Image provided by: Hermiston Public Library; Hermiston, OR
About The Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 19??-1984 | View Entire Issue (April 14, 1917)
STATE Of WAR DECLARED FINAL RESOLUTION NATION’S FORCES ADOPTED IN HOUSE FOR WAR MIGHTY Lower Body Confirms Action of Germany Forced to Combat Vast Resources and Many Men. Senate 373 to 50. Washington. D. C.—The resolution declaring that a state of war exists between the United States and Ger many, already passed by the senate, passed the house shortly after 3 o’clock Friday morning by a vote of 373 to 50. It formally accepts the state of bel ligerency forced by Germany’s aggres sions and authorizes and directs the President to employ the military and naval forces and the resources of the nation to bring war against Germany to a successful termination. Without rollcalls the house rejected all amendments, including proposals to prohibit the sending of any troops overseas without congressional author ity. Adoption of the resolution followed 17 hours of debate. There was no at tempt to filibuster, but the pacifist group, under the leadership of Demo cratic Leader Kitchin, prolonged the discussion with impassioned speeches, Mr. Kitchin declaring conscience would not permit him to support the Presi dent’s recommendation that a state of war be declared. Miss Rankin, of Montana, the only woman member of congress, sat through the first rollcall with bowed head, failing to answer to her name, twice called by the clerk. On second rollcall she rose and said in a sobbing voice: “I want to stand by-my country, but I cannot vote for war. ' ' For a moment then she remained standing, supporting herself against a desk, and as cries of “vote, vote,’’ came from several parts of the house, she sank back into her seat without voting audibly. She was recorded in the negative. EXPLOSION KILLS 112 Chester, Pa. —An explosion at 10 o’clock Tuesday morning, in the plant of the Eddystone ammunition corpora tion, at Eddystone, Pa., near here, is reported to have killed 50 to 150 per sons. Several hundred are said to have been injured. The fire, which was confined to the shrapnel loading building, in which it originated, had been subdued. In this building about 400 men, women and boys and girls were employed as load ers. Latest reports place the total loss of life at 112. The little Ches ter morgue is filled with bodies and they are piled upon the sidewalk out side the building. It is stated the building in which the explosion occurred was used for making time fuses for shrapnel. The workers were mostly women and young girls. The Eddystone Ammunition com pany is understood to be. an indepen dent corporation, and is engaged in manufacturing and loading shells for the Russian government. The com pany has no connection with either the Midvale Steel company or the Reming ton Arms company. Washintgon, D. C.—Actual and po tential resources, which, all told, prob ably never have been equaled by any other nation in the history of the world, are brought Into the great war under the American flag. In the balance against Germany are thrown a navy in strength and effi ciency among the foremost afloat; an army, comparatively very small, but highly efficient, backed by a citizenry of upward of 20,000,000 capable of military duty ; industrial resources, in comparably the greatest in the world, already mobilized for public service, and the moral force of more than 100,- 000,000 Americans, awakened to their country’s peril and united behind their Persident with a patriotic fervor rein carnating the spirit of *76. Although much remains to be done, officials believe the nation’s destinies are secure now, no matter how stub born or prolonged may be the pressure of German militarism or how wide the scope of German intrigue. The navy, always the first line of defense, has cleared its decks of anti quated incumbrances, has added new units, modernized to meet the German tactics, and the patriotic co-operation of ship and material makers is hurry ing to completion other fighting craft that will be the last word in power and efficiency. Authorized but 10 days ago to re cruit to the full war strength of 87,000 men, the navy already has almost at tained the total. To provide additional officers a class of midshipmen has been graduated three months ahead of its time. A newly organized coast patrol of submarine chasers is on duty, and hundreds of small craft to augment it are under construction. Army preparations are less com plete, because of the uncertainty over what congress will authorize. The regulars, numbering nearly 120,000, and trained and equipped in a way which their officers believe matches, unit for unit, the boasted efficiency of Germany’s best, are ready to respond over night to whatever call may come. The national guard, 150,000 strong and hardened by months of service at the border, already has many units in active service for police duty through- out the country, and can be fully mo bilized on short notice. Without ad ditional authorization by congress, the regulars and guardsmen could be re cruited to a combined strength of 700,- 000, and detailed plans for whatever larger army may be authorized have been prepared and great quantities of equipment purchased for it. Industrial preparations have pro duced a great, compact scheme of na tional resources with almost unlimited possibilities. AIRPLANE FIGHTING TERRIFIC $6,750,000,000 TOTAL ASKED BALFOUR COMING WORLD HAPPENINGS Three Billions is for Loan to Allies; U. S. Takes Over Interned Ships as Precautionary Measure. 10 DISCUSS WAR OE CURRENT WEEK Taxation to Be Increased. AUSTRIA SEVERS RELATIONS Washington, D. C. — Austria-Hun- gary, ranging herself unreservedly with Germany, has severed diplomatic relations with the United States, pre cipitating a situation which generally is expected here to lead to war. Baron Erich Zwiedinek, the Austrian charge, asked the State department Monday for passports for himself, hie staff and the Austrian consular force in this country, and simultaneously American Minister Stovall reported from Berne that Austria had announced the break in relations to the American embassy in Vienna. Immediately the Treasury depart ment ordered the seizure of all Aus trian merchant ships in American har bors. The Austrian crews were taken off and sent to immigration stations and American guards put on board. The measure was explained as purely one of precaution, but it is realized that it may be interpreted by Austria as an act of war. In a similar situa tion, after the break with Germany, no ships were seized until a state of war actually had been declared. Whether Bulgaria and Turkey are preparing to follow suit is unknown, but officials generally believe that sooner or later they will do so. Bul garian Minister Panaretoff called on Secretary Lansing late in the day to ask if this government had any in formation from Sofia, but was told none had been received. Bulgaria, it is believed here, is weary of the war, but German domina tion of the Central European alliance is expected to drive them, as it drove Austria, to break with Germany’s new enemy. Richard Olney, Ex-Secretary of State, Dies in Boston, Aged 82 Boston—Richard Olney, statesman, once Secretary of State and always a noted student of international affairs, died at his home in the Fenway, in the Back Bay district, at 8:45 o’clock Sun day night." Word of the passing of the great citizen was not given to the public until Monday. The end came after a protracted period of intense suffering, which had failed, however, to shake the courage or good humor that had marked his 82 years or to divert his mind from the interest which he had maintained in our qurral with Germany. Richard Olney served successfully as attorney general and secretary of state during the administration of Presi dent Cleveland, and, although at the head of the State departement for the short period of one year and nine months only, he won reputation as a statesman of commanding ability and force. His greatest triumph was his successful insistence upon arbitration of the boundary dispute between Great Britain and Venezuela. German Maps Are Seized. New York—Government agents have seized more than 2000 letters from the German sailors interned at the immi gration station on Ellis Island. They also have come into possession of dia grams, blueprints and blank books con taining information important to the military and civil authorities. The fact that beer is not permitted on the island is said to be causing much discontent among the sailors. Washington, D. C. How the gov ernment plans to raise a war army of 1,000,000 within a year and 2,000,000 within two years was disclosed upon passage of the war resolution by the house. The bill, prepared by the General Staff and approved by the President for submission to congress, provides for the immediate filling up of the reg ular army and national guard to war strength of more than 800,000, by draft unless enough volunteers enlist quickly and for bringing into the serv ice by the late summer of the first 500,000 of the new force of young men between the ages of 19 and 25 years, to be called to the colors by selective conscription. York Harbor, Me.—A German who said he was Frank Spikehorn, formerly 15 German Aviators Are Seen to Fall of Baltimore, was arrested here Tues day. Maps of the coast with margin and 31 Others Driven Down. al notes in German and a notebook filled with writing were found in his London—In terrific air fighting dur possession. ing Saturday and Sunday in Northern France, British airplanes carried out Wilson Insists on Draft Plan. numerous raids and dropped more than Washintgon, D. C.—President Wil eight tons of bombs. Twenty-eight British machines are missing, says the son threw the weight of his personal official statement from British head influence into the scales Tuesday in an quarters in France, and 15 German effort to overcome opposition in con aeroplanes were seen to crash to the gress to the administration army plans ground and 31 German machines were based on the draft system. Summoning Chairman Dent of the driven down. Ten German balloons, the statement house military committee, now consid ering the bill, the President made it adds, were brought down in flames. clear that he believes the safety of the Berlin — The entente allies lost 44 nation hangs on the action of congress airplanes on the western front, says in this regard. He will make a similar exposition of the official statement issued by the German army headquarters staff. the military situation to Representa Thirty-three of the British or French tive Anthony of Kansas, who has led machines were destroyed in aerial en opposition to the draft plan among Re gagements. Five German airplanes, publican members of the military com the statement adds, did not return. mittee. Norwegian Losses Mount. London—During February and March 105 Norwegian vessels of 16,322 gross tons were sunk, according to a statement made by the Norwegian leg ation Saturday evening. Sixty lives were lost in the disasters and 122 per- sons who were on board ships that were sunk are still missing. The state ment of the legation says: “During February 41 Norwegian vessels of 63,84 gross tons were sunk. Fourteen persons were killed and 22 are missing. During March 64 vessels of 103,238 gross tons were sunk.” Danes Do Not Approve. Copenhagen—America’s entry into the war cannot be said to have been received with favor in Denmark, either in official circles or by the public. The definite taking of sides by the last great neutral power is, however, no small matter for such a nation as Den mark. She and other small European neutrals during the war have been bal- ancing in a more and more difficult equilibrium between the belligerents anti endeavoring to maintain not only normal conditions of life but even nec essary suppiles for business existence. Pastor Burned in Effigy. Portland, Me.— The Rev. Charlee E. Joy, pastor of the First Unitarian church, the oldest and one of the rich est in this city, was burned in effigy in front of his church by a party of un identified men Sunday night, after he had preached a sermon in which he was reported as expressing the opinion that “the war in which we serve is an unrighteous war. From this pulpit prayers shall ascend for Germans and Americans alike,” he said. “There will be no prayer that victory may crown the arms of America.” Ex-Czarina‘s Lady in Cell. Miss Wilson Gives $1000. Washington, D. C.—Miss Margaret Wilson, the President’s daughter, Sat urday handed the Red Croes her per sonal check for $1000— the proceeds of her spring concert tour. Her check was dated April 2, the day of the Pres- ident’s address to congress. The money goes to the fund for use among American sailors and soldiers. Miss Wilson soon will make another tour in the South for the same pur- pose. T. R. May Consult Wilson. Washington, D. C.—Theodore Roose velt came here Tuesday from New York and although he declined to make a statement it was reported he would confer with President Wilson and offer his services for the war. It was said he also contemplated seeing Secretary Baker to discuss the volunteer army di- vision which the colonel had offered to recruit. The general staff plan for an army raised by selective conscription makes no provision for volunteer units. Army of Million At Once Is Plan London Mme. Virubova, the lady- n-waiting to the ex-empress, who in- roduced Gregory Rasputin, the mytic tonk, to the Russsian court, has been rought from Tsarskoe-Selo to the 'aurida Palace and then taken to the rison of St. Peter and St. Paul, says Reuter dispatch from Petrograd aturday. Mme. Virubova is a fellow prisoner f Mme. Soukhomlinoff, wife of the x-minister of war. Brief Resume Most Important Daily News Items. COMPILED FOR BUSY READERS Events of Noted People, Governments and Pacifie Northwest and Other Things Worth Knowing. Five men were drowned as the result of the capsizing of a boat in the flood waters of the Missouri River at Bis marck, N. D., Monday. Cato Sells, Indian commissioner, has ordered intensive cultivation of all In dian reservations during the year be cause of the war situation. Ambassador Riano, of Spain, says that he is in a position to deny reports that a political upheaval was threat ened in his country and that the mon archy was in peril. The constitutional Democratic party in Russia, which recently declared for the establishment of a republic, at a convention unanimously adopted a resolution in favor of a democratic and parliamentary form of government. The Chemnitz Socialist paper, Volk- stimme, frankly admits that if the un restricted submarine war should prove a failure Germany is lost. "We all knew this on the day unrestricted sub- marine war was announced, ” adds the paper. Senator Lane, who was reported ill recently, has been advised by physi cians that he should remain at Takoma sanitarium several weeks. His blood pressure is high, and his general condi tion such that a long and complete rest is essential to recovery. The American steamer Seward was torpedoed and sunk without warning in the Mediterranean by a German sub- marine, according to a dispatch re ceived at the State department Wed nesday from Consul Gaulin at Mar seilles. All of the crew of 31 was said to have been saved. Nine persons were killed at the au tomobile races in Mexico City Monday when a car belonging to Jose Santa Maria, the Cuban charge d’affaires, and driven by Vincente Rodriguez, left the track at a turn and plunged into a crowd on the outside of the course. Twenty persons were slightly • injured. Sailors from the German auxiliary cruiser Kronprinz Wilhelm, interned at Fort McPherson, Atlanta, Ga., will be put to work raising vegetables as soon as arrangements can be complet ed. The plan is said to be in line with the government’s campaign for in creased food crops. Cuban gunboats, which have estab lished a sweeping patrol of the Cuban coast and contiguous waters, have been ordered to fire at sight on any craft sus pected of aiding German raiders or seeking to find bases for German sub marines in or near Cuba, according to a message received by the Republic of Cuba News Bureau in New York. Creation of a general munitions board is announced by the Council of National Defense. It will be headed by Frank A. Scott, a Cleveland manu facturer, and will be charged with sup plying the army and navy with muni tions and equipment. One of its chief functions will be to decide between the country’s military and its industrial needs. , Appeals to patriotic young Ameri cans to enlist in the army, navy and Marine corps soon will be launched in electric lights along New York’s "Great White Way.” Thirty-two hundred persons in Boise, Idaho, marched in a patriotic parade there Thursday night. The demon stration was said to be the greatest of the sort in the history of the state. Two Mexicans caused a small riot late Thursday in El Paso, Tex., when they insulted the American flag by throwing it on the pavement and stamping on it They were fined $300. Ambassador Elkus at Constantinople has cabled that in Palestine alone there were between 600 and 700 Amer- icana, mostly naturalized, awaiting an opportunity to come home, while sever al hundred others are scattered through Syria. Requests for immediate appropria tion of $3,400,000,000 for the army and navy were made to congress Thurs day by the executive departments. Provision is made for increasing the enlisted strength of the navy to 150,- 000 men and to increase the marine corps to 30,000. Of the great sum, a little more than $2,930,000,000 is asked for the army. Washington, D. C.—President Wil son’s policy, outlined in his address to congress, of paying America’s war bill, so far as possible, while the war is being waged, leaving a minimum debt to posterity, was reflected Sunday night in a virtual decision by leaders in the house and senate to raise 50 per cent of’the first year’s expenditures by taxation. Under this program congress will be called on to raise war revenues of $1,750,000,000 through new and in creased taxation during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1918. This is ex clusive of the $5,000,000,000 bond is sue, authorization for which will be sought this week. The total demand upon the financial resources of the country during the first year of war, under this program, would be $6,750,000,000. Of the bond issue, $3,000,000,000, it was definitely stated, would be loaned to the entente allies. The entirle issue will bear interest of 31 per cent. It is proposed to make the loan to the allies at this interest rate, which is lower by far than the rate on their previous issues. The remaining $2,000,000,000 will be applied, as necessary, on the cost of the military and naval establishments and other war expenses of the United States. In requesting authorization for a $5,000,000,000 bond issue, administra tion leaders have in mind the necessity of allowing for a slight margin of safety, so that the work of the War and Navy departments would not be handicapped by a lack of funds due to the possible failure of proposed tax measures to raise the entire sum of 50 per cent desired. Details of the proposed bond issue have not been fully disposed of at pres ent. _________________ Murguia to Surround Villa; Says War Rumors Ridiculous British Statesman Heads Com mission to United States. FULL CO-OPERATION PLANNED Political Alliances To Be Avoided at Conference to Be Held Soon in Washington by Leaders. Washington, D. C. — Assembly in Washington within a few weeks of a great international war council was foreshadowed by an announcement from the State department Thursday that a British commission, headed by Arthur J. Balfour, minister of foreign affairs, is expected to arrive within 10 days to discuss with the government here ques tions connected with the conduct of the war. In addition to the foreign minister, the commission will include Admiral de Chair, of the British navy ; Gen. Bridges, of the army, and the governor of the Bank of England, at tended .by a numerous staff. This was as far as the announcement made by the State department goes, but it was learned authoritatively that a French commission also will be in Washington at the same time. This commission will be headed by M. Vi- viani, at present minister of justice in the French cabinet and formerly pre mier. It is assumed that owing to the diffi culties in passage and the probable de lay, the interests of other allied gov ernments will be confided to their resi dent ambassadors. Beyond the statement that the ob ject of the commission is to discuss generally questions of policy connected with the war, no information was giv en at the State department. It was made clear, however, that in no way will the United States government de part from the traditional policy of avoiding anything in the nature of po litical alliances, though, of course, that does not exclude full military and naval co-operation in the prosecution of the war. While it is by no means certain that there will be a joint meeting of the visiting commissioners, if the state department should desire to avoid the appearance of an alliance, there is cer tain to be concert of action in some way. — +----- •—•----- Juarez—General Francisco Murguia left here late Monday for Casas Gran des, where he will take the field in his enveloping movement against Fran cisco Villa and his 3000 followers, who were reported to be north of Madera and 250 miles from the American bor der. General Murguia denied any knowl edge of German intrigue in his north eastern command and accompanied a correspondent of the Associated Press through his trains to show that no Germans were among the officers of the 6000 troops in his present com mand. He announced his intention of re maining neutral in the war between the United States and Germany, fol German Submarine Reported in lowing out his instructions from the Pacific; Shipping Warned War Department in Mexico City. He characterized the rumors of German San Francisco — Warning that Ger plots in the Mexican army as ridicu man submarines are operating in the lous. _________________ Pacific were sent to all steamship cap tains at sea late Thursday by wireless Russia Will Be Republic. on authority of Lieutenant Commander London—A group of Americans hav E. C. Woods, of the Twelfth naval dis ing large interests in Russia has sent a trict here. Commander Woods said that the report to London that the situation is stabilizing itself and that the provis Navy department had furnished the ional government of Russia has been information concerning submarine ac strengthened greatly as a result of tivities, which resulted in the warning being sent broadcast. President Wilson’s speech. “Get in touch at the earliest possi Present indications point undoubted ble moment With captains and masters ly to the establishment of a republic. The whole sentiment of the Russian of all merchant veselss operating in people is in favor of a democracy sim your district, especially off the coast ilar to that of the United States. This at sea, and urge upon them the neces has produced a great feeling of affec sity of keeping a very bright lookout for German submarines and of report tion and kinship toward Americans. ing same immediately by radio to the nearest radio station. Urge upon Canada Hoists U. S. Flag. them the necessity of giving as much Ottawa, Ont_The Stars and Stripes detailed information of locality where for the first time in history were hoist submarines are seen and any other ed with the Union Jack on the Cana data that will be of value to the naval dian Parliament building Saturday. By forces in searching for these vessels.” thus associating the two flags, Cana dian officials said they wished to ex Goethals Asked to Build Ships. press the satisfaction they felt at the determination of the United States to Washington, D. C.—Major General join the war against the German gov George Goethals, builder of the Pana ernment. The American colors with ma canal, formally was requested by the Union Jack also fluttered from the President Wilson Thursday to take city hall and many other buildings. charge of the building of 1000 wooden ships for foreign commerce. Mere Callers Are Barred. Increase of overseas tonnage is re Washington, D. C. — With every garded as an imperative need to defeat minute of his day occupied by the tre the German submarine campaign and mendous tasks of the war, President keep up the flow of supplies to the en Wilson has decided to abandon many tente. Consequently the greatest im minor duties, which have hitherto tak portance is attached to the plans of en up much time. Secretary Tumulty the Shipping Board for the building of and his assistants have begun to refuse wooden ships. The entire resuorces of all requests to see the President except available shipbuilding yards are to be those coming from men with the most used for the purpose. important business to discuss. T. R. Endorses President. German Arsenal Seized. New York — Upon his return here Cleveland—Hundreds of rifles, bayo Thursday from Washington, Colonel nets, swords and ammunition belts with large quantities of ammunition Theodore Roosevelt issued a statement were confiscated in police raids on in which he said that “all far-sighted three houses here Sunday night. The patriots” should stand behind the ad owners, all naturalized Germans, said ministration in its efforts to secure they had collected the arms as an legislation for raising an army “in ac amusement. They were not detained. cordance with the principle of obliga tory training and service.” Colonel Roosevelt said he hoped, in T. R. Urged as War Chief. Washington, D. C.—Senator Cham addition, for further action which berlain has received a telegram from would be a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the legislation recom The Belgian steamer Trevier from W. M. Gray, of Portland, urging the mended by the President. appointment of Theodore Roosevelt as New York with Belgian relief supplies secretary of war. Another from was torpedoed without warning on Portland Company K veterans urges Family Men to Return. Wednesday. While the boats of the the passage of a compulsory military Washington, D. C. — The following Trevier were being lowered the sub statement was issued Thursday from training bill. marine fired on them, severely wound the War department: "The secretary ing the captain, the mate and engneer. of war authorizes the discharge of all Montana Crop Promising. Helena, Mont—The grain crop out enlisted men in the National Guard A bill to grant American citizenship to all Germans who have lived in the look in Montana is good, according to who have families dependent upon United States five years has been in- the Federal estimate. Wheat is 93 per them, members of which, while sol Stock is diers in the Federal service, would be troduced by Senator Townsend, of cent of the 10- year average. Michigan. Thousands of Germans in fine condition. Looses in cattle and entitled to the benefits of the comforts who have lived here a long time, he sheep were not heavy despite the se provided by the act of congress ap said, are anxious now to become citi- vere winter, the government report proved August 26, 1916, whether they desire to be discharged or not.” says. sens.
