University Ornn
Liiwarv
WEATHER rax. yesterday, 70; nun. today, 15. Precipitation Similar, .27. FORECAST Fair; cooler foiiilit; liglit frost.
EDFO
Fortv-seventh Tear.
MEDFORD OREGON. MONDAY, APRIL 23. 1017
NO. 27
Patly Twelfth Year.
M
Mail t
RIBUNE m
X3 13
GOVERNMEWT WINS OA ClAWD GRANT
ALL RIGHTS r s OFFENSIVE
Himnun dpipbini x in both houses ic DENFUiFn
I U 111 LI I LU British Foreifln Minister and Mem- y .' XI 'M Administration Measure to Create U I Dili I lull
. 1 i;ir Htnh nnmrntuian cn.nrf h. - 'WJS' Big Army Under Debate in Bath .
Supreme Court Decides 0. & CAand
Grant Case in Favor of United
States Southern Pacific Loses
Title to 2,300,000 Acres of Land,
and All Rights to Proceeds From
Sale of Timber and Minerals
Chamberlain Bill Sustained.
WASHINGTON, April 23. In de
ciding the Oregon-California: luiul
case today the supremo court offirm
ed the Oregon federal court's decree
enjoining the Southern Pacific rail
road from disposing ot timber and
minerals on its lands received by con
gressional grant.
By the same decision the govern
ment won in Its suit against the
Southern Pacific railroad to regain
nearly 2,300,000 acrcB of Oregon and
Washington laud worth $30,000,000.
Chamberlain Hill Ipheld.
The Chamberlain-Ferris, law of
.916 forfeiting and divesting the
railroad's title to the lands granted
by congress in 1SCC and providing for
federal sale of the lands, timber and
minerals was upheld as constitution
al. Through Justice McKenna the court
held .that the Oregon federal, court's
decree enjoining the sale by the rail
road of timber and minerals on the
land was entirely in accordance with
the supreme court's previous orders.
The decision was unanimous and en
tirely In favor of the government
except as to costs of the litigation
a considerable sum the court order
ing that the government should not
receive its costs.
When the caso was fiHst before the
supreme court In 9 1 r , the court re
versed the Oregon federal district
court's decree forfeiting tfcu land
bat directed an injunction prohl'ut
tjlig future sale by the rai.ioad at
note than $2.50 per acre pending
action by congress to provide regu
lations for propert disposition of lim
ber and minerals thereon.
Points of Contest.
Upon this suggestion, congress
passed the Chamberlain-Ferris act
of 1916, absolutely forfaiting and
"divet:tlr&'' the railroads title for
breach of the settler's sain prirj o!
$2.50 providing for disposition by
the federal government and for ulti
mate payment to the railroad of lands
forfeited at $2.50 per ace
(Continued on paeo six.)
JUN'EAU. Alaska, April 2 3. The
flooding of the great mines of the
Treadwell system on Douglas island,
on the opposite siilo of Clastinau
channel from Juneau, throws out of
employment thousands of men em
ployed by the system, which is own
ed by the Alaska Vnitod iiold Min
ing company. The stamp mills at
the surface, the largest In the world,
are uninjured. Some ot the men who
lose employment will he taken up by
a company that is developing ore
bodies on the mainland, near Juneau
t The officers of the Treadwell system
I had always been awaro of tho dan
ger of their works under tho sea,
and had taken every precaution
agnlnst an Inrush of the sea water.
Explorations had shown that the
whole of Douglas island was under
laid by the low grade ore which had
already yielded $110,000,000 of gold.
It If. hoped that this ore will he reach
ed by new workings. So far ns known
there was on loss of life. Machinery
and equipment valued at $ 1 0,000,000
is believed to be a total loss.
Day in Social Formalities-Arrival ,I0ITX :T Senate and Hollse-Selec,ive Co"-
of French Delegates Awaited Be- k 0 J) jSv scription Likely to Pass Both
fore Conferences Begin. JSP y i f I Hollses-Germans Protest.
WASHINGTON', i,i 23. Brit
ish Foreign Minister Balfour unci
members of the high commission
here to discuss conduct of the war
began their first official day in
Washington with a round of calls, the
i'irst of which was at tile state de
part nient.
Soon nl'ler 10:30, Mr. lialfour, ne
compnnicd by the British ambassa
dor, Sir. Cecil Spring-Rice, drove
from the mansion which has been
given orcr to him, to the stale de
partment building, and paid a formal
call on Secretary Lansing.
The British umhiissador and Hugh
L. Gibson of the stale department,
who has been detailed ns Mr. Bal
four's aide, remained with Secretary
Lansing and the British foreign min
ister only a short time, and then
withdrew, leaving the two high offi
cials together.
Social Koiinalitios.
The conference between Mr. Bul
lour and MY. Lansing was not pro
longed nml at its conclusion the two
men left the building to cross over lo
the while house, where the British
foreign minister wns received by
President Wilson.
It was made known by members of
the commission (hat today anil to
morrow are to he devoted to social
formalities und that the stage of
conferences is not expected to he
reached before Wednesday.
All the attaches of the commission
have not yet reached Washington.
Some are expected to land in the
I'nited States from a passenger ship
today or tomorrow. Meanwhile, the
French commission is expected, but
it was said today there were no plans
for joint conferences at this stage,
although undoubtedly would be some
later on.
The conferences arc not expected
to he prolonged and it was said today
that alter the principal subjects have
been gone, over, it was probable I hat
Mr. Balfour and some other members
ot the conunission might return to
Fnghinil, leaving details lo be work
cd out by subordinates.
Courtesy to America.
It was emphasized again today
that the controlling motive of the
I'.riti-h commission's visit to tin1
I'nited States was one of service and
courtesy to American people, with
the view of enlightening this govern
men! "en the price Great Britain
paid" ns one of the commissioner:
put it -for her mistakes on entering
the war.
Measures by which tile I'nited
States can extend to its allies the
most readily available assistance will
first, be discussed, and foremost
among Ihese nre questions of ship
ping and food.
It was said that the food situn
tion in Knglunil is not ns acute as hai
been represented, but that Great
I'ntain, having pooled her resources
with her allies, is called upon to sup-
ply food for France and Italy where
the situation is more pressing. H i:
possible that before Mr. Balfour
leaves the I'nited Slates he may he
invited to address I be senate.
AS UNITED STATES
WASHINGTON', April 21!. Fur
ther encouraging reports from Rus
sia cimie today in n dispatch lo the
-I. ile department telling of the el'fcc
President Wilson's war nddres
awl ilechLriiiL' that Russia under the
new ilernoeralic provisional govern
j no more likely to abandon the
" 0"iii a.-nicung ner c.oj
I than is the United States.
"When (he country calls, a million young men will spring
LONDON .April 23. The Turks in
Mosopotamia havo evacuated the
Iztaliilat position on the right bank
f the Tigris, ten miles below Sam
ara, the war oltice announces. They
ire now being attacked at ft point six
miles nearer Samara.
The announcement follows:
"During Saturday night the enemy
evacuated the remainder of the Iz-
tabilat position, portions of which we
had stormed and consolidated on the
previous day. At daybreak Sunday
our troops pressed on in pursuit,
capturing some prisoners mid one 5.0
howitzer.
"The enemy was found occupying
another position on the right bank of
the Tigris river about six miles fur
ther toward Samara, and at 7 o'clock
on the evening of Sunday, when
Clencrul Maude's telegram wns dis
patched, this position was being at
tacked.
As n result of an air fight on Sun
day a new Ilalberstadl airplane was
brought down. The pilot, who was
the enemy's flying corps commander,
was killed."
0. 8 C. TIMBER LAND
PORTLAND, dr., April 23.
Most of the railroad hind ul lcclcd bv
today's ruling of the supreme court
lies in western Oregon on both sides
of the Southern Pncilie, railroad line.
'Inly a small part of the grant is in
Washington.
I'nited Stales District Attorney
Clarence Kennies, when told of the
ruling today, said the unsold timber
and mineral hinds on the unsold rail
road grants prohuhly will be open for
actual settlers within six months as
a result of the decision.
SEVEN BILLION DOLLAR LOAN
BILL SENT TO PRESIDENT
WASHINGTON, April 23. The
$7.000,0110,0(10 war loan bill was fin
ally pertectcd in bolh houses of con
gress today by agreement on all
amendments and sent to the white
bouse for President Wilson's signature.
- - 'a TlPSLifllEit.--
T
OF IZE-CHUEA
CIIEXO TV, Cliinu, April 23.
Fierce fighling has broken out in the
streets here between the Sze-Cliucn
and Yunun troops. The oiilhrcuk is
the climax lo (be friction between the
two parties which has .steadily in
creased since the Yiinimcse forces
entered Cheng-Tu Inst April. The di
rect cause of the outbreak wns the
attempt of the military governor of
bze-Chuen, who is Yununese, to dis
band tho provincial troops and
strengthen his grip on tho province.
The fighting sturted on Wednesday
night and continued all next ilnv nnd
night. Many houses were burned
and trenches nnd barricades were
constructed by both parties. The
British, French anil Japanese con
suls, at uiuch personal risk, have
succeeded in arranging an armistice,
but the situation is still critical. All
foreigners nre safe so far.
Cheng Tu is the capital of the
province of Ize-Clincn, which lies di
reclly north of the Province of Yu
nun, in the southwest of Chinn.
Clicng-Tu is one of the largest nnd
most important cities of China. II
population is estimated at 8110,01111.
and it is II16 sen! of right American
and British missions, with a person
nel of 52 men and (IH women.
CHASES U. S. VESSEL
NKW YOKK. April li.'l.-An Ameri
can rdeamship wan chased for five
niih'H liv tin; German wn raider Se-
ndlor, ol't the cna-t of Hni7.il on Ap
ril j'J, iieeordim; to (ho captain l
the vessel, which readier! 1 his purl
today. Tho Socndlcr, previously re
ported hv tin victims of her raid on
their nrrivnl nt Ki Janeiro, was for
merly tho American hark I 'ass of
Jliilnialia, into which the; (iernnin-
had fitted irasohne motors.
The enptnin of the steam-hip paid
the raiders had Norwegian flairs
painted on her side and mounted
two pun apparently of eiht-inch
enliher.
Thin in the fir-t report of th op
orations of the Seeailler ninoe crew
from ships she fcank reached JEW
Janeiro, March Ul.
to nrms." Biyan.
T
GIIAND I IIC A DQUARTKUS WITH
Til IS IlltlTIHII ON TIIK WKSTKKN
FIION'T, April 23. Tho disappear
ance In nn aerial engagement of Ser
geant Jus. II. McConnell, tho Amer
ican aviator, calls attention once
more to tho brilliant work of the La
Fayette squudrllla, which is composed
entirely of Americans with tho excep
tion of two French officers in charge,
Captain Georges do Theiinult and
Lieutenant Do Lago Do Motix.
Since Its formation lust year tho
squudrllla, whose official designation
Is the "X-12 4." has undergono some
change of personnel. Tho new men
however, are living well up to the
traditions of those who havo passed
through Its ranks, some of whom have
miido the "great sacrifice" for Franco
in return for tho help Hho gavo to
America during tho revolution while
ot Iters havo had to retiro owing to
wounds or injuries.
Ily their daring and skill tho young
Americans havo won not only tho ad
miration of their French comrades,
but also the wholesome respect of the
German airmen opposed to them. I'p
to date nt. least 110 enemy airplnncH
are known to havo fallen victims to
the American Huuadrilla and It is
possiblo that more havo been brought
down over tho German lines, but
without certain proof of their des
truction nn credit is given to the uvla
tor for these.
WASHINGTON'. April 23. - For
eign nnd domestic Irude bureau stit
tisties announced lodav show tin
country's foreign trade increased it
March i l."il,(ilui,0(Ml over Pclii'miry
totals.
Kxporls for Ihe nine months end
ing with March were valued n(
.tl.li31,!lll(i,(ill(l, against .', !l!l."i,.',(in,
1100 for the eoncsponiliiig period ii
101(1 nnd $1,031,000,000 in 101.'
Imports for nine mouths ending with
March were valued at .tl,HlH,320,
1)00; at I, "i( 1,0113,00(1 in p.llli, and
ut $1,213,011,000 in 1013.
WASHINGTON, April 23. The
ndminislralion bill to create n ' big
nnny by a selective draft was under
debate in bolh houses of congress to
duy. It wus tuken up in tho house
for the first lime and in the somite
debute was resumed.
The house bill, as reported bv n
innjority of the committee, provided
for volunteer enlistment with con
scription only ns a last resort, and
the fight for Ibis measure wus led by
Chairman Dent of the military com
mittcc, whose supporters lelt sure
Ihut they would make a good show
ing. A strong clement in the bouse
however, bucket! Iho selective con
scription plan advocated by the nrmy
general staff nnd recommended bv
Ibe mitilary committee minorilv, led
by Representative Kabn of Califor
nia, ft republican.
Debate is Opened.
In the senate the bill was under
In ilie scnnlc the bill under eon
sidcruliou was the general shift":
mensure.
In the house tho lull was taken up
under an ngrcemenl. providing for
eighleen hours of general deluile lo
be followed by five-minule Inlks.
In opening Ihe scnnlc ilchule Sen
uior Weeks said Ihe iieopte demnnil
conscription or would demnnd it if
they were correctly informed.
When the house began debate
limit was fixed, but it was agreed
thai it should run on lodu.v uiiiil 0
'lock.
Chninnnn Dcnl of Ihe mililnrv
cpmmillee, who favors n call for vol
unleers, while the conscription rcg
islrulion machinery is being made
ready, opened Ihe debate.
Army of Million.
MY. Dent explained that the bill ns
amcmrcd by the coinmitlee gives mi
thority to rnise an nnny of practical
ly 1,(1110,(1110 men nnd "safeguards
American birthright to volunteer for
service ill defense of the count rv.
The president, he said, is still nu
Iborizcd lo proceed with arrange
incuts for Ihe selective draft and has
absolute aiilborily lo determine on
which syslcui Ihe nrmy would be
raised.
Representative Lunn, dcinocrnl
and former socialist mayor of Sclic
neclaily, urged conscription, declnr
ing (lint in voting In give the presi
dent nil (he power and resources o
the country lor currying out Ihe wur
he und others look Mint action liter
ully and without equivocation
Applause for Koclallsls,
Representative Lunn aroused
laughter and applause by suggesting
that mi amendment be written into
.the hill inn king it necessary to give
soldiers 'ulrciidy in the service n se
olid opportunity to enlist, in ord
that their services might he wholly
democratic. Loud applause greele
his remarks.
Represental ivc F.aglc of Texas in
lerrupteil Lunn lo say that his of
lice was being lion, h-d with pro!
ngainsl conscription signed by
snnie persons who a year ago i
pleading the cause of Germany.
lT.TKOGIIAD, April 23.-An offi
cial Htiiieuient issued toduy said:
"On the Riimnninn front by suc
cessful counter ntliu ks we drove the
enemy out of Ihe udvniicci! poss he
bad occupied nnd re-cstnblished our
first lines.
"Persia: Persians and Kurds de
molished telegraphs and telephones
in Ihe rear ot our troops."
After Week's Interlude, British Re
new Great Drive In Northern
France, Attacking a Wide' Front
on River Scarpe, Taking Last Part
of Hindenhurg Line More Than
1000 Prisoners Taken Today and
Line Straightened Out.
LONDON, April 23. The British.
have opened an attack on a wide front
In tho region of the Scarpe river. The
official report Issued today says that
isfactory progress Is being made.
The British captured the village of
Trescaiilt nnd gained the greater part
of llavrincourt wood. Besides tend
ing still further to encompass the
city ot Lens, the movement is di-
octed toward both Doual, the impor
tant German distributing point to
the northeast, and the Hindenburg
lino key point of Cambrai, to the
southeast.
PAH1S. April 23. Heavy artil
lery firing continues along tho front
of tho French, the war office an
nounces. East of Cruonue tho Ger
mans after n fierce bombardment
grouped tlctachmonts for an attack.
rcnch guns replied effectively and
provented tho attack.
Thousand Captured.
BRITISH HEADQUARTERS IN
FRANCF, April 23. In their new of
fensive the British have captured the
town of Gcvrclle, the last part of the
defonscs of the Hindenburg line north
of tho Scarpe. Thoy also have taken
tho vtllugo of Gueniiippe, south of
tho Scarpe.
More than 1000 prisoners have
been taken today.
The lull In tho past week on the
British front was broken today by
attacks which spread along a wide
front. Tho fighting was particularly
severe on both banks of the Scarpe,
where (he British pushed forward In
their initial successes and won the
battlo of Arras.
lntlinl Successes.
It is only possible at this writing
to givo very indefinite news, but the
first reports coining back indicate
the capture of Gavrelle, north of the
Scarpe, and Geumnppe, to the south
of that stream.
A big push also was made opposite
Crolssllles nnd rroni Hint sector of the
front alone comes tho report that
moro than 1000 prisoners were tak
en. Gavrelle is a part of the lost defi
nite defense the Germans have before
falling back on what is known as the
Drocoiirt-tlueant switch to the Hin
denburg lino.
The British also made progress in
tho region southwest of Lens, the
German garrison of which town daily
la facing a more critical situation,
Two Days' Boiiitiartlincnt,
Tho fighling today wns under fine
weather and a chill northwest wind.""
Tho latter, however, dried the ground
(Continued on page six.)
TOKIO, April 23. The result of
tho election shews n regrettable
ii pit 1 1) y i;s to the extent ot develop
ment nml an nlisencn of a political
awakening, according to the Ji.II, the
AkhI and tho Xichi Nlcht, leading
papers of Toklo. Tho opposition
press di-clares Hint tho government
victory Is fleeting and insists that
tho alliance of tho Scl Yukal party
(constllutlonnllHt party) with Count
Terniiehl is tempornry nnd certain
to prei Ipitato a ministerial crisis, it
bases this belief on the ground that
the Scl Yukal is opposed to non-party
ministries.