today at Alex andria, according to press dispatches. Grant was at luncheon, he said, when there came a sudden explosion as though the boiler had blown up. In orderly, manner the paesengers went oit deck. The starboard boats could not be put overside because of the listing. Grant htmself slid off the ship, entangling his foot in a rope as he wont overboard. He was picked tip and then, after rowing around some time, waa taken aboard by a British cruiser and taken to Alexandria.- He Indicated that' the vessel sank with great rapidity. E. P. Anthony, a hide dealer of McMlnnvlile, has been in the city for several day looking up local busi ness. . ., . :, OREGON SUNDAY HUE LAI1; HELD 1ISTIT0TIAL Portland, Jan. 4. The Sunday blue law probably will be enforced throughout' Oregon next Sunday. A sweeping decision handed down by three federal 'judges declares the statute constitutional and entirely within the police power of the state. For the present Portland will "be exempted from tbe operation of the law, for a temporary Injunction has been Issued by a local court prevent ing its enforcement. ' The law was passed in 1864 and slumbered on tbe statute hooks until six months ago. Under its provisions theaters, butcher shops, bakers and livery stables are the only places that may remain open on Sunday. Gar ages, groceries, confectioneries,' and every other sort of a shop must close. Newspapers are not exempted. BRITOIIS FAIL TO RESPOND TO CALL TO TAKE UP ARMS London, Jan. 4. Scarcely more than half of England's men of mill tary age came forward to tho call of "Your King and Country Need You," while Lord Derby's conscription cam. paign waa on. Figures obtained to day, showed 2,829,261 enlisted out of 6.011,441 subject to service. .'i This mean thai only- 64 per -cent of England's available fighters vol unteered. These figures, announced officially, were given out to show the failure of the Derby scheme and to prove thai conscription is necessary, At the same time, the cabinet com pleted Its conscription hill to force an increase la England's enlistments, Attention waa called to the fact that 651.160 men can be added br drafting only unmarried men, not urgently needed In other occupations. It waa understood, however, that the government will not draft mar ried men for the present It is prob able that It will call upon a part or all of the 651,160 unmarried above mentioned. TROUBLES AHEAD WORRY MEMBERS OF Washington Jan. 4. A cloud the foreign situation hung today over the reassemfbllng of congress af ter ita holiday recess. With vital national problems ahead, the gravity of members over the International situation iwas pronounced. Commit tee consideration and speeches on International problems impended. It was tacltlyv-understood that there would be no effort to curb oral effer vescence and. hence sharp attacks on Teutonic submarine warfare and on the allies' commercial interference with our trade were certain. Numerous vital subjects were be fore the senate foreign relations com mittee, 1 including the Smith and Lodge resolutions to investigate the British orders-ln-councll," submarine warfare and anti-ally bomb plots. Preparedness and revenue plans were all asked. Opposition to both Id growing. Chairman Padgett's house naval committee will begin preparedness hearings tomorrow with , minor offi cials from , the yards and docks bureau of the navy department, tes tifying. Army preparedness hearings will Btart Thursday, when Chairman Hay will call Secretary Garrison as the first witness, ' , '. ' ; The rural credits program4 was launched by Joint Introduction of a bill tor farm land 'banks under a farm loan board. . . A CONGRESS TODAY CDS ARE NMEDW No Indictments Have Yet Been Retcrned by OScial Investigators, But Report Is Expected Wednesday The grand jury is now busy with its probe, and a- number of Indict ments will probabiy be returned to morrow morning. No report has yet come from tbe grand jury room, but It ia known that tbe cases of a num ber of parties held in jail for action by the grand Jury have been consider-' ed. Among those who will have to run the guantlet of the grand jury inquisition : are SI McClung, Seta Bailey, W. C. Jackson and W. H. Pltchock, who are now In the county Jail awaiting disposition of the com plaints against them. Of this num ber. Bailey has been in for several weeks past,' having heen arrested charged with the obtaining of money under false pretenses. His arrest fol lowed the coming to light of num ber of checks which were found to be worthless, and upon which he bad obtained goods or cash. SI McClung will answer to a charge of larceny, having been Implicated In the taking of various articles from Banco. Brothers' warehouse. Oregon Jones, , who was charged with the same offense in connection with Mc Clung. has already been sent to tbe reform school for a term of years. McClung Is past the age for sending to the reform school and If convicted will face a term in the peniteatiary. The grand Jury is investigating a charge of assault and battery against W. C. Jackson, it being charged that he assaulted Wm. Scroggins, the af fair having occurred in the Dry Dig gings east of the city. v i Loren Donnelly, now held by the city authorities for a violation of tho liquor laws, will be investigated by the grand Jury upon a charge of the illegal sale of booze. A number of cases have teen con sidered by the grand jury that had not been remanded to It by the courts of Justice, and the offices and county institutions will be investigated by It HUNT CAUSE OP RISE , IN GASOLINE PRICE Chicago. Jan. 4.-Federal District Attorney Clyne admitted today he is probing the rise in gasoline prices at the order of Washington authorities. DISASTROUS FLOOD DAMAGE TO Sr F. (By United Press Leased Wire.) San Francisco, Jan. 4. Three square miles of the manufacturing district bordering Islais creek are flooded as a result of Sunday's storm. Fifty thousand dollars' worth of property has been damaged and sev eral large manufacturing concerns are closed down, unable to reach their plants without boats. ; The California Glue works, the- Patrick Tanning company, and the Norton Tanning company are among the sufferers from the water. Each ' firm owns several buildings in the flood district, where water is now standing ' from two to fifteen feot deep. The board of public works was ap pealed to today for relief. Xt i be lieved that a out -will be made in the Evan street trestle of the South ern Pacific main line cut-off to allow the Vatere' outlet. DOES SUBURBS I-' '";