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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (May 17, 1917)
Utiiverslty tf rjrcnon Library WEATHER Maximum Yesterday G2; Minimum Today Jl; Preilpif atlon .25. FORECAST Touiglit and Tomorrow Unsettled; Probably Showers rLg$ medford Mail Tribune PR Forty-seventh Tear. Dally Twelfth Year. MEDFORD OREGON", THURSDAY, MAY 17. 1917. NO. 48 ALLIES WIN INDR1VES0N TWO FRONTS Italians Continue to Push Strong Offensive on the Ironzo, Taking 4000 Prisoners British Steadily Push Back German Lines; Hinden burg Vainly Attempts to Stem Tide Germans Make Six Assaults on French Only to Meet Repulse. ROME, via London, May 17. Aus trinn troops have strongly counter attacked the Italian positions they had gained in carrying out their of fensive movement. The enemy re action, however, lias failed, the war office announces. 1 lie .prisoners taken by the Italians since Monday now number 41)21. Five additional small caliber guns have been cap tured. The Ituliitns have made further progress in their drive, pushing ahead on Mount Vodicc and alsi south of Ora.igua, northeast of (lo 1'iziS.f LONDON, Miy. 17. The Rrilisl have made further progress in the vil lage of Bullecourt and have reached the western edgo of the hamlet, ac cording to an official statement is sued by the British war office this morning. PARIS, May 17. Six assaults by the 'Germans on the French lines have been repulsed with heavy losses according to an official statement is sued by the war offico today. Three attacks were made north of Moulin Do Luff mix and tliree northeast of Brayc-En-Lnonnois. Fall to Stop Knglisli. The Germans have piled high their dead before the British lines but have failed to stop tho British advance The most serious and sustained coun ter attacks have withered before the blast of the British artillery and the sapping of the Ilindcnburg line goes on, slowly but without halt. 4Hie tremendous efforts made by Field Marshal Von llindenburg to stem the tide of victory which was steadily setting against him have given the battle of Arras an appear ance of ebb and flow but tho net re suit is that the most violent efforts of the Gcrmnns to regain tho initia tive have failed. Ominous for Austria. Possibly more ominous for Berlin in view of the wabbly condition of her Austrian ally, is the news of the blow struck by Italy in the direction of Triest.' The Ison.o, a turbulent mountain stream bordered by moun tains and cliffs, is in their hand for n distance of ir to 20 miles north of Gorizia. General C'adornn appear; to plan a great flanking .movement nguinst the Coma plateau, nature great rampart defending Triest. The nllied offensive in Macedonia continues with considerable success for tho British forces but the fight ing is on such an extended front and ' so'-poradie in character that it meaning is obscured. Reports from Bulgaria of nation wide discontent and weariness of the war may he sig nificant in connection with General Sarrail's campaign. The Russian factions have patch ed up a truce but tho outcome is still dubious. In any event it seems cer tain that little can be expected from (Continued on Page Four.) f OPENHAGKN, May 17 Accorr ing lo the Yo.-is he Zeitung of lie lin, the Polish council of state is ex pending five sixths of the gilt 200,000 crowns from n committee American Poles for nirplane service for the new Polish army which is be in? recruited for the centrnl powers It is said the disposition of the money represents the express wisl of the contributors and that the re maining sixth will be expended to re lieve the suffering of the Polish pop ulation of Poland and Gulicia, 121 IIS LOST IN SHIPWRECK U-BOAT MENACE ALASKA ITERS YET DISCOVERED Ship Standard Owned by Libby- McNeil and Libby, Total Wreck in Behring Sea Only 29 Rescued of 150 Aboard Was Enroute to Alaska Canneries. SAN FRANCISCO, May 17. The three-masted ship Standard, owned py Llbby, McNeil & Libby, Is a total wreck oft Cape Constantino in Bering sea, according to a message received here today by the naval radio station. Ot nearly 150 men aboard the vessel, only 29 have been rescued, according to tho report. Tho vessel, which carried a largo crew and many men for the Alaska canneries, stranded at 11 o'clock at night on May 14 and was abandoned by the crew a day later when the heavy seas had begun to pound her to pieces. Five lifeboats, each crowded to ca pacity were lauucned. One was picked up a few hours later containing 2 9 men. So far, according to the mes sage received today, none of the re maining boats have been sighted. The Standard, a ship of 1401 net tons, left San Francisco April 7 tor Bristol Bay, Alaska. The message recotved her was sent out by the naval radio station at St. Paul, Pribieloff Island, in Bering Bea. SEATTLE, Wash., May 17. The Standard left San Francisco 38 days ago with supplies and workmen for Llbby, MaXetl & Libby salmon can neries on Bristol Bay. Cape Constan tino is the western point of entrance to the estuary at the mouth of Nush agak river, Bristol Bay. UP TO WILSON E WASHINGTON, May 17. Late to day the senate adopted the confer ence report on tho war army bill, ac cepted by the house yesterday and sent the measuro to' the president for his signature. The vote was 65 to 8. Those vot ing against adoption were Senators Gore, Gronna, Hardwick, Kirhy, La- Follette, TOorris, Stone and Trammel! Senator Fall was excused from vot ing. WASHINGTON', Mkiv 17. The senate was in piite n temper when it reconvened today to continue debate on the war budget and found that a full and accurate report of its seen: session yesterday hud been publish ed in the newspapers. senator I homas, calling the sen nlc's attention to the publication the executive proceeding said: of 'They were quite accurate, more so thnn publications of open session proceedings. "The sooner we abandon this farce of secret sessions, the better," he lidded. Senator Myers of Montana said tho senate's action in their revolt against newspnper censorship was declaration of congressional intent .for complete freedom of the press, I think the action of congress means that newspapers can publish any thing they please," he said, clos ing the incident without further nc tion. PUT UPON BALLO PORTLAND, Ore, May 17 Cir cuit Judge G. II. Bingham ruled here today that the so-called Bean bill, In tended to require assessors to list lands In the Oregon and California grants on their assessment rolls, must remain on the referendum ballot to he submitted to Oregon voters June Action was brought by District Attor ney Max Gchlhar, of Salem, to force the measure from the ballot. Gchl har said today he would appeal Immediately. NO ANSWER FOR Wooden Ship Building Program Aban doned by Goethals Feverish Search for Submarine Specific New Inventions for Sealing Bases Sought Freight U-Boats Probable. BY GILSON GARDNER. WASHINGTON. May 17 Addition of Gen. Goethals to the shipping hoard has resulted in an entire change in tho wooden ship program. For some reason the wooden ship idea has been practically given up, and Gen. Goethals is planning for steel ships. Contractors have received notice that contractu are cancelled, and in stead of tremendous tonnage of wood en ships to be ready in six months, the talk is now of steel ships to be endy in 18 months. What is the answer to the German ubmnrine? No "Specific" Found. It may he said with authority the "specific" for the submarine has not been found. It is being sought eager almost feverishly for on the outcome may depend the outcome of the war. England is being throttled by Ger man submarines. The naval advisory bonrd has been working on the problem, but without definite .results. Much labor has been spent considering proposed so lotions. Some look promising. This is the situation : A submarine cannot fight a sub marine. Under water a suomariuc is blind. Surface shipping Is practically nt the mercy of tho submarine. With increased size and radius of new submarines no pons are sale from surprise. A nation which can build 100 can build 1000. Germany has ceased building battleships and is concern trating on larger submarines. The most formidable craft known to naval warfare is no mutch for the ubmarino. The battle fleets of both England and Germany have been driven to cover by enemy submarines. Probable- Answer. The answer probably is to be found along one of three lines: 1. New invention for scaling or breaking up bases from which sub marines operate. 2. Submersiblo cargo ships ol large tonnage. 3. Some marvel of electrical in vention which will detect a submit rme nt n distnnco or detonate an explosive nt a distance and without contact. One plan for temporary enrgo car ricrs is to build large wooden sub mcrsible craft not unlike whalchacks, but moro on tho lines of an under sca-Zeppclin, constructed on' stand ard barrel lines to be towed by gasoline-propelled, elect ricolly gen erutinf barge which would communi eato an electric power current to ubsidiary plant on the submersible In case of attack the tow-barge would disconnect nnd lenvo the "bar rel-sub" to shift for itself. Such craft would cost little and be hard for subs to get. ! OFF CHESAPEAKE NEW YORK, May 17. The skip per ot a Danish Btcamship which ar rived here today with sugar from Cuba had a mystery story to tell, in volvlng the possible presence of submarine of Cape Hattoras. Ills ship was 33 miles north by east from Diamond Shoals lightship May 15. the Danish captain said when wreckage was encountered. An officer sighted what appeared to lie a spar sticking about 18 inches out of the water. An the Danish ves sel neared It, this object slowly aub merged. Soma distance to starboard a British steamship was proceeding northward. The Danish skipper suspected he might be In the presence of a mine laying submarine, which having do atroyed one vessel, was lying In wait for the Briton to starboard and he at. once ordered full steam ahead and rio.i MISSION TO RUSSIA Mil mm mm u m i President Wilson has appointed tbeso seven men to go to Russia and help put the new government on a firm commercial basis. They are top, Elihu Root, chairman: top to bottom, left: Charles R. Crane, for mer minister lo China; Cyrus II. Mc Cormick, wealthy niaimfucliircr; Dr. John R. Mott, Y. M. C. A. lender; right, Charles Edward Russell, spe cial writer for the Newspaper Enter prise association of which the Mail Tribune is a member; James Duncan, vice president of the American Fed eration of Labor; S. R. Bertron, New York hunker. Articles by Russell, appointed because he is one of the leading economists .of t lie country, have been appearing in tho Mail Tri bune for some time. NEW YORK, May 17. Tho Amer ican steamship lltlonlan has been tor pedoed and Bunk off Gonon, Italy, with a loss of four members of the crow, according to a cablegram lo the owners, the Universal Transporta tion company. The Hllonian was not armed. S)io left here April 27 with a cargo for Genoa, and was commanded by Cap tain H. P. Williams, and carried a crew of 39 men, or wnom 18 wero American citizens. SAN FRANCISCO, May 1 7. The lltlonlan formerly was owned hero by the Matson Navigation company and for years operated between San Fran cisco and Honolulu and other Hawaii an ports. Tho vessol was purchased from tho Matson company by the Pa ciflc Freighters company last Jan uary and left hero March, 1917 for Iqulque, Chile, thonco lo an eastern port with a cargo of nitrates. While there she was bought by the Univer sal Transportation company for price said to have been (550,000, Tho 1 1 1 1( li I an was built In England In 1880. and Is a vessel ot 1819 net tons. 341) feet long nnd about 37 feet In breadth. SINGLE TERM AMENDMENT TO CONSTITUTION PROPOSED WASHINGTON, Muv 17. Another "single term" amendment to Ihe con stitution was prnwrd today in the senate by Senator Gore, who would moke it apply to both the president and vice president 1 m EXCLUDE ULSTER INCOME TAXES COALITION IN IRISH HOME ON BIG INCOMES Z QTPYPnP RULE PROPOSAL RAISED FOURTH ' 1 British Frime Minister Sends Letter to John Redmond, Leader of Na tionalists, Proposing to Establish Home Rule In Ireland, Eliminating Six Countries of Northeast Ulster. Y LONDON, May 17 John Redmond, leader of the Irish nationalists, in the house of commons, today rejected the proposal of Premier Llyod George for a settlement of thehome rule quos tion, hut accepted for tho immediate caning ol u convention to decide en a government for Ireland. Mr. Redmond snid Premier Lloyd George's proposal for an Irish gov ernment would in the opinion of the members of the Irish party, find no support in Ireland. They therefore were iii'ceoncilnbly opposed to il and 'any measure bused on that proposal would meet with their vigorous op position. But Mr. Redmond cont. inued, the "second alternative, name ly, the nsscmbling of a convention of Irishmen, bus much to recommend it. I trust it may be found possible of realization. My colleagues and I will pjuco no obstacle in the way and arc prepared to recommend tho proposal most strongly to our countrymen." LONDON, May 17. The British prime minister has sent a letter to John Redmond, leader of tho Irish nationalist party, outlining tho gov ernment's project for the settlement of the home rule question. Ho asked Mr. Redmond to slate his views on the government's suggestions in or der that the government may bo able to consider the matter before Mon day. ' As soon ns tho premier's proposals were available the Irish unionists met to discuss the document. The na tionalists held n meeting this morning for tho same purpose. The government, the letter set forth, bus been desirous of effecting an immediate settlement which will con- cde the largest possible measure of home rule that can bo secured by agreement nt this moment, without prejudice to the undertaking by par liament of a further and final set tlement of the most disputed ques tions after the war. Homo Itulo Act. The jrovcrnment's proposals pro vide '0f the introduction of a bill for (he immediate application of n home rule net to Ireland, but exclud ing tho six counties of northeast Ulster, such exclusion to ho subject to reconsideration by pai'liiimciil nt the end of five years; n council of Ireland, lo be eomjiosed of two dele gations, representing the excluded area as well as the new Irish parlia ment; consideration of the bill after its second rending by a special con ference under the clMiinniiusbip of sonic one coiiimiiiiiliug general confi dence. As an nllernnlive, it is suggested by the premier that a convention of Irishmen of all parties he assembled for Ihe purpose of arranging a scheme of Irish sclf-govcriiiiienl. F LONDON, May 17. The British and French have forced the Germans lo use virtually all the fresh resol ves which they had at the beginning of the battle of Arras, Mujor-Goncral F 1). Maurice, chief director of military operations at tho war office, told tho Associated I'ress today. When the British offensive began, the Hermans had forty-nine reserve divisions on tho western front. The British on slaught at Arras and the moro re cent French offensive have compelled ihe Germans to employ all but four of theRo divisions. The German divisions hnvo been reorganized since tho beginning of tho war, General Maurice continued, but at present contain at least 2 0,000 men each. NEW YORK, .May 1 ".The British steamship Harpagus has been torpe dncd, according to a cablegram re ceived today. The llarpngus, of 5,800 Ions gross, left New York on April ill for Marseilles, France, House Raises by Quarter All In comes Between $40,000 and $l, 000,00045 Percent of Incomes Over Million Are Taken for War. Half Billion More Needed. WASHINGTON, May 17. The house begun voting substantial in- crooses in the income tox on I urge fortunes today with the prospect that oil Ihe great incomes would he taxed more than first proposed, to niiike them bear a larger shave of the cost of the war. Unexpectedly the insurgent, move ment which won n vote on the first increase yesterday got support from the uduunist ration itself. The treasury deportment notified Chairman Kilchiu of the wavs and means coinniittce that the $1,800, 000,000 to be raised by the war tox in!! was a hull' billion short of what the government would need. Mr. Aitclim, who louglit, tno m- como tox increoscs yesterdoy, promptly switched to their support Reproscnlolive Lenroot of Wis consin, liumeduilcly introduced an amendment to increase the proposed surtaxes on incomes between $00, 000 and $ 80,000 from 11 to 13 per cent. This was adopted ill the com- mittco of tho whole by an overwhelm ing voto. Tux Incomes liaised. In closing for his amendment to raiso the surtaxes on incomes be tween $10,000 and $00,000, Rcpre scntativo Lenroot deelored an at tempt was being miida to force the poor to pay their share of the war tox now while taxes on tho wealthy were held in reservolion. "What nn argument," lie said "that they want to return to income foxes later! They now tax light am heat nnd other things that every poor mon must pay, but they let the men who have made money out of this wor escape taxes now. Is it not foir to incrcoso the income tuxes and strike out tho taxes on light and heat?" Voting in the committee of the whole late today tho house raised by one fourih all income luxes c incomes between $10,0(10 and $1 000,000. If the action of Ihe house prevails Ihe government will tokc A percent of incomes of $1,000,000 and over. Surtaxes llcvlsed. As revised the surlox would be Between $-10,000 ond $00,000, 10 percent. $00,000 to $80,000, 13.75 percent $80,000 lo $100,000, 17.50 percent $100,000 to $150,000, 2.1 .25 percent $150,000 to .$211(1,(10(1 25 percent $'200,000 to $250,000, HO percent $250,000 lo $300,000 3.1.75 percent $300,000 to $500,000, 37.5 percent $500,000 to $1,000,000, -11.25 per cent. $1,000,000 and over, -15 percent Refuse ), Tux Selves. All amendment hy Reprcsentativ Paige of Massachusetts, that 05 pc cent of the salary of each member o congress be turned over to the gov eminent during (he war wilh (termony was rejected 117 lo '12, oinid howl of derision. "I understand the genlleinan from Massachusetts is a millionaire, shouted Representative lleflin of Al nbainn, while another member yelled "Millionaire club' at llioso voting with Mr. Paige, JULY 1ST NAMED CHICAGO, May 17. One hundred and fifty thousand high schools In America with a membership of about 18,000,000 havo been requested to observo July 1 as "l'atrlotlc Sunday It was announced at the heailquurters of tho lutnniatlonul School Associa tion here today. Each school has been requested to make on offering on that day toward tho American Red Cross, or other war relief agency, or tho army Y. M. C to encourage young men to enlist for active service In the war and young women for duty as Red Cross nurses and to enroll as ninny members of tho Red Cross aa possible. IIIUOUUVI CO Russian Cabinet Crisis Settled Dec laration of Government's Policy Accepted by Representatives of the Council of Workmen and Sol dier's Delegates Generals Arrive for Conferences Resignation of Alexicff Reported. PETHOflRAD, May 17. Generals Alexicff, Dromiroff, flurko and Brus- iloff arrived in Petrogrnd today for conference on the military situation, They declared the formation of a co alition ministry was indispensable as it would make possible strong meas ures to re-establish discipline nnd the fighting spirit in Ihe army. The generals expressed tho opin ion Unit tho appointment of M, Ker ensky us minister of war would be received hy tho army with great en thusiasm us he is very popular among the soldiers. There are rumors that General Al exicff has resigned as commander in chief or Unit his resignation is im pending. PETROGRAD, May 17. The cabi net crisis has been settled. A dec laration of tho government's policy has been acepted by the representa tives of the council of workmen's and soldiers' delegates with merely slight alterations and was signed by them ut midnight .... During the sitting, M. Tchernoff, national socialist, was appointed min ister of agriculture, and M. Skobeleff, ' president ot the council ot workmen's and soldiers' dolegates, wbb apolnt ed minister of. labor. It was also dcided to be desirable to lclude In the government Foodor Kokoshklne, constitutional democrat, and a protes sor at the University of Moscow, and M. Tsorotolll, member of the council of workmen's and soldiers' delegates. The duty of these men will be to prepare for the constitutionalist as sembly. General Tonco Is Aim. The government's declaration ot policy begins with a statement that tho government's oim is tho attorn ment of a general peace without con- piest of other nations, dopriving them ol: their nutional sorcroignty or their territory. In a word, pencn ' without annexations or contributions. The declaration further meets the ounciPs demands by promising to take sleps toward the attainment of in agreement with tho allies which will realize Ihe government's dccln- ' rolion of April !). The government, however, is convinced that Russia's defeat in the war would ho n great misfortune lo all nations and while willing to moke a general pence on the above foundations, believes firm ly Hint revolutionary Russia will not permit the defeat of its allies in tho west, Tlie government consents to tho council's deinond for tho democrati zation of the army, but desires to combine it with n strengthening of hiissio s fighting forces. Coolrol of Production. The declarations moet half way the council's socialist progrnm by promising further control over the production, transport, snlo nnd dis tribution of products, measures for the better protection of liberty, tho right to a settlement of the land question by the constituent assem bly, increased direct taxation of wealth, development in n demoerulio direction of local self-government and the hastening of preparations (Continued on Page 81z.) t, .n AT PETROGRAD, May 17. It Is offi cially stated that roportB of anarchy reigning In Vladivostok sire untrue. Tho commander of tho fortress re ports that the situation has been or derly since the overthrow of the old roglmo. i Nothing has been previously re ceived with regard to any trouble at Vladivostok.