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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (March 31, 1917)
library I WEATHER Maximum yesterday, '47; minimum today, 2G; precipitation, trace. FORECAST Tonight and tomor row, occasional rain. EDFORD MAIL TRIBUNE Forty-sovpnth Yoar. L'ally TwHfih Yonr. MEDFORD OREOOX. SATURDAY. MARCH 31. 1917. NO. 8 NEW RAIDER SKIPS IN ATLANTIC German Cruiser Seeailler Repenting Career of Moewe In South Atlan tic Crews of Sunken Vessels Placed Aboard Captured Ship and Sent to Brazil Raider Accompan ied by Submarine and Equipped With Guns and Bombs. RIO JANT.RIO, March Ml.--A now German raider, slipping past t lie British warships on guard in the North sea, lias reached 1 lie South Atlantic and sent 1 1 or more mer chantmen to the hottom. According to survivors from the sunken vessels the rnider is the Seeailler (Sea Knglc) a fonnidahly armed craft operatiuir with the same success and during as its precedceessor, the Moewe, which recently returned to a (Jennnii port, after playing havoc with shipping in the same waters. News of the activities of the raider was brought to liio Janeiro by' the French hark Cumhronne, which ar rived here yesterday. She had on board 285 men from the crews of vessels sunk bv the Seeadler. The Camhronne encountered the raider on March 7 nt latitude 21 south, lonirti jfjade 7 west, a point in the Atlantic almost on n line with Kio Janeiro and about two-thirds of the way to the African coast. After the survivors had been put on the Canihronno she was ordered to proceed to the coast of Brazil, a voyage of 22 days. Loaded With Mines. According to tiie'Jornal do Ilrazil the raider was loaded with mines, which explains 'the destruction -of vessels off the coast of lirnzil. The commerce destroyer is reported to be armed with two guns of 105 mil limeters nnd sixteen machine puns. The vessel has three masts and is equipped lvitli wireless. Its: crew consists of 64 men under the command of Count Ukner. According to the refugees the raider left Germany on 1) mlier 22, escorted by n suhmnrinc. On sighting a merchantman the raider hoisted a .Norwegian flag, which was replaced by the German ensign when her prey was within reach of her guns. Among the refugees arc two women, the wives of two of the captains of the sunken vessels. List of Victims. Eleven ships were sunk by tile raider before the C'oinhronnc was sent to liio Janeiro with the crews. The vessels destroyed were: Antonin, French sailing vessel. 31171 tons, owned in Dunkirk, 31 men on hoard. Hritisli Yoenian, ltritish sailing ves sel, 1!)53 tous, owned in Victoria, II. C, 21 men. Ulienos Aires, Italian sailing ves sel, 1811 tons, owned in Naples, 21 V men. , Charles Gounod, French sailing ves sel, 215S) tous, owned in Nantes, 21 men. Duplcix, French sailing vessel, 22IK tons, owned in Nantes, 22 men. Gladys lioyale, ltritish steamship, 32(18 tons, owned in Sunderland, 2( Jiien. Honigarth, liritish, 3i;U9 ton gross, owned in Cardiff. Lndy Island (or I.andy Island) 4511(1 tons, 25 men (not listed). l.a Rochefoucauld, French sail'iK vessel, 2200 tons, owned in Nantes, 24 men. Force, British schooner, 3(54 tons, owned in Halifax, G men, one woman Finmorc, ltritish sailing vessel, 2431 tons, owned in Greenock, 2H men. (Continued on Pag 8li.) ' v OCCASIONAL RAINS "WASHINGTON. March 31. "Weather predictions for the week be ginning Sunday issued by tlio weather bureau follow: ".Pacific Btates: Generally fair ex cept for occasional rains on nonh Pacific coast. Temperatures BOine what above seasonal normal. " E Rapid Progress Made Both by Eng lish and French In Forcing Ger mans Back St. Quentin N eared by British French Troops Capture Stretch Northeast of Soissons. LONDON, March 31. British troops advancing on the front in northern France in pursuit of the re treating Germans have captured five additional villages, Holder's corres pondent at British headquarters re ports today. The villages taken are Heudiirourt, St. Kmilio, Murtcville, Vcrmnud and Soyccourt. "The British advance has made eonsiderahle progress, substantially deepening the bulge towards St. Quen tin and hiting into the German de fenses between Croiselles and the Bapaume-Caiabrai road," says the dispatch. "The British have gained full pos session of a strip of territory north east of Pennine, extending for about seven miles from Neuvillc-Bourpenval towards Villcrsl'aucon. Within this zone we occupied the villages of Fins, Sorel, lleudicourt nnd St. F.milie. The resistance which the garrisons of fered was comparatively slight. "The advance west-northwest of St. Quentin gained ns the villages of Marteville, Yennand and Soyccourt." French Successful. PARIS, March 31. French troops last night successfully attacked the German positions south of the Ail ette river and made important pro gross eastward, the war office an nounced today. . The French advance was scored to the east of the line running from Neii-ville-Sur-Margival to Vregny, north cast of Soissons. A number of points of support were brilliantly captured by the French forces. In the Champagne region five vio letn counter attacks delivered by the Germans on positions recaptured yes terday by the French west of Maisons de Champagne were cheeked, the Ger mans sustaining heavy losses. The statement follows: In the (liampagnc. "Between the Sonnne and the Oisc in the sector of Benny, there was spir ited artillery fighting. South of the Ailctlv we attacked with success sev eral positions of the enemy on the front between Xeuville sur Murgival and Vregny. Our troops made impor tant progress cast of this line and brilliantly carried several points of support, notwithstanding the ener getic defense of the Germans. "In the Champagne the Germans redoubled their efforts against the positions which wc recaptured yester day west of Maisons de Champagne. In the evening nnd during (he nighl the Germans made five violent coun ter attacks. Those assaults wore broken up and the enemy suffered vcrv heavy losses. The number of prisoners tnken was eighty, of whom two are officers. "In Alsace near Annuel Izweiller wo chocked a surprise attack of the enemy. We dispersed German pa trols in the region of l'I'ctloiiiauscn and took prisoners." CIIKYKNXK, Wyo., March 31. Under direction of the Wyoming Na tional Guard, the taking of n mili tary census of all male residents of the state was begun today. Governor Frank I. Iloux bns is sued a public npcal for recruits for the state militia. 1J NI K IN', March .11. Prince Lvoff, tlio Kuian premier nnd all the oilier members of the provisional ptvi rnmeiit left iVtroyrad today to vi-it (reneral headquarters at the fnm , n Kcutcr di-pateh tru 1'etro grud uuuuuueci. BRIT SH CAPTUR D WESTERN E msmm WHEN U-BOATS TORPEDO SHIPS Two British Steamers, the Snowden Range and Booth Liner Crispin, Both With Americans Aboard, Are Sunk Without Warning Two Americans Are Lost. WASHINGTON, March 31. Two British steamers, the Snowdon Raue and the Booth liner Crispin, both with Americans aboard, of whom a number aro unaccounted for, were reported to the state department to eay to have been sunk without warn ing by a submarine. On the Crispin the torpedo which struck the engine, room killed five men, two of whom are believed to have been Americans. Consul Frost, reporting tho loss of the freight liner Crispin, says: "Cris pin 24S3 tons, Newport News to Liv erpool, C8 horses, torpedoed without warning 14 miles off Hook Head 7:44 a. in., 29th. Sixty-eight out of ship's complement of 112 were Amer icans. Two boats missing, not im probable lost. Two Americans Killed. "Torpedo struck engine room star board side, explosion killed five men, two of whom believed Americans. Submarine not seen but wake of tor pedo seen by Americans. Vessel car ried gun and wireless. Latter was wrecked by explosion. "Weather moderate, wind, , overcast, heavy swells. Vessel sank slowly but . re turn on board not feasible owing to heavy sea. "One boat with 19 survivors land ed at Queenstown, including captain, chief steward, veterinarian and ten Americans, P.. H. Klser, Newport .News; Carl Larkensen, -Augusta, Ga.; James Smith, BaUimofeV Bland Tins- ley, Philadelphia; It. L. Hays, Cov ington; James Franklin, New York City; George Killy, Baltimore; Geo. St. Armand, Worcester; Harry Davis, Baltimore; John Williams, Newport News. "Other boats believed landing Mil ford Haven and elsewhere." The dispatch from Liverpool, re porting the sinking of the Snowdon flange follows: Shells and Itoinlis. "British steamer Snowdon Range from Liverpool with general cargo, one gun aft, torpedoed without warn ing at 8:45 a. m., March 2S, thirty five miles from Holly Head. No ves sel in sight, sea calm, weather hazy, no resistance, submarine submerged at time of attack. Four killed by ex plosion, remainder of crew took to boats, including James Carol, Phila delphia; Gcorgo Alexander, colored, Wilmington, N. C; Burt Thcbalt, Philadelphia, native born Americans, and Harry .McCabo, naturalized, no present address. "Submarine emerged, showing German flag, shelled Snowdon Range, then boarded and removed detachable brass, placed bombs, vessel sunk. Crew picked up at (i p. in., taken Holly Head." American Killed A later dispatch from Consul Frost definitely established the ktllln; of one American and tiald others pro bably had been killed. Tho CVsplu was bound for Avonmoiith. "One American negro, probably named Holller," the message said, "wos killed by the explosion. Total killed and missing now eight of whom some besides Holller were Americans. Some survivors landed as follows: Nineteen at Queenstown, seventy at Mllford Haven, two at Dan moro, Ireland and thirteen are on an admiralty vessel to land at Qoens town tomorrow evening. "It now transpires thill the ships wireless did get off signals using re verse batteries." U-BOAT CHASERS WASHINGTON, March 31. Fifty more bids for construction of small, fast patrol boats nnd the submarine chasers were received today at the navy department. Knch bidder of fered one or more boats in the whoit- est possible time. Contracts for more than 100 chasers can be let im mediately, inchidini: those tentatively awarded last week, and facilities are available for construction of 400 or 0UU mure during the present yeur. THE SANDS ARE STONE 10 OPPOSE WAR DECLARATION IN THE SENATE WASHINGTON, MiirHi .'11. Son ntor Stone, clinirmnn of the. foreign relations committee, broke his si lence today on the inU'rmilionitl situ ation mill said Dial war appears probable; that lie will vote against a war declaration, but will jjivo I 'resi dent Wilson his unlimited support it' war is decided upon. Senator Stone said he did not know t lit president's program, but Vuuld co-opcnile in enabling congress to promptly express its convictions. The foreign relations eommiltee will meet at three o'clock in the after noon the day the president addresses congress. Senator Stone intimated that the handling of n war resolution in the senate would he left to some other senator acceptable to the president and the eommiltee. Senator 1 Mich cock of Nebrak'i, next in rank to Senator Stone, has told the presi dent that he opposes n war declara tion and that it appears probable Sen ator Williams of Mississippi, the next in line on the democratic side ini.ulit lie chosen. CLOSE NORTH SEA 10 ALL SHIPPING LONDON, March III. The Uriti.-h admiralty announces that in view of the unrestricted u-c of mines and submarines by the Germans and the sinkimr of merchantmen without re gard for the sal'elv of the crews the "area of the North sea which is ren dered dangerous to all shipping by owrations nu'fin-t tin? enemy will be extended on and after April 1." PLAN 10 MOBILIZE F, NEW YOltK, March .1 1 .Mobiliza tion of the agricultural resources of tho l'nlted Slates In order to safe guard the country's food Bupply In time of war w ill lie considered at a convention to be held in Washington April id under tho auspices of tho National Agrh ultural Society, It wa-i announced today. RUNNING LOW! T PROTECT ITS 01 PHILADELPHIA. March 31. Son-ator-IOloot lllram W. Johnson of Cal ifornia, speaking at a patriotic dem onstration hero today, declared that the United StatoB "will suffer much, even to tlio very tension of honor' before going to war, but that for the nation to refuse to maintuln Its dein ocratir. Ideals and protect Us cltlzonn would ho to sow "within Itself the seeds of dissolution." "Democracy to survive must ever !'i ready to protect Its own," ho said. ' l.'very normally constituted matt nl hors war. A nation such as ohm, consecrated to freedom, and equality uiii'inR men, determined that all 'if Cod's people must share In tlod'3 blessings, that common folks may have their fair shnre of common hap piness nnd a, comfortable placo In the sun, will Rui'for much, even to the very tension of honor, before engag ing -i bloody strife. Hut a nation. Hindi as ours, dependent for its per n lulty upon tho character of Its cit izenship, that dare not maintain Its Ideals and will not protect the Uvea of Ms citizens .sows within Itself the seeds of dissolution. "We should have no selfish war of nggrundlc!,ent or agression. Wo have no lust of conquest. We wou'd, only when Imperatively compolled by the transgression of our rights, by the destruction ot our lives, enter the combat and then In the spirit of Am orlci' that tok no Indemnity fr)in China and returned Culm unto lis own people." ONLY 10 LUMBER KUdKXK, (Ire., March .'II. l'ota toes stum second only to lumber in Oregon's exports, according to diiln compiled by Allan ('. Hopkins of (Yn tral I'oint, of the l.'nivcrsilv of Ore Ron school id' commerce I'or the Cnit ed Stales deportment of ii'riculture. In lillli, Mr. Hopkins finds :t."i,7!H tons of potnloes, or 1!-IH(t ciii'londs, were shipped out of Hie stale, hriiiu:- inf to the producer, nl nn iivcrnirc1 price ol if I. lit) u hundred, npproM mutely $1 1,(1(1(1,111111, This sum is nn average of $2(1 each lor every man woman and child is the state. The viehl varies from (i bushels in dry Wasco county to JOU in tin moist Cuoa. AMERICA PUTS 11 UPON GERMANY Zimmermann's Speech Brings Offic ial Admission From Washington That Government Knew in Janu ary That U-Boat Decree Would Be Issued Protest for Modification. WASHINGTON, March 31. Sec rotary Zimmerman's speech to the reichstug charging the United States with responsibility for war if It comes brought forth today for the rlrst time official admission that the United States government knew In tlio mid dlo of January that the ruthless sub marine dorreee was to be issued and that after Its Issuance throe days wore allowed to elapse beroro giving Germany an opportunity to modify or repeal It before the sev erance of diplomatic relations wero announced. Count Von Dernstorff, it was stat ed by department officials, know of the Impending decree two weeks be fore it was Issued, and made every effort with hla government to have It repealed, (eimaiiy to Viluino Officials hero are much aroused by Germany's continued attempts to con vict the United Stntes of desiring war and ,they intend to show that every possible opportunity was given (jor- many to avoid it. America's action they point out, forshadowed In the Sussex note, delivered eight and a half months before the German de cree, merely followed out the policy then outlined. Germany, on the other hand, abrogated hor promises on sev en hours notice to this government and then In fnoe of certain drastic actloil by this country, Ullowed three days to pass without another attempt to meet tho United States. That Germany's decree was discuss ed two weeks ahead ot Its issue adds now interest to the Austrian submar I no for it was Just at that timo that Count Tranowskl left Austria for this country to become the new Austrian ambassador. Whether Vienna was convinced that the United States would not sever relations, whether Austria was a silent and unsympa thetic party to Germany's action or whether tho now ambassador was en trusted with special arguments, to present tho Teutonic viewpoint, are not known. Klate of War Kvlst.s Zimmerman's statement that the United States had tiled to sot the entire war ngainst Germany af'.er the break mlcl't bo conr.tiucd by this gov ernment, it was stated, as a rcuKiil tlon that Germany considered a state of war had existed from the date of the severance of relntlons and Pre sident Wilson's appeal to neutrals to take similar net Ion. Whotber Germany took that, point of view or not was stated no: to be known, VILLA DEFEATED BV JUAHIOZ. Mexico, March 31. Un usual military precautions wero being taken hero today to prevent Fran cisco Villa and his forces from repeat ing the coup of November Ifi, 1914 when ho surprlsod tho garrison hero and captured tho city after having been defeated ut Chihuahua City Villa reached tho city at that time on a troop train which was announc ed as a federal train and to prevent this trick being duplicated, all train movements have been suspended be tween here and Chlhuahu;r. Out posts have been stationed along tho railway and guards doubled about the city. No trains wero permitted to leave hero yesterday or today or no train has arrived from Chihuahua City since Thursday. Tho victory yesterday over Villa has caused a general celebration and General Kranrlsro MurRUla Is being called tho hero of northern Mexico following Ills defeat or Villa, (len eial Jose Carlos Margula, his broth er, who la In command here, was busy receiving the congratulations of city officials and military officials today. URY R1S NOT GUILTY OF Seattle Mayor, Chief of Police, and Detectives, Charged With Con spiracy to Violate Liquor Laws and Having Accepted a Bribe are Ac quitted After Long Deliberation. SEATLE, Wash., March 31. Tho Jury In the case of Mayor Hiram GUI Chief of Police Charles L. Becklng ham and City Detective Meyer M, Pey ser, John Poolman, James Doom and Daniel J. McLennan, on trial In the United Stntes district court charged with conspiracy to violating the fed eral laws by Importlon of liquor Into the state of Washington, returnel a verdict of not guilty as to all the de fendants this morning. The jury received the case at 5:30 last night, and the verdict was read In the court at 9: DO this morning, but had been arrived at before that time. The Jury had been engaged la wordy arguments all night. There was de lay In presenting the verdict owing to the defendants not being In court. Acusod of Ilrlbery Mayor Gill was accused of taking $-1 000 from Logan Bllllngsley tot dropping suits against Blllingsley's brothers for liquor selling, returning Incriminating papers and promising immunity to them. Chief of Police Becklngham was accused ot taking bribes of $1200 from Fred Bllllngsley. The detectives were accused of taking money from the BUllngsleya for letting liquor shipments to the Illlllngsleys ontor tho city while they were guarding the waterfront. The trial ended by, the verdict Just announced was begun March 6, The principal witnesses for the "govern ment wore Logan and Fred Billings ley nnd their former employes, con fessed liquor sellers, and the witness es for tho defense were chiefly po licemen and confessed liquor sellers, many of them former Bllllngsley em ploye". Ninety Witnesses Ninety witnesses testified In the ense, including the six defendants. There wore several defendants when tho case opened, but at the conclusion of the prosecution's presentation of evidence, Judge Neterer Instructed the jury to bring a vordict of acquit tal ot ox-Sheriff Robert T. Hodge, one of tho defendants, saying that the evidence presented against Hodge showed oftonsos not against the Unlt od States laws, but against the state laws, with which the federal grand jury had nothing to do. TO WASHINGTON, March 31. Presi ilent Wilson, having decided fully with the cabinet, upon a course of action to meet Hie national emergency, to day set about the task of reducing the conclusions to writing". Kxnctly what these conclusions aro will be disclosed officially when the president appears before congress next week to deliver his momentous mcssnge. Indications today, however, were Hint u formal recognition of the ex istence of a sliile of war between tho luited Slates and Clermuny would result. The disclosure Hint n definite de cision hud been reached, wus mado following a finul conference between President Wilson Bud his cabinet ad visers yesterday. Decision was reached quickly and it was said there was no diversion of opinion on the iitestion. lust what part tho United StntM would play in the war ngainst Ger many will not be developed until nfler congress defines tho nation's stntus mid completes urgent defense legis lulion. Alennlinio pluns for ortrnnUntion of the house so Unit President Wilson mny appear early next week before congress went nlieiul today. Until it is known definitely, however, when orgunizntinii will be effected, no dnto for tlio president's nppcarunee will be set. LIQUOR BRIBERY