Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989, May 07, 1917, Image 1

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Medford mail tribune., May 07, 1917, Page 1, Image 1

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Newspaper Page TextYEA TITER Maximum Yesterday Go; Minimum Today 40; Precipitation .03. FORECAST Fair. Cooler Tonight With Light Frost, University it Orerj n Forty-seventh Tear. Dally Twelfth Year. MEDFORD OREGON7. MONDAY, MAY 7. 1917. NO.' 39 .Medford Mail ALL E NWEST FRENCH GAIN NEW POINTS -IN BIG DRIVE Total of 29,000 Prisoners Captured In Offensive Violent Counter At tacks Along Entire Line by Ger mans Repulsed With Tremendous Slaughter Teutons Mowed Down In Masses Entire St. Quentin Line in Danger of Being Outflanked PARIS, May 7 The Germans have counter attacked along the entire French front and everywhere have been repulsed, according to today's war office statement. The fighting was purl iculiiily se vere in the region of C'liemin-Dos-Dnmcs and east of Soissons. The statement says that since April l(i thi French have taken 29,0(10 pris oners. The number taken'm the last phase of the offensive lias reached more than C200. The statement follows: 211,000 Prisoners Taken. "Yesterday evening and last night were marked by violent new reactions on the part of the Germans in the re gion northeast of Soissons and along the Chemin-Des-Dnmes where we identified four fresh divisions. Vio lent counter attacks, preceded by in tense bombardments, were, launched against our "positions at Froidmont Farm on the Cerny-llurtcbise from and en the Craonne and Vauclcrc heights. The fighting, which assum ed a most violent character, termi nated to the advantage of our troops, which maintained their positions ev erywhere. The Germans were mowed down in masses by our heavy and field artillery and machine guns, suf fering large losses in these engage ments. The number of our prisoners is now more than ti'JOO. This brings up the total number of prisoners tuk ejj by French troops in the fighting stifco April 10 to nbout 2!,(HHh "On the remainder of the front there were intermittent artillery en gagements. We broke up several sur prise attacks by the enemy, partic ularly in the Argonnc, near Botanic and Grurie Wood. We made several successful incisions into the German lines near Snnvaux hill and east of Monccl." Attacks Itcaten Itnck. The Germans concent ra led their efforts yesterday morning in attacks wes.t of the French front in the re gion of I.nffaux and in the eastern section of Hruye to Craonne. But the French held the whip hand and beat off wave upon wave of (lie enemy's dwindling reserve, with terrible losses. More than that, the Frenchmen, nfter hours of stiff fighting, still had the energy to flash lorwnrd and main tained fresh positions in regions nat urally fortified. The desperate resistance nf the fieri a'Ka 4acks in force are comprehensible when it is realized that if the French capture AHcmnnt and Pinon they will outflank the whole line running north to St. Quentin. General Vivcllc. however, has no sinecure as he is eon fronted by the famous Siegfried line, a system of fortifications on which the Germans have lavished weeks of work and which is of the. most for midable type. (Jennnns Annihilated. On the right' wing German hnttnl- (Continued on Pag Six.) SOLD 10 THE ALLIES WINXII'KG, Mar... May 7. An un derstanding under which at least !u percent of all Canadian wheat will be sold to the allied governments or to Dominion mills wa announced in a cablegram from the Winning grain exchange council to the royal grain commission in London, made public today. ST0PS BULLET IN ARMOR HE INVENTS ' In Ir. Guy Otis lircwster of lover, X. f., is hero shown in the quaint nrm ored headgear ami jacket lio invent ed for lioldlel-s. In a recent test, Dr. llivwstei' witlLvlood without injur' bullets fired at liim from a distance of (10 feet and hitting the armor lit a speed of 2710 feet a second and a force of 2 loo pounds. The armor weighs less than 2 OiMmnds. I BE SEIZED WASHINGTON, May 7. It was rc vealed in the house today than an tin published provision In the agreement with Denmark by which the Danish West Indies were acquired by the Waited States was that German or other warbound ships In the Island would art he seized or confiscated. The disclosure was made by Chair man-Alexander of the commerce com mittc presenting the administration bill to confer congressional sanction upon the president for seizure and operation of enemy war bound ships in American ports. Wnen Itcpublicnn Leader Mann asked for more Infor mation, Chairman Webb of the iudl clary committee warned the house, that it was not a subject to he dis cussed publicly. Mr. Alexander then explained the purposes of the bill which he said were to give the president full power to take title t otbc ships except In the Virgin Islands ami to provide for their operation or b ase by the government. TWO NORWEGIAN SHIPS SUNK BY SUBMARINES LONDON May 7. - According to' a Central News di-puMi from Copen hagen, the Nonw.'inn fmcii-n olioo ha- announced I he -inking by German submarine- nf the steamers Capto and Nntiina. The crews were res cued. AMBASSADOR Et.KUS REPORTED IMPROVED WASHINGTON. Mav 7 Ambas--udnr I'.lkii-, -i,k in fon-tnntinoplc with typlui-, is much better, but may not be able to l,Mve for home for three week.-. I $- i RAILROADS OPEN TWO BOARDS TO FIGHT TO SECURE E Hearings Begun Before I. C. C. on Application for Blanket Increase in Rates to Yield $300,000,000 More Revenue for Coming Year Railroads State Case. WASHINGTON, May 7. Eastern railroads at the opening today of the hearings before the interstate com merce commission on the application on all roads for a general 15 per cent Increase in freight rates, stated that the advance sought would fall $73, 000,000 short of the $21 7,000,000 in crease of 1917 operating expenses over 191C. Cost of coal, wages and matorinls have gone up so rapidly in the last year or two, declared the eastern roads, who will be followed by south eastern and western lines and by shippers, that income from present rates cannot keep pace. Higher rates are necessary to maintain their credit and to make efficient service posstlilo, they said. Gain of $:loo,ooo,ooo. Tho proposed 15 per cent advance would yield all railroads a sum esti mated at between $300,000,000 and $100,000,000 based on last year's record earnings. Of this amount, roads east of Chicago and north of the Ohio and Potomac rivers, operating sixty thousand miles of line and car rying about half of the country's traf fic, stated today their share would be $142,000,000. Hearings will continue through the week and then bo resumed May 23. Many shippers appear to agree to a rate increase but they disagree on tho amount. The proposed Increase would go into effect July 1. Samuel Ilea, president of the Penn sylvania, read a statement to the commission in part as follows: Monaco to Country. "The conditions surrounding tho railroads at tho present time involve a direct and immediate menace to the country at largo and also to the ship pers, passengers and owners of the properties because of inadequate fa cilities and Insufficient credit. If we are adequately to handle the exist ing traffic and bo prepared to meet the necessities of tho Internal situa tion It Is absolutely necessary that tho railroads be granted higher rates. ' Alfred II. Smith, president of the New York Central lines, in a state ment read to tiie commlslson, de clared that the railroads were not seeking to shift the burdens on others but that they asked "merely to share In the prosperity of the coun try" and to maintain their position in relation to those whom they serve. Ho pointed out the difficulty the railroads have had in raising capi tal to increase their property which would have had an Influence on the present high prices. Howard Elliott, speaker for the New Haven, said a fifteen per cent advance would not pay the Inrreased coal hill of that road. Ho also In dicated that heavy outlays would be neeesary to handle properly the na tlon's wartime business. FIRST AMERICAN 5 PERCENT RAIS 1'nlted Hfutefl nvnl Meiitenant Tliomai iind a naval Kim rrew of nine men nre Mill refilled mlsfn an the result of the toileloinj( liy a (ierman V-Uiut of the Ann-rlriin htiimer Vitrti"iii ouned hy the Vanillin (HI i'.t. While thin i the find (inniji of men lot and the lieiitemint the flrt offl'r lft' I 'indiirel, iMiatHwahm mate fiNiai-d th Aztec U still minting. . , ...... E OF 0. S. IN WAR Allied War Commissions Sitting Con tinuously, One in England, One Here, to Coordinate Powerful Re sources of United States With Those of Allies Keep Sea Clear. WASHINGTON. May 7 Two al lied war commissions sitting contin uously tme in Kngland and the other here appeared today as one of the first actual steps to coordinate the powerful resources the United brings into the war with those of tho allies nernss the sea. The commission in London, with representatives of nil the allied na tions including the United Slates would receive and decide upon the apportionment of seaboard traffic. The commission would then charge it self with getting such supplies to the seaboard, either by direct purchase or through present agencies. While the inroads of the submarine menace continue it is absolutely es sential to conserve every ship for the most needed freight and tho only way that this can be done is to have the allies submit their needs to a central body in London which shall have the power to give priority to the most pressing. At the same time the commission in this country, knowing exactly how much was wanted would buy it judi cially and keep tile railroad lines open to the seaboard. With the great bulk of the detail ed work now distributed amongst va rious snb-conimittecs British For eign Minister Hall'our now is await ing reports. Today he was officially received nt the supreme court. Lnler Hie new Belgian minister to the United States naid a visit to Mr. Balfour. Samuel Gompers, president of the American Federation of Labor, called with British labor leaders who have .just arrived in this country up on his invitation. REBEL ACTIVITY WASHINGTON, May 7. Fresh reports of rebel activities in Cuba arc regarded by this government as renewed evidence of influences seek ing to force intervention, but they have, not altered the state depart ment's, confidence in the ability of President Menocal to restore order. Reports from American Minister Gonzales that the rebels arc being brought under control nre supported by consular reports from Guantann iiiii and Santiago, although it is ad milted that ill these provinces ban dit raids and much destruction of property continue. The railroads have not been re oH'iicil in all places, but substantial progress has been made and atate department officials appear confi dent that .May 20. the dale for the inauguration of the pre-idenl, will pass without serious revival of the revolt. DIRECT COURS FIGHTING MEN LOST ON STEAMER VACUUM 4'.- " '- WV' ---.';. ,..r-:-' . . . . &4.' - - . , i POWERFUL U. S. MOTOf! BATTFRY IS READY Powerful armored cm 4110 the buttory of tlio Now York national gnurtl ami mI iow tho kimt of land battleships Tiiclo Sam Is ready to usx.. Kllit men hnvo i-oom to many as many machtiio guns, thrco on each .side, and two ahov. I WASHINGTON, May 7. The gov ernment has decided to lend Great Britain $100,000,000 to meet her needs in this country during May. A second installment or $25,000,000 was transferred to tho llrltlsh em bassy today, making, with tho $25, 000,000 loaned her Saturday a total ot one-half of the May loan. The decision to advance Great flrl taln $100,000,000 during May agrees with estimates that this government would bo called upon to finance the allies up to at least $ 100,000,000 a month. Sums nlready pledged for the next mouth or so are at tho rate of $300, 000,000 a month and cover only tho needs of Great Britain, Franco, and Italy. Additional loans to Itusslu, Belgium and possibly to Serbia will swell tho total, It Is believed, to at least $100,000,000 and bring tho to tal advanced to the allies prior to .Inly 1 when the first proceeds of tho liberty loan will bo available, up to approximately $1,000,000,000. Subscriptions to tho liberty loan continue in large volume. LONDON, May 7. Powerful rcp resontnlinns are about to be made to Premier Lloyd George anil the wur cabinet I iv representative- ni labor as to their view of the imperative ur gency of a settlement of the Irish ipiestiou, the Pall Mall Gazelle understands. v N ... V11'' GIVEN BY ST. LOUIS ST. LOUIS, May 7. The demon si rat ivo welcome accorded Former Premier Viviani, Marshal Jol'frc and other members of tho French war mission at tho SI. Louis coliseum last night was outdone today when the visitors look part in a parade across tho city. Many rem hercd Unit this was the second anniversary of the sinking of the Lusitania and regarded the ova lion iiecorded the French visitors n filling memorial to the victims of that first great submarine outrage. The parade was preceded by a breakfast attended by 700 persons, (luring which medals of honor were presented to M. Viviani and Marshal Jofl're on behalf of the French so ciety of St. Iniis. M. Viviani was much afl'ccled anil kissed the spokes man of the society on the cheek. Two toasts were drunk in water one to the president of the United Slates find one to Iho president of Franco. Alayor Kiel of St. Louis, who was to have delivered u welcoming ad dress at (he breakfast, was unable to be present 'on nceount nf illness, but he appeared later, rode in Ihe first uuloiuohilc with M. Viviani and Marshal .lofl're during the parade. E SUIT LI WASHINGTON, May 7.- New York blinks today lost their litigation in the supreme court against the North German Lloyd liner Kriui Prinessin Cccilic at Ihislon trnni which they claimed .f.', 10,111111 damages for fail are of the vessel to deliver gold bill lion worlh -t I l.illin.illKl shipped t i England and Prance just at the out break of the war. The Cccilic, Ihe supreme court de cided, is not liable ill il, images lo Ihe shippers for turning hack In America in miil-occnu ami nbamlioiing It vovairc. The decision ilclcrmines lnr; similar claims against a score of olhcr German ve-sels in American ports. Justice ll'ilmes t livcred ih decision. Justices prilncv ami Clark di-si.ntoil. UNCLE JOE CANNON IS 81 YEARS OLD TODAY WASHINGTON. May 7. - Itopre "cntativc .loc II. Cannon of Illinois, former speaker of the house, is HI today, lie received many congratu lations from members of congress, govcrnnieut officials uud others. BULLECOURT CAPTURED BY BRITISH Hlndenburg Line Positions Taken by British Who Start New Attack at Daybreak Prisoners Taken In In fantry Charge Guns Continue to Pound German Positions Teuton Losses Mount to Appalling Totals Best Troops Suffer. ! LONDON, May 7. After hard fighting the British have pushed for ward west of Hulleeourt and have taken n number of prisoners, accord ing to an official statement issued by the war office today. The announcement follows: ' "Thero was sharp fighting early today on the Ilindenhurg line. East nf Hulleeourt our position has been improved. Wo progressed westward in tho direction of tho village and look a number of prisoners. A hos tile bombing attack during tho night on our front line south of Oppy, de livered after heavy nrtillory prepara tion, was successfully driven off.' llnllecourt Won. HHITIKII HEADQUARTERS 'IN FRANCE, Maiy 7. Tho British havo pushed their way well within the town of Hulleeourt. Hand to hand fight ing has developed thero. 1 r , v Renewed fighting broke out about iiullccourt today. The British, who had been holding positions south and cast of the village whero they lind been violently al tacked during the last four days, moved forward just before dawn in a general attack upon the village itself. There has been patrol fighting in Iiullccourt before this, but todny's at tack was of an enveloping nature. It met with stubborn resistance, but steady progress was being made as Ibis dispatch was written and khaki elad troops have passed well within the town which lies absolutely astride tho Ilimlenbiirg line, tho front trench and two systems of support trenches all being within the village limits. Prisoners Sent Hack. Prisoners began coming back soon after the battle started. English battalions niado nn attack today from thu south and west of liiillecourt. The ntlai'k was preceded by the usual violent bombardment. The moon had shone with wonderful brilliance all through tho night and was just setting as the infantry climbed out of their shallow tronchos and trudged forward, laden down with hand grenades. In its earlier stages the battle was a bombing contest hciwecu the attacking forces ami the defenders, although it was later reported that hand to hand fighling had developed. (Continued on phge six.) D t LONDON, May 7. A hnstilo air plane dropped four bombs northeast of London this morning, it is offi cially announced. The statement announcing the oir pliinc raid reads; "In Ihe early hours this morning a hostile airplane appeared over tho outskirts of northeast London and dropped four bombs. One man was killed and a man and a woman in jured. Slight damage was dune to bllildinus.'' No one In tho area where the Ger man airplane droped bombs aw any thing of the li os 1 1 lo machine. Tho people were awakened by the exploi lons hut by the 1 1 mo they reached the street the machine had disappear ed. The bomb which rained the cas ualties fell on the root ot aomo resi dential buildings, and the other mis siles lauded lu a nearby wamp. . '