Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989, March 20, 1917, Image 1

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Medford mail tribune., March 20, 1917, Page 1, Image 1

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Newspaper Page TextWEATHEIt Maximum yesterday, 53; minimum today, 35. FORECAST Tonight and tomorrow, occassional rain. Medford Mail Tribune Forty-sixth Year. Dully Eleventh Year. NO. 307 MEDFORD. OREGON, TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 1917. UNITED STATES E CHINA CONFISCATES V OUT OF CABINET STATE OF WAR OF DESOLATION GERMANSLEAV WILSON SPURNS PEACEPROPOSAL i FROM MEXICO NICHOLAS WEPT LD WEATHER SLOWS PACE OF IS VIRTUALLY IN PER IE SCENE WHEN INFORMED OF THRONE LOSS ALLIED ADVANCE Cabinet Meeting Considers Situation . While Speeding Program of Pre paredness. President to Issue Statement Trans-Atlantic Lanes to Be Cleared of Submarines. WASHINGTON, March 20. With out waiting (or the proclamation President Wilson Is expected to issue today or tomorrow that a state of war exists between the United States and Germany, the government today pre pared definitely for forceful action to clear the trans-Atlantic steamship lanes of German submarines and to protect the coast. As the cabinet convened the senti ment was generally expressed that the United States Is virtually in a state of war. Tho statement wns made tlint the president nml cabinet discussed every phase of the situation. The most general Opinion in ad ministration quarters wns Unit there was no likelihood of a declaration of war against Germany, although the probability npicared to be for a for mal recognition that a state of war exists (because of Germany's nets against the United States. Cabinet is Silent. When the cabinet adjourned after a two-hour meeting none of the mem bers would make any statement. Sec- retary Daniels would only say there had been no new orders to the navy. Informally intimations were given that some announcement from the white house might be expected tonight or tomorrow. ' ' The Impression grew that the pres ident had determined to hasten the convening of congress, already called to meet in extra session April 16. An soon as he returned to his of fice from the cabinet meeting Secre tary Daniels went into conference with the navy general board. It was not revealed whether the session was the result of any new decision reach ed by the president and his cabinet. No Forecast Made. As has been the case since all offl clal Washington acknowledged that a state of war practically exists be tween the United States and Ger many, there is a wide range of specu lation on the precise action Presi dent Wilson had finally decided upon is no official ground for any fore cast. Calling of congress In an extra ses sion before April 16, the day first chosen for its assembly, still continues foremost among the probabilities but there are no Indications that Presi dent Wilson had finaly decided upon it. On the other hand there were some Indications that the date of the session would not be advanced. Preparations for carrying out the policy of armed neutrality to Its full est degree are being hurried in the navy department. The possibilities of their execution range even to ac tive co-operation at sea with the Brit ish and Krench fleets to clean subma rines out of the shipping lanes. . Making War on I'. S. It was learned definitely before the cabinet meeting that the president while considering deliberately all phases of the situation, had not fin ally made up his mind on any for ward step beyond the aitlvo prepara tion of the nary for any eventuality. For the present, President Wilson is taking the position that at all (Continued on Page Four) I 10 QUIT COMMAND Eli PASO, Tex., March 20. An American arriving from Chihuahua City today brought a report that Gen eral Francisco Margula, commander In chief of the de facto troops In the north had sent a message to General Carranza requesting money with which to pay his troops and muni tions with which to conduct his cam paign against Villa, threatening to resign unless the request was met at once. The report was In general cir culation In Chihuahua City, the Am erican said but could not be confirmed. Vandalism of Retreating Huns Shown in Deliberate Destruction of Ave nues of Shade Trees, Chopping of Fruit Trees, Dynamiting of Resi dences, Destruction of Cathedrals. BRITISH HEADQUARTERS IN FRANCE, March 20 (From a staff corresKndent of the Associated Press.) The deliberate character of tho destruction wrought by the Ger mans before their withdrawal from Pcromie is painfully, evident in the once beautiful avenue of trees lend ing to the railway station. These trees wero untouched by shell fire, but each one wns hacked in two with axes and the gashes and chips show that the work ..was done within the last few days. The beautiful gnrdens of the outlying houses were also wrecked and every fruit tree within several miles of the town was sawed two-thirds of tho way through and then broken down. Scores of Ruined Villages. The correspondent of the Associat ed Press was among the first visitors to Peronne in tho wake of the Eng lish troops who have now swept well beyond that place. It was necessary to pass through a score of ruined villages which only n few days ago were within the zone of intense artil- Jery fire, before reaching the banks of the Somme. Crossing that stream on an improvised bridge and trudg ing through Hullo, Peronne was reached over a road which had been constructed within twenty four hours over succeeding rows of German trenches and Uirough recurring muss es; of rusted, barbed wire, some of these being nt leust six feet in height and fifty feet in width. In' the outskirts of the city Kng lish Tommies were encountered wear ing German "pickle" helmets nnd grinning from ear to ear in the great square of Peronne, which is sur rounded by melancholy mins, wns (lie British lieutenant who led the first pntrol into the city. He was mounted on a splendid little German pony which he had enptured with its full equipment. Several other offi cers arrived during the morning nnd begged for the privilege of taking a eunter about tho pluco on bonrd (his prize of war. Ghostly Silence. There was a ghostly silence in most sections of the city. No sound of war was to be heard except once when a prying German airplane scud ded over the shelter of high clouds and nnti-aircrnft guns opened, driv ing him to quick retreut. British officers pointed out build ing after building where nppnrently the total damage had resulted from interior explosions. In many cases (Continued on Page Four.) AND NAVY SIDE WASHINGTON, March 20. Com plete co-operation of both the Rus sian army and navy with the new revolutionary government was re ported todny by Ambassador Fran cis to the stnto department. The ambassador stated ho had received his information from official sources and confirmed it to his own satis faction unofficially. The fact that he mentions no disorders leads offic ials to believe that good order pre vails. The question of the recognition of the new government by the United States is becoming increasingly im portant. Officials say tho receipt by the stnto department from the Rus sian ambassador of Foreign Minis ter Milukoff s statement to the world does not constitute such recognition nor will such action by England, France and Russia's other allies hasten the decision of the United Stales. It is possible, however, that action may be taken shortly and Hint even if it is not, congress may pass resolutions felicitating the new gov ernment, after it convenes April 1C. ARiSTIDE. ERiAND j Disagreement over the policy of Premier Briund of France has over tiirown the ministry and resulted in the fonuntion of a new cabinet in which Uriand declined a place. POLITICAL FACTIONS PARIS, March 20. The minister ial crisis was so completely over shadowed by other events that there has been little comment on the new cabinet. It was well enough re ceived nnd is considered adequate for tho tusk hut probably never be fore did a political event of such importance leave tho public so in- ditlerent. Alexandre Iiibot, in setting up the cabinet in 48 hours, is understood to have beaten all speed records and ,his task was not an easy one for the list wns changed many times before it became permanent. Many persons appointed - by him refused while others accepted at first, but later withdrew. All sections of republican opinion is represented in the new cabinet. Premier Ribot belongs to the republi can union; Albert Thomas, the min ister of munitions, to the unified so cialist group; lieno Viviani, the min ister of justice; Professor Paul Painleve, the minister of war, and Maurice lolctle, tho minister of sub sisteneo, to the socialist representa tives; Louis Malvcy, minister of in terior, Jules Stccg, minister of pub lic instruction, Ferdinnnd David, the minister of agriculture: Leon Bour geois, the minister of labor, and Dan iel Vincent, under secretary of nvia tion, belong to the group of radicals and socialist radicals, while Andre Muginot, the minister of the colonics belongs to tho republican left, and Joseph Thierry, minister of finnnce, to the democratic left. All liavc been in office before except Georges Desplas, who is one of the Paris dep- ulies; Maurice Violclle, a deputy lor the department of Eure-et-Loir, and Daniel lucent, a deputy for the de partment of Dn Nord. PORTLAND PUPILS PORTLAND, Ore., March 20 Ap proximately 25 per cent of the pupils of Portland schools are under-fed and under-nourished as the result of parental neglect or poverty, accord ing to a report made pu'ilin hero to day by Dr. Edna Slicrill, city board of heullh inspector. Parent-teacher associations arc planning to cstnh lish milk depots in various school: to remedy affairs. NO LIVES LOST ON NEW YORK, March 20. No lives were lost in the sinking of the Ameri can steamship City of Memphis in the German submarine rone. Th bout which wns missing containing Cuptuin lloriim nnd seven men has reached Glasgow safely, according to a dispatch received hero from the fuptnin todny by the owners, the Ocean btcuniship company. Note to General Carranza Declines His Suggestion for Neutral Action to Bring Peace to Europe by Cut ting Off Exports Calls Attention to Conspiracy. WASHINGTON, March 20. The note to General Carranza, declining his proposal for neutral action to bring peace to Europe by cutting off exports of supplies to belligerents was made public today at the state department. Iho refusal wns based, first on the apparent lawlessness of peace at the present timo ns shown in the futility of President Wilson's efforts and Germany's attempts to embroil Mexico nnd Japan in wur with this country and in the belief that any restriction of commerce with the bel ligerents would in effect bo an un neutral discrimination. Nevertheless, the note concludes, "tho president would not bo "nder stood as desiring to impede the pro gr xs of a movement leading to the resumption of peaceful relutions be tween all the belligerents and would not, therefore, wish the Mexican gov ernment to feel that his inability to act in the present slate of affairs should in any way militate against the attainment of the high ideals of General Carranza by the co-operation of other neutral governments in the use of their good offices and friendly mediation to bring about the end of tho terrible war." Plot Is Mentioned. The note mentions the "enrcful and sympathetic consideration" which tho United Stutes has given to tho proposal, refers to the now vigor of the wurfnro and goes on to say: 'lo render the situation still more acute, the government of the United States has unearthed a plot made by the government dominating tho cen tral powers, to embroil not only the government nnd pcoplo of Mexico, but also the government and people of Japan in war with tho United States. At the timo the plot was conceived the United Stutes was at peace with the government and ico ple of the German empire nnd Ger man officials and German subjects wero not only enjoying but abusing the liberties und privileges freely-accorded them on American soil and under American protection.'.' I'l-oposal Declined, The cote then takes up the pro posal to cut off commercial relations with the belligerent nations and re fers to the American note to Austria Hungary to show the policy of this government in declining to stop mu nitions shipments. "Relieving that this position of the United Slates is based upon sound in ternational law," the conclusion says: "and is consonant with the estab lished practice of nations, the pres ident cannot bring himself to con sider such a modification of these oriiiciplcs or of this practice in com pliance with General Carranza's pro posal to sus)ond commercial relu tions with the warring nations would entail." F! OF 18,000 TONS SUNK BY U-BOAT HKHT.I.s, March 20. A French battleship of the Dnnton class was sunk by a (lermiin submarine in the Mediterranean yesterday, the ad miralty announced todny. The admiralty statement reads: "A (lermiin submarine commanded by Lieutenant Captain Moralit, on March 1!) in the western Mediterran ean, sank n large Krench battleship of the Denton class, protected by dcslroyers. "The battleship wns running a jtiir xng course. Immediately after being hit she listed heavily and capsized forty minutes lalcr." Warships of the Ilant.m class dis place 18,020 tons. The complement consists of OBI officers and men. GERMAN CONCESSIONS LI YUAN - HUNG Ll-Yunn-Iluiig, president of China, who lias severed diplomatic relations with Germany, seized interned ships ami confiscated German concessions in Cniiuu POWER TO AVERT BY ADAMSON BILL NEW YORK, March 20. Pull power of the government through congress to prevent railroad strikes, in the opinion of tho railroad offic ials as expressed here todny, is the country s cluet gain from the decis ion by (lie United Slates supreme court yesterday upholding the Adiimson act. Tho brotherhood chiefs nnd a sub committee of the managers conferred todny to work out the general prin ciples by which existing pay con tracts on the various railroads muy be made to conform to tho agree ment -reached here which averted a strike and to tho Adiimson uct. The actual labor of effecting de tailed changes in pay schedules will be done in conferences between the indiviuul managers of roads mid the general chairmen of Iho four brother hoods on these roads. Willi some 200 roads represented in the recent controversy approximately 800 forms of contracts will have to bo revised so that 250.000 employes in freight service may receive increases averaging $210 yearly, or a tolnl of $00,000,000 yearly as estimated by railroad heads. ST. Jul IN, K. It., March 20. Sinking of the Hritish steamer limy I lend by a (leriimn submarine March 14, was announced today by the owners of tho vessel ut Holfast, Ire land. Ciiplain Hoy and seventeen members of the erew, tuo message said, were missing. NEW YORK, March ;0-Tlie Bray Head registered .'1,077 gross (oils. and was .'CIO feet long. She was built nt New Castle in I00H. Agents were advised lliat Chief Officer McCnrlncv and sixteen of the crew were landed and Hint two of these had died of exposure. Kolhing was known regarding the fale of Ciiptnin Hoy mid Hie others. The Itruy Head, owned by the Ulster Steamship company, ltd., of Hclfust, sailed from here for thai port March 1 with n heavy cargo. L CONFERENCE HOLDS FIRS! SESSION LONDON', March ,20. The Hiitish iinMrial conference wns itinugiiriilcd today. For (lie first time the colon ial statesmen sat wilhltie members of the Hritish government around a labia in tho council room at Premier l.loyd George's official residence. Czar Taken by Surprise, Rejects Plan of Appeal to Germans Wish es to go to Livardia... to Work Among His Flowers Pitiable Ex hibition of Weakness by Ruler. PETROGRAD, Mar 20. The hist ory of the last hour of Emperor Nich olas as ruler of Russia Is related by a correspondent ot the Outro RosslI of Moscow ns follows: - Two trains arrived at the stntlon at Vlshera (on the Moscow-Petrogra.d railroad 125 miles southeast ot Pet rograd) on tho night of March 14. One train carried the emporor'a suite the second the emperor, General Bar on Fredericks, minister of the im perial house, and Admiral Niloff, General Zubel and others. Nicholas, called from headquarters by the em press, was on tho way to the Tsarsko- Selo. Kmperor Notified Commander Voyokiff of tho lm perial train entored with a telegram stating that 700 of the St. George cavalry wore on the way to Tsar- skoe-Solo to prosont a cross to the emperor and had arrived at the near by station of Duo, headed by General Ivanoff. "Your majesty," said Voyekoff, "It Is enough .that you appear at tho Tsarkoe-Selo In the midst of these he roes and with the Ksarskoe-Selo gan rlson go to the duma. All the troopi will remember their oath. It will be easy to overcome these young sol diers." "It Is a He your majesty," shouted General Zabel. "You are docclved, Read these telegrams. Here is the order: 'To the Imperial train at Vis hera: Do not send the train to Tsar-skoe-Selo, but to Petrograd.' " Tho emperor arose and exclaimed: "What does this mean? Is It revolu tion? Is Grckoff (who signed the or der to divert the train) commander in Petrograd?" IKiclarod Dethroned. Thon Gonoral Zahol spoke out, say ing: "Thore are 00,000 troops, with officers, backing the temporary gov ernment. Your majesty has been de clared dethroned. It Is Impossible to go further." Nicholas, completely non-plussed, exclaimed: "Why was I not told be fore? Why tell mo now when all Is finished?" After a moment ho added with a gesture of helplessness: "Let it be so. Thank God. I will abdicate it that Is what the people want. I will go to Llvadla (the estate of the Rus sian Imeprlal family on the south coast of Crimea) to my gardens. I am so fond of flowers." Tho train (Continued on Pago Four.) ENLIST UN E OF Ell WASHINGTON, March 20. Sec rotary Daniels today ordered naval comniuiidiiiits at shore stations nnd i.i! recruiting officers lo bo prepared to enlist women in the nctiial navul service, in case of an emergency. The judge advocate general has ruled that women can bo enlisted under the laws regulating recruiting. Wliilo it is not intended to place women aboard ships, they may be utilized for shore duly in connec tion wilh the commissary depart ment. They may rpmlify ns stenog raphers, clerks, typists or similar po sitions. Another grade of work for which they may be designated is that of radio telegraphy nnd other com munications divisions. Difficulty of obtaining men stenog raphers and clerks for Ilia nnvy from iiiong die regular enlisted personnel caused the question of women's em ployment to be taken up. Hy filling the positions on shore wilh women, the department expects ill tune of emergency In relieve Iho men for the fleet service nnd other duties. RGENCYtNTEr German Retreat Continues Witn British and French Maintaining Contact with Germans Patrols Everywhere Active East of lew Lines No Heavy Fighting. LONDON, March 20. Telegraph ing from the British headquarters ill France, Heuter's correspondent says: "Tho pace ot the German retreat seems to have Blowed down consider ably during the past 24 hours, a fact for which the very wild weather may well be responsible. A violent gaU has been roaring over northern France and is still very heavy. "Many rain squalls hove swept ove the battle area but these have not suf ficed to render the ground bad and there Is a keen drying edge in the wind. Notwithstanding the tempes tuous weather, however, our troops have made considerable progress. Fol lowed roughly from the south of Ar ras, our front now runs through or on tho edge of the following places: Now British. IJno. "Beauralns, Mercatel, Bolry-Bec-querelle, Boyelles, St. Leger, Vaulx Vraucourt, Beugny, Hapllneourt, Ba rastre. Bus, Lechello, Etrlcourt.JHols- ' lalns, Peronne, Doingt, St. Christ, ' Voyennes and Canisy, to the neigh borhood of Ham on the eastward bend of the Somme. . "Our cavalry and Infantry patrols are every where active east of this line. We hold the line of the Somme in strength from Peronne southward to Canlzy. Our reconnaissance pa trols are activo as far east as Mons- en-Chausse. In several sectors be- airy maintained their touch with the enemy all yesterday. There was a good deal ot skirmishing, but no ; j French Still rursuo. 1 PARIS, March 20. The war ot flee announces' that. the French ara still maintaining contact with the Gormans along the section of the front over which the retirement is taking place but that the advanca has become more difficult by reason of the destruction of all means of communication and on account of bad . weather. Gorman attacks at Avocourt wood and Hill 304 on the Verdun front were repulsed. Serious Iosb was In flicted on the Germans. Kngagoinonts Reported. BERLIN. March 20. Thars wam several engagements of Infantry and cavalry aetachmonts yesterday be tween British and German forces la the territory on both sides of the river Somme and the River nine. abandoncd by the Qormans, accord ing to the official statement issued today by the army headauarlarn staff The French yosterday and last night dlrectod vlolont attacks against tha Gorman positions on the left bank of tho Mouse, the statement adds, but everywhere they were rqpulsed. ITE RETURN TO ATHENS LONDON, March 20. -The minis ters to tlreeco of tho entente nations" Imvo again taken up their residence f in Athens, KcuterV correspondent- thcro reports. Tho discharge of a ii cargo of wheat destined, lor Tiraeus begins today. , , 1 - -i US . Tho admission of wheat to Greece .nd.eules the lifting of tho blockade which has been in cfrCct for severat weeks. The Greek government has mndo repented representations that widespread suffering wn, beiuif enused by tho shutting off of food supplies to which the entente re sponded that Iho blockade would be lilted when Greece hud complied fuMy with its demands. The most ira portunt of those demands were tho transfer of the army to lower Greece nnd tho disbanding of tho reservist, ror-t ho purpose of removing the pos' s.bi l.ty ot an attack by Greek troop, n the renr of H,0 uliiud f Macedonia.