Medford mail tribune., April 27, 1917, Page 1, Image 1

Uf,!' orsl'.y tf Drcyon
Library
WEATHER Maximum yesterday, CG; minimum today, 39. FORECAST Tonight and tomorrow, fair
pnrl v-Bftventh Ypdr.
Daily Twelfth Year.
MEDFORD OREGON, FRIDAY, APRTL 27, 1917
NO. 31
MA IT T
RIBUNE Mfc
TEUTONSFAIL
N RATI FTfl u UNUUNOTIIUN
5 : INF iN1iMINE THISJVENING
ULiniu. um.
Desperate Efforts of Germans to
Drive British From Captured
Heights of the Arras Front Fail
After Four Days of Bitterest and
Moodiest Fighting World Has
Seen Since Verdun British Win
i Important Positions Near Gavrelle.
LONDON, April 27. Important
posirions between liocti.v ami Cavrclle
and near the Arrus-Camhrai mad
lmve been captured by the British,
tlie war office announces today.
The statement roads:
"The enemy made a minor unsuc
cessful attack last ni;.-lit near Fuyet,
northwest of St. Quentin.
"During the night we captured llic
qunrries on the eastern outskirts of
lhirgicourt.
"Near the Arrns-Cninbrui road and
on the spur between lioeux and Ga
vrelle important enemy positions were
captured by lis.
"Northwest of Lens a German raid
ing party was repulsed."
(ionium Efforts Fail.
Desperate efforts, of the Germans
lo drive the British from the cap
tured heights of the Arras front have
failed after four days of (he bitter
est fighting the world has seen since
tliA bloody days of Verdun.
Military critics expect the ntlaeks
will be renewed if the German man
power can stand the awful drain, as
the retention by General llnig of the
hills crowning the plain of Douai
spells almost certain dooai to the
Wolen line, the last protection bar
rier between Douai and Cambrai.
In the lull of the (treat battle the
murmur of the rising currents of dis
content which are sweeping through
Europe can be heard more plainly.
The Berlin papers are showing in
creased alarm over the threatened
general strike on May first.
130 Cannon Captured.
PARIS, April 27. The French
have captured several trenches on the
heights around Moronvillicrs and have
also gnined ground near Hurtohiso
and Corny, the war office announced
tdny. One hundred and thirty can
non have been captured since April
10.
. The statement follows :
"The artillery fighting was rather
spirited sonih of St. Ouentin in the
sector between Nan'.cuil-La-Fos-'o
and Snncy and near Ville-Aux-Bois.
During the night the German surprise
attacks against our front were re
pulsed. "Near Ilurlchise and Corny we
gained ground and took forty pris
oners. Near Moronvillicrs we cap
tured several trench elements and oc
cupied a point of support east of the
mountain without a name.
"During nn incursion into the en
emy lines at tho forest, of I.e I'd re,
French edtaohmonts, inflicted heavy
losses on tho adversary, destroyed
shelters and brought baidt prisoners.
"Between Soissons and Aulicrive
since April 16 we have captured one
hundred and thirty cannon.
RERUN. Auril 27. Along the
AisAC and in the Champagne tbe ar
tillery fighting is developing to a pitch
of greater violence, saiil today's of
ficial report from the western front.
WASHINGTON, April 27. Offi
cers of the regular army who will
command the officer training camps
ftbe west arc:
Col. Win. J. Nicholson, eleventh
cavalry, Fort Sheridan, 111., Col. Rob
ert L. Billiard, Twenty-idxth Infantry
Fort Logan H. Root, Arkansas; Col.
Wni. H. Sage, Twelfth Infantry, Fort
Snelling, Minnesota; Col. Tyrce R.
Rivers, Detached Cavalry, Fort HileV.
Kansas; Col. Win. S. Scott. Sixteenth
Cavalry, Ion Springs, Texas; Lieut
Colonel Fred W. Sladin, Seventh
Field Artillery, Sail Francisco,
minefiretraps
Mi niiftii nn ti nil nnimnninTinii
Coal Mine of Victor-American Fuel
Company Ahiaze Cause Unknown
Think There Was Explosino
Though There Was No Sign of it
on Outside Smoke From Entry.
TRINIDAD, Colo., April 27. Fire
in the Victor American Fuel company
mlue No. 2 at Hastings, near here, is
believed to have trapped 120 coal
miners.
Fire was first noticed coming out
of tbe mouth of the mine shortly af
ter 9:30 this morning. Helmet crews
which entered had made no report
this afternoon as to whether or not
they had reached the entombed men.
The cause of the fire Is unknown.
Rescuers are being hurried into the
workings. At 1:50 o'clock this after
noon 50 men had descended to aid in
the fight to save the entombed work
men. A messenger who reached here
from tho scene said:
Duo to War riot.
"The fire broke out shortly before
9:30 o'clock when smoke was seen
coming from the mine. We think
there was an explosion also but there
is no sign of it on the outside. Heavy j
smoke is pouring from me mine.
"Not a word has come from the in-
sido since the fire started."
Reports were in circulation this af
ternoon that the fire was the result
of a war plot, Austrian miners being
suspected. A company of troops has
lieen guarding the property for some
weeks.
At 2:30 o'clock a mine rescue par
ty, headed by Superintendent Cam
eron, was driven from the mine by
the dense volumes of black smoke.
The party penetrated 1200 feet of the
workings. The entombed men are
2000 feet beyond that point.
Tjitt.lo Hope or Koscue.
DENVER, Colo., April 27. James
Dalryinple, chief Inspector of the
state mining bureau, left Denver this
afternoon for Hastings, Colo., to take
charge of the rescue work. Word
was received at tho capitol that the
Victor-American Fuel company's res
cue car and and crew from La Junta
had reached Hastings and had en
tered the mine.
Heavy smoke was pouring from the
mine at 1:30 o'clock and it was
feared there was little hope of rescu
ing the men.
The Hastings mine Is one of the
largest of the Victor-American Coal
company. It is near Ludlow, about
2 0 miles from Trinidad.
.Mine officials answered all queries
as to safety of the men Inside by say
ing they had no knowledge of the fire
or Its proximity to the entombed men.
Groups of workmen of the Colorado
Fuel and Iron company from camps
at Soprls, Primero, Starkville and
Frederick also hurrying to Hastings
to aid In rescue.
A force of more than l.'O rescue
workers will be in tbe mine tills af
ternoon. WASHINGTON, April 27. Action
to prevent even a suspicion of graft
in the' disbursement of $3,000,000,
000 army funds has been taken by
the war department. The following
has been sent out:
"The purchase of any article, pub
lication or other thing by which an
officer of the army would derive fi
nancial profit will not be permitted
to be made from public funds during
tho present war."
"Every effort to decentralize the
administration of army funds will be
maed In tho Interest of quick service
but officers will be held rigidly ac
countable."
DUKE OF ABRUZZI T-T
LEAD ITALIAN MISSION
ItnMK. April 27. The Duke of
Abnizi, cuii-in of Ihe king and nd
mini! of the navy, v. ill head the ltal
inn mi--ion !o the I'nitod Stales Sen
ator Win. Marconi ulo will be a
member.
houseto vote
Senate Debate to be Concluded To
morrow, House Tonight Kenyon
Wants Teddy Sent to Front Vol
unteering Declared Failure by
Record to Date.
WASHINGTON, April 27. General
debate on the army bill closed in tbe
house late today and members began
the final five minute speech making
on amendments to continue far into
the night to dispose of the bill by 6
a. m. tomorrow, if possible.
Chairman Dent closed Ihe argument
in favor of the volunteer amendment
and Representative Kalin Hummed in
support of straight cut selective con
scription. Toddy Refused Permit.
Under the five minute rule Repub
lican Leader Mann made the first
announcement as to bis attitude to
ward the draft, declaring he had con
eluded "we must smite the enemy;
we ought to start right, make no ex
ceptions, and declare that nil men are
equally liable to military service."
lie said there would be no disgrace
hereafter in having been drafted.
By a vote of 170 to 106 the house
today refused to to amend the army
bill so as to permit Colonel Roose
velt to raise a volunteer force for
service in France.
In the senate the hill was taken up
under an agreement to reach a final
vote by tomorrow night. Sixteen
senntors still were to he heard,
Jones Favors Draft.
Debate in the senate was opened
by Senator Jones, republican, of
Washington, who supported the selec
tive draft.
"Tile man who must conduct the
war, our commander in chief, urges it
as a wise and necessary measure
now," said he. "The military au
thorities almost without exception
urge it. Tho senate committee that
has fully examined into it recommend
it
The lessons of this great war
point to it ns a wise course,
should I not vote for it?"
Why
Senator Kenyon read figures to
show enormous increases m the in
comes of corporations affected by the
war and added :
"I want to say that while I am vot
ing for conscription of men, I tun
going to vote later on for conscrip
tion of the incomes of this county. In
my judgment every inemo nbove $100
000 should be commandeered or con
scripted for the benefit of the gov
ernment to carry on this war. That
proposition is going to' conic up bo-
fore we get through with the tax bill
Senator McCumber declared that.
ten million best trained officers and
men would not win the war for Ihe
United States if 'the submarine were
not overcome.
Submarine Mcnncc.
"I think it is n fair estimate to say
thul 730,000 tons of merchant ship
ping have been destroyed in the last
thirty days," he said. "At this rate
and without any question the num
ber of submarines is increasing bow
long will Great Brilain be able to
hold outf If by the use of these un
seen instrumentalities Great Hritain
could lie eliminated from this war,
demoralized Russia would fall in a
week, brave France would be crushed,
our foreign commerce would be de
stroyed and stagnation would bold
in its grip the populous cities of the
count rv."
Enlistments in the army since April
1, Senator ('aider declared, show Ihe
failure of the volunteer system, and
"sustain completely the argument that
the 1'nited States cannot raise an ud
equate force by volunteering.
PRICE OF BREAD
AT FRISCO RAISED
SAN FliAXCISCO, April 27 The
Master Baker's association here an
nounced toilay that beginning next
Monday bread prices would be ad
vanced in Son Francisco ami the bay
cities from five and 10 cents to six
and 12 cents per loaf. This action
was taken because of daily advances
in the price of flour.
ELEPHANTS DOING FARM IRK IN ENGLAND IRISH QUESTION
IN II A- ! ALL IMPORTANT
VENING ! STATES PREMIER
With nearly all horses taken to tiio
Ing put to work on the farms in l'.oglaod to replace (ho more domestic
animals. Picture shows an elephant stacking hnv on an Kugllsh farm.
E,
LONDON, April 27, German de
stroyers attacked itnnisgate Inst
nightthc war office announced today.
A large number of shells were fired,
but the destroyers were driven off by
land batteries.
The official statement follows:
"The damage and casualty occas
ioned by tho enemy during the bom
bardment of tho East Kentish const
last night are: Killed, one man, one
woman, injured, one man and two
women.
"Damage was done 21 dwelling
houses and two stables. One horse
was killed."
Although the bombardment was
the heaviest Rnmsgato has exper
ienced in various attacks during the
war, the damage was relatively small,
,says on Exchnnge Telegraph dis
patch. More than 100 shells fell in
the town, but only ten houses were
seriously damaged.
The night was dark but tho town
was illuminated by the shell fire.
NEW YORK, April 27.- Frnnz von
Hint .on adjudged (lermaii ".Master
Spy" and seven others accused of
having conspired lo institute strikes
in munition plants were brought be
fore the federal court (odny for trial.
The other defendants are David La
mar, known as the "Wolf of Wall
street," former Congressman II. Rob
ert Fowler, and Frank Buchanan of
Illinois, former Attorney fleneral
Frank S. Monnott, of Ohio, Henry B.
Martin, n. Washington lobliyi-t, and
llerinan Sdmlteis and Jacob C. Tay
lor. They are said to have operated
through the medium of Labor's Na
tional IVaoe Council.
LONDON, April 27. Many per
sons are reported In have been kill
ed by an eartliiiinlic in Tuscany and
Cmbria Thursday, according lo a
Rome dispatch to the F.xohiingc Tele
graph company.
The province of I'lnbriii is direct
ly norlb of the Province of Abruzzo
1'ltrn II, where 21,2H.'I persons were
killed by un cnilliqtiako January 1:1,
ltUj.
front in France, elephants mo lie-
ALLIED ATTACKS
PLAN OF ESCAPE
PARIS, April 27. Under the cap
tion "Why We Attacked," n write
ill the Matin points out that before
Ihe present forward movement began
tlie German plan was to escape the
grasp of the allies. He continues
"To frustrate this plan, the French
and British widened the front of their
attack so as to overlap the front on
which the Germans were retreating
The result was that the enemy found
both his wings involved. Ho decid
to fight on the first lino and 'Ihe
French plan was altered to suit.
"The result of the first and second
day's fighling was that the Gor
mans lost fully 100,000 men and what
was more important, were obliged to
engage XI out of their 43 reserve
divisions. The dearly bought but va
uublc results of the Aisne nnd Cham
pagne operations are thus:
"First, Ihe enemv was prevented
from carrying out his own plan, thus
disposing of tlie famous Hindenbiirg
scheme which was to be followed on
the conclusion of the retreat from
Noyon; second, tlie enemy was oblig
ed to order bis troops to hold out on
(he first line, but the whole line ha
been capltired, n tactical success."
LONDON, April 27. The ministry
of munitions announced today that
tho British expenditure of shells of
tho calibre of six Inches and upwards
during the first week of tlie offen
sive that opened on April 9 was near
ly twice that, of the first week of the
Koniino offensive last year, while tho
expenditure of such shells during the
second week was six and one-half
times that of the second week on the
So m me.
The expenditure of gun ammuni
tion during the second week of the
Arras battle was the greatest in tho
history of the world, It Is stated.
WASHINGTON, April 27. The
administration bill lo empower the
president to control exports In war
time as the national welfare tuny
compel was today favorably reported
by the house comincrco committee.
PRESIDENTIAL CONTROL
WAR TIME EXPORTS
Lloyd George Appeals to Patriotism
to Convert Ireland Into a Loyal
Comrade Army at Last Has Real
Chance to Fiflht Submarine Men
ace Is Discussed.
LONDON, April 27. In nn impor
tant speech at tbe Guild Hall today
Premier Lloyd George discussed the
military situulionHho Trish questions,
and oilier of tlie major problems with
which tho government is now engaged.
Tlie premier's speech was in no
knovvledgement of tile tiestowal oi
him of the freedom of the city of
London. Referring to Ireland, the
premier said :
We must convert Ireland trom a
suspicious, surly dangerous neighbor
to a cheerful, loyal comrade. Set
tletnont of the Irish question is cs
sential for the peace of tho world
and essential to a speedy victory in
tho war. I appeal to tlie patriotism
of all men to sink every tiling for
the one purpose of getting this ques
tion out of the way.
After alluding lo the organization
of the ministry of munitions, . tlie
premier said :
Ileal Chance to Fight.
"Now, thank God, our men have a
real ehanco to fight. The story now
is very different from what it was
in the early stages of tho war. Be
fore June, 1015, we lost 84 guns and
a eonsidernble number of prisoners.
Since Unit dale wo have not lost a
single gun, wbilo we have captured
four hundred. Regarding prisoners,
wo have taken at least ten to one.
The tide has now turned. Victory is
coming increasingly nearer.
"During ihe first eighteen davs of
the Somine bnllle we captured 11,000
prisoners nnd 84 guns. During the
first eighteen days of the Arras but
tle our captures were 18,000 men
and 2.'I0 guns wbilo we gained four
tunes ns much ground. Tins means
not only ultimate victory. It means
victory is going to be won at less loss
than our enemies, notwithstanding
our equipment is improving and the
Germans know it. That is Hie ex
planation of (lie despair which has
driven them to black piracy on the
high seas.
Submarine I'rohlcm.
"That is the next job wo have to
deal with. Our minimum problem is
to feed 11 population of 45,000,000
in n country which is not self sup
porting, to provide tlie necessary ma
terial and food to equip our armies
and keep the seas free for the trans
portation of troops of ourselves and
our allies. That has had to be done
against the swarm of pirates moving
unseen under the trackless seas, since
the Germans are determined lo sink
all craft indiscriminately wilhout
warning. There is no doubt we have
lost many ships hut they brought
America in anil I am perfccily satis
fied wilh the balance. America, nl'lcr
great patience, came to the eouolus
iau there was no use waving a neu
tral flag in the teeth of a shark and
she is definitely with us to put down
this menace once for all."
1'rcdicls Solution.
"The best brains of America and
Brilain are concentrated on this prob
lem. There never was a human prob
lem which was not soluble and I be
lievo this is no exception to the rule,
but we must proceed with the as
sumption that nothing could be dis
covered to put it down."
Dealing with tbe effort lo make the
country self-supporting, the premier
said guaranlccs to the farmer and
(Continued on page fix.)
SPAIN PREPARED TO
I'AHIS, April 27. Tin- Munpm
I'reitu, Spain's new premier, in tin in
terview will- the MmirM correspond
ent of the. I Vt it Journal, deehires Unit
Spain cannot adopt, neutrality when
it h honor ami its interest are involv
ed. Incidentally the premier intimat
ed that hi administration was pre
pared to support the vioroim note
sent to fin-many l,V Count Koman
ones, his predecessor, in res pert to
Hi tj submarine issue,
STRIKE THREAT
FOR MAY DAY
Widespread Apprehension of a Possi
ble May Day Strike Government
Sending to the Front Munition
Workers Who Are Radical Fer
ment Caused by Food Conditions.
AMSTERDAM, April 27. Berlin
uewspnpcrs publish an appeal made
by General Oroeuer, director of muni
tions and supplies which has been
placarded In all public places, Ha
says:
"Our army needs arms and muni
tions. Did you not read lltndenburg's
lotter? How daro you dofy him?
"lie will bo a mean bound who
does not work ns long as the army
stands opposite tho enemy. The worst
cnomies are among us. They are
small-minded people and those who
Instigate a strike must be branded
before the nation as traitors to the
latherland and to the army. These
who listen to their words are cow
ards. "Who dnTes to stop when Hinden
biirg commands him to work? We
are not far from the goal. The na
tion's existence is at stake."
Slay Day Strike.
COPENHAGEN, April 27 German
newspapers today indicato wide
spread apprehension of a possible
May Day strike.
A proclamation from Chancellor
Von Relbmann-llolweg nddressed
formally to labor contains both ap
peal and 11 stern warning against
further interference, witli the muni
tion work.
A manifesto from tho four big
miners' unions warns their members
against reckless und regrettable ac
tion because of unsatisfactory food -conditions.
"Don't permit yourselves
in these grave limes to bo dragged
into rioting and strikes," is the koy
sentence of the manifesto, showing
that not merely nn orderly demon
strative walkout but actual violence
is feared in the great mining and
ninniil'nclui'ing districts of Westfulen
and Kilesin.
Agitators Sent to the Front.
Finally thefe is nnother official
nunniitiecmcut that a great combin
ing in tbe war industries is neces
sary to relievo tlie men for the army.
This gives tbe government nny need
ed justification for sending to tho
front munition workers who yield to
temptation. All ill all, n strong fer
ment is evident among tho laboring
classes, caused by food conditions,
including the reduction of rations and
tho extremo cost of living nnd wear
iness of war. This view is confirm
ed by an American business mnn who
has just succeeded in leaving Ger
many and who tho ignorant of the
indications given by the German news
papers of yesterday and today, told
the Associated Press correspondent
that Berlin was still seething with
strike feeling and Hint tho impres
sion was widespread that there will
be nnother strike outbreak on May
Day.
Persons here familiar with condi
tions in Germany, however, express
Ihe belief Hint the German authori
ties will be uble to cope with tho sit
uation, TARIFFS AFTER WAR
LONDON", April 27. Preferential
trade In riffs alter Ihe war between
the different parts of Ihe British em
pire have been endorsed by tho im
perial war conference, according to
a statement made in Ihe house of
commons today by Chancellor of the
F.xi dieqiier A. Hollar Law.
Mr. Law said that the conference
had accepted the principle that each
part, of I lie empire, "having duo re
gard to the interests of our allies,
shall give specially Invornblo terms
mid fiicililics to Ihe produce and
muiiiifiicliircrs of other parts of the
empire."
Speaking at Ihe Guild Hull, Premier
Lloyd George said the government
believed imperial preference could bo
established wilhout involving nny ad
ditional cost of food. Such a policy
he added, would assist in develop,
incut of all Ihe resources of tho empire.
SCARES KAISER