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About Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1903-1919 | View Entire Issue (April 7, 1917)
IBfl CIRCULATION IS OVER 4400 DAILY . , FULLLSIS-D W1R3 DIZIATCUZ3 a a a s Mm v FORTIETH YEAR NO. 84 SALEM, OREGON, SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 1917 PRICE TWO CENTS ON TRAINS AND NHWS BTANDH FIVE CKNTS otl f 01 GERMAN CRUISER BLOWN IIP ? Explosion Occurred As Amer ican Marines Were About to Board Her OFFICER AND MAN DEAD FIVE OTHERS MISSING She Was Interned Dec. 15, 1914-32 Officers and 321 of Crew Prisoners Wellington, April 7 The German in tnrne.ll cruiter Cormorant has been blown up by its crew in the harbor of (iiiHtn, the navy department announced today. The ship was destroyed by the Ger mans as the United .States marines were going to seize the vessel. Two German warrant officers and five German enlisted men were killed. Twenty German officers, 12 warrant officers and 321 enlisted men of tho ves sel were taken prisoners. The news reached the navy depart ment this morning in a radio dispatch from the United States governor of Guam. No other details than the above were given out immediately by the navy de iiartuient. It was said there would be a fuller dispatch later. The Cormorant was a converted cruiser, aotive in the early days of the war in raiding allied commerce in the .South Pacific. A later statement by the navy de- partment indicated that possibly one of tne two warrant otneera ana iour or the five enlisted men originally report - ed dead mav have escaped. Two Known Dead. One warrant officer and one enlisted iiiou are now reported as known dead One warrant officer and four enlisted men are listed as "missing." . The department also aniiounccd the taking over without incident the Ger-' man interned ships Geier and Locksun at Hawaii and the OdenwaUl of Porto Kico. No resistance, it was stated, was made by the crews of these three ships. A still later official navy depart ment statement was as follows: "The German auxiliary cruiser Cor morant, was blown up in the harbor of Apia, Island of Guam, today by the e.rew of 'the Cormorant, sinking immedi ately. One warrant officer and one en listed man are dead, one warrant officer viiil four enlisted men are missing, 20 officers, 12 warrant officers and 321 en listed men have been made prisoners. "On October 28, 1914, the 35 foot ttitter Ocean Comber entered the har bor of Apra, in charge of Lieutenant Vim Elpons, of the Imperial German navy. The boat and party of three officers and four natives of New Guina have been at sea for a long time, having left S. M. S. Cormorant for the purpose of sending n cable to San Francisco for supplies. Tii-j date of the cipher was October 12, and the location of tho Cormorant was not disclosed. Could Not Get Coal. " Permission was not granted to send the cablegram and the officers and men were interned "On December 14, 1014. the German auxiliary- cruiser Cormorant appeared j i'f (he harbor of Apra and sent a radio asking permission to enter for coal and provisions. She was allowed to enler and the commanding officer permitted to visit tho governor. " fomninniling Officer .luiu'ksi'hwerdt (Continued on page four.) ABE MARTIN u a n n n n at piia I I IMIlUUlim UUrtl. tion of Mrs. J. C. Larson, who became Th' ole time bride that used t' bring, sspieious when she saw the plotters her husband a little dowry on th' side 'conferring in an alley in the suburbs, now has a daughter who'll need about She concealed herself in a woodshed ninety dollars' worth o' dental work and heard details of the plot done t' begin with. Nothin' turns a' She notified the police and two pa house upside down like a sick fat man. trolmen made the arrests. Insulting the Flag Got Three In Jail Seattle-, Wash-, April 7. Three ruen re in the citv jail because they start ed attacks on the American flag that-i they couldn t finish. ' Adnm Kninnth. tr 40. a German, and M. Basch, age 35, a Hungarian, were Vj 'i(t n the lobby of the Puget Sound I . Inst nifrht. when thev anw a. man w smalt American flag pinned to his lapel. They looked at him, then -. d and finally cursed: "Yo. j" one of them said, "are you goin fa fight for that flngt" They were talking to Jules Chriaen son, a Belgian. "Yes," he replied and then sailed in to the men who had cursed him. The police, after hearing an explanation of the affair took the German and Hun garian to jail. Joe Blim, age 35, an Austrian, landed in a cell next to his allies, after he cursed tho flag while standing at Pion eer Square. As he stood defaming the colors, Police Sergeant C. G. Carr and Patrolman Morris arrested him and took him to the police headquarters. ON ATLANTIC COAST Rumored Raiders Are Seen Off Coast at Several Points Washington, April 7. The navy de partment leurncd today of a strange craft off Nantucket light. The department would not give out the time the vessel was seen or from what sources the department received its information. "Her nationality is not as ret known," it was officially stated. That Germany may stage something spectacular against America within the next row days such ns a repetition of the TJ-53 visit was the confident be lief ot some officials today. The ii'ivv nnwpvnr poti ha sc.iil tn lit on tn9 fuu i00kout for just such moves. 'Everything is being done to cteck no cn Germany's moves- Lighthouses and light ships have been mobilized wita the navy and reported to report any suspicious incidents long the coasts. Tho Nantucket shoals light reported to the navy that a vessol had passed there headed westward. The depart ment explained that the report .meant that the light keeper did not recognize (Continued on page three.) TELLS OFATROCITIES Scene of Utter Desolation Left by Germans Abandoning Villages Washington, April 7. Never before in the history of the world has there been such destruction, either by victor ious or vanquished armies as that wrought by tho retrating Germans in the 100 miles of French territory they have just evacuated, Ambassador Sharp cabled the state department today. Reports that have been published re garding the destruction visited by the Kaiser's hordes as tney dropped back before British and French armies, 'have in no wnv l-een pvn tro-prntil M Khm-n sajj. The dispatch said: "Iu the larger towns of Roye and Ham, and particularly in the attractive and thriving town of Charuy, destruc tion was complete. "In many of the villages scarcely a house remained with roof intact- "Throughout the recovered territory there reigns a scene of dccolatiou. Ger man military operations might possibly excuse a destruction in the blowing up of a bridge, telegraphic and telephonic connections, railway lines and the block ing of kifihnav bv fellinc trees which protected the German retreat, but towns were totally destroyed tor no apparent military reason. "iruit trees have either been cut (Continued on page four.) German Plotters Arrested at Denver Denver, Colo., April 7. Two Ger mans, giving their names as Karl Burke, ae 3(, and Charles Nelson, age 67 were arrested by police here today and turned over to secret service oper atives, following discovery of what is believed to be a plot for a wholesale, dynamiting campaign, including blow ing up the home of Governor J. C. Gun ter. Adjutant General IVank Baldwin. Police Chief Hamilton Armstrong and three public school buildings. Three other men, said to be impli cated, arc being sought, but are be lieved to have escaped. The arrests were made on informa II ED IS CUT AMERICA OFF VISITIIC LIST Unofficial Report Says Am bassador Ordered to De mand Passports AMERICAN AMBASSADOR LEAVES VIENNA SUNDAY Austrian Representative at Washington Never Formal ly Recognized LEAVES TOMORROW Geneva, Switzerland, April 7 American -Ambassador Pen field at Vienna has demanded his passports and will probab ly leave tomorrow, according to a delayed dispatch received here todav. London, April 7. Austria apparent ly has broken relations with the Unit ed States- That "Foreign Minister Czernin had instructed Ambassador Tarnowski at Nw asiiingtoa to demand his passports was reported from two sources here to day. A special agency dispatch from1 The Hague asserted it. So did dispatch es received by the Paris newspaper, Le Matin, from its correspondent in Basle. Thig latter said Austrian papers made formal announcement of Austria-Hungary's alignment with her ally, Ger many, against America. Information contained in dispatches from The Hague asserted that Ameri- Cttii Ambassador Penficld and his staff had been formally given passports and that the Netherlands government would probably represent the United States hereafter in Austria-Hungary. It was also reported, that the other members of the central powers alliance Turkey and Bulgaria, would shortly an nounce formal severance of relations with the United States. Count Tarnowski has never been formally recognized as ambassador to the United States. He is now in Wash ington and has been there for a month or more cooling his heels and waiting for the United States to receive him formally as a diplomatic envoy. In the meantime, although there was no official-explanation, it was intimated that Tarnowski was not being formal ly accredited because America was waiting to see whether Austria approv ed Germany's unlimited subniariiiings. Count Tarnowski succeeded Count iDumba, whose recall was asked by tho United States because of his liropa- i8. 'i'l'vnfiel.l A,Bv!a bassador to Vienna, was supposed to have left the Aiistro-Hungarinn eniii- tal yesterday. Several days ago the Vi ennese government formally announc ed that Penficld was leaving for a three months vacation this being the first intimation that ho was ready to depart. The American government has main tained a mysterious silence ever since about its ambassador or concerning re lations with Austrin-Hngary. If the Basle and Hague reports are true, they appear to offer complete explanation for Penficld 's mysterious departure and the reticence of Wash ington officials to discuss it. No Official Information Washington, April 7. The Austrian embassy told the United Press that officials knew nothing regarding the reported break in relations with the United States. The state department also announc ed officials there "knew nothing about the report " Belmont Track Has Bad Morning Fire New York, April 7. Six incendiary today destroyed the main grand stand, the terminal grandstand, the betting ring and the jockey house ond other buildings at Belmont Park race track on Long Island. Four fires broke out first in the grandstand and quickly spread to the other buildings. The loss is estimated at $fi:0,0OO. Local firo apparatus was inadequate and August Belmont, owner of the property, appealed to New York fire forces for help. Engines were sent from Jamaica, but arrived too late to be of any assistance- The club house, while not destroyed, was badly damaged by smoke and wa ter. Many horses were saved with dif ficulty from the stables. NAVAL MILITIA MOBILIZING Portland, Ore-, April 7. The Oregon naval militia is being mobilized today. The men will be sent to the naval sta tion at Bremerton, Wash., for training, and are expected to be put on the Pa cific reserve fleet to release the regular sailors tor other fleets. WHEAT OUTLOOK BAD Washington, April 7. A forecast of production of about 43rt,00i.0io bushels of winter wheat, which compare with 4X1,744.000 bushels in 1910, was made today by the bureau of crop estimates. The average condition of win ter wheat wn. ; 4-10 per cent of normal, against 7S 310 per cent on April 1. 1910. There in a decrease in con dition from December 1. 19 Hi, to April I, 1917, of 22 3-10 per cent, as compared with an aver age decline in the past ten years of about four points be tween these same dates- The average condition of rve April 1 was 8H per cent of normal, against April 1, 1H. 87 810 on TO EE MAIN NEUTRAL Buenos Aires, April 7. Save for Brazil, and possibly Bolivia, dispatches today from South American capitals indicated all republics were preparing to announce their neutrality by specific proclamations. Conferences were in progress in practically all South Amer can capitals today. George Mitre, editor of I.a Nacion, today cabled congratu-. lations to President Wilson, ex plaining his purpose in part was to try to offset the coolness to ward the United States exhibit ed by the Argentine govern ment. "PAY AS WE GO" San Diego, Col., April 7. E. W. Scripps, millionaire newspa per publisher, today wired Presi dent Wilson as follows: "I strongly urge that we. should pay as we go in the war with income and inheritance taxes. All incomes of over one. hundred thousand dollars a year should be conscripted. Tho minimum cash -TOy of soldiers and sailors should be not less than three dofWfv per day- dur-.-ing the war. Such legislation would cost mo much more than half my present income." A LOAN TO ALLIES Washington, April 7. The ex tension of a credit to the allies of over one billion dollars and probably ns much as five billion will be the first step of actual participation in the war under the plan to be suggested to con gress by the president, it was learned today. Jc MAY FIX PRICE3 Washington, April 7. The possibility that the federal trade commission will be desig nated to fix war prices on food stufr's and all kinds of war supplies, developed today following the announcement that the commission had placed its service?, at the disposal of the National Defense council. NO GERMANS APPLY. Bismarck, N. D. April 7. Not a German name appeared in the list of petitioners for natur alization papers who will be heard at the approaching term of the district court of Burleigh county in May. There is a largo German population in this part of the state. CUBA MAY ACT TODAY New York, April 7. The Cuban congress will convene at 2 o'clock this afternoon and is almost certain to pass a resolu tion declaring a state of war to exist between Cuba and Ger many, the republic of Cuba news bureau announced this after noon, following receipt of a de layed cable from President Mem ocal's secretary. PRESIDENT CUTS PRICES. Washington, April 7. President Wil-' son yesterday afternoon invoked for the first time the provision in the navy bill giving him the power to fix prices for munitions. The president ordered a reduction from S9.104 to 7,92B, ami from 7,81fl to 6,M0 the Prices on different types of torpedoes under contract to the Bliss I company, Brooklyn, rs. x. M." i... u. k:. th. i,... and will be met "gladly" by the mnnu facturers, Secretary Daniels said. SECRET SERVICE ROUND UP IIUIER GERHAJSUSPECTS While Chase Is Hot No Alien Behaving Himself Will Be Disturbed 100,000 GERMAN SPIES SAID TO-BE IN COUNTRY Negroes In South Told They Can Marry White Women If They Rebel Washington. April 7. The govern ment round-up of German plotters and all enemies of the republic is in full blast today. - With scores already arrested or being run down, countless other arrests will be made within the next few days. The enormity of this plottors hunt can be imagined when it is remembered that the statement recently was" made on the. Compania Comerco y Navigation, to floor of the senate that 100,000 German gether with all docks and appurtenances spies had woven their intrigues in ev ery section of the country. While the chase is hot and will con tinue to me rolentlessly carrieV on against any alien suspected of afford-1 ing aid and comfort to the nation's cn-j cmies, officials again today repented their declaration that "well behaving" aliens need have no apprehension that they will be molested. Chief interest at this time centers on men who have long been trailed and card indexed because of their associa tions with the plotters ring established in various sections of the country by Captains Von Papen and Boy-cd. AVhile department of justice eni-secret service tgents work in deepest se crecy, refusing for obvious reasons to disclose even facts of arrests that have been made, it is taken for granted that another ehief object in the hunt is to keep war time watch on the bounds of German reservists hero who were unable to answer the call to the colors that sounded in 1914. It is known positively today that it has been from these men chietly re servists of younger years that Boy-cd and Von Papen drew material for their work of spying and intrigue against this government. While it is Known Dy oiriciais mai many of these men refused to do the bidding of Germany's spy masters in America, many did fall before the temp tation of gold and promises of high re ward in the event of war between the two countries- Another nest of "plotters" was 'Germany's consular service in America. Such aliens as had close connection ! with the kaiser's consular agents and who cannot satisfactorily explain those connections, ere to be arresteil at tho first suspicions action. Inciting Negroes. Jacksonville, Fla., April 7. Carl Fink, alias Charles Fink, German, was arrested here late last night 'for alleged activity in inciting negroes to rebellion, - was announced today. I Robert Hicks, negro, is also under ar- rest for delivering incendiary talks to employed as janitor. l'mltit, avaminntinn TTu'lcH Admitted 2j German agents had held a meeting in his neighborhood. These agents, Hicks 5 '. admitted, told the negro audience that if the tinted States won the war with ?! Germany all negros would be returned : i.,' n. fi, ,.,1,.,, i,oH ihnv were told that if the Germans were vie- torious negroes would be given equal I rights, including the privilege of inter - Tj ' marriage with whites. $ I UlliHo ghnAti Twn Trenton, N. J., April 7. Two men were shot by militiamen here early to day when they refused lo obey orders of soldiers guarding Pennsylvania rail road property Frank McGrath, ago 35; was shot in the abdomen while walking along the I tow path near the Greenwood avenue bridge, trans: nenry, age za, was snoi through the jaw while prowling along the river bank near the railroad stone bridge. Both will live. The men refused to halt at sentries' orders. Wires Are Cut. El Paso. Texas. April 7. Telephone communication between El Paso and the t;,l. in hndlv rrinnled this moriiinir as the result of many long distance wires Being cut during lasr. nigui. oen- mercmiai wirei.-os .v ...v trio, north of the citv fired on twoied States and its possessions. men, who were seen tampering with ,UM, vn Vmtt. mAii md their escarie.1 An'invpstiirfttion is bcincr made. . . Amrmlanm Camrj Burned. El Paso, Texas, April 7. The entire camp of the United States field ambu- bince comnanv A. at Fort Bliss, was de .trovoil hv fire, believed to be of in - cendiary origin, this morning. Military authorities are investigating. Railway Association Offers Full Services Washington, April 7. The United States will wage war with the unstinted and the co-operative backing of the greatest transportation system (n the world history. The American Railway association spokesman body for ninety seven per cent of the country's 250,000 miles of rail lines has offered the war depart-1 ment its resources down to the last t lat j car, if necessary, to speed the assembl-; ing ot tno men-at-arms, present and, prospective, it was announced today. runnermore, an plans ior ine most i thorough active co-operation between officials and the department await but j the word of the department. I Wit a this word, transportation ex perts on the roads' payrolls will enter the war department, the various army departmental headquarters and moboli zation centers and virtually take over the army's mobilization prwblems. TO German and Austrian Lega tions Under Guard, Excite- ment Is Intense Rio De Janeiro, April 7. The Brazil ian government today requisitioned for mnvftmrnptif uoa the mitit-f. fleet, nf the for purposes of national defense." The German and Austrian legations were put under guard. Public excitement is at a high pitch against Germany and apparently favors Brazil's alignment with tho United States against Germany. Fresh flames were added to thw fire of indignation against Germany with additional details received from the captain of the steamer Parana concern ing that vessel's destruction by a uerr man submarine. The commander declared there was no warning of any kind, and that the tor pedo struck his vessel about midnight presumably on Wednesday. The fourth engineer and two firemen were killed by- the explosion and a majority of the Parana's crew were wounded. Life boats bearing the survivors were afloat 12 hours before a French destroyer pici ed them up. So far the Brazilian government Las remained silent on its course of action; CAPITAL IS DENIED Communication Cut Off Two Days Resumed Costa Rica Gets "Sassy" Washington. April 7 Communication re-established today between Mexico City and Washington, revealed nofight inff in the Mexican capitol and did not confirm the report that General Car ranza had been imprisoned, it was stat ed at the slate department. Coupled with unofficial reports of fighting in Mexico City and the "rum or" that Carrnnza has been overthrown by General Obregon, the lack or com munication was at least disturbing. In Mexican quarters the rumor as to Carranza was branded tts " impossiDle,' nllhouffh in the same breath the Mex icaus confessed they did not know what the -status in Mexico City was. The real danger in the situation is that German money may have tainted the situation in Mexico City and really have caused Obregon to act against the first chief. For some time Obregon 's position nas ueen u. so...) -a ! though whenever any question as to his oyalt, ; arc. i, Loth American and Mex- ! Jean official, were quic o defend h i .as being staunchly behind the lust chief. In view of tho Zimmerman plot note, there may be extreme significance in Mexico City'e silence. Meantime, the attitude of Costa Rica toward the United States is still further caused for concern. President Tinoco, who usurped the government recently, is known to be sounding out this gov ernment aa to its feeling toward recog nizing him and the hint is that if the United States does not alter its previous position of opposition to him he may make friendly overtures to Germany and permit that nation to establish Bub marine bases along its coasts. Government Has Taken Possession of Wireless Wnshiiiirton. April 7 Shortly after noon todav the navy department com I pletnd the task of taking over all eom- In all 56 wireless stations heretofore used tor commercial purposes are now under complete control of the United .State new. The armv -wireless station, of course, still remain tinder control of tne war department. The navy department is - ,now engaging in closing and dismnnt - liner all private amateur stations throughout the country and its posses sions. NATION AROUSED : GIRDS QIIARMOR FOR C01IG FRAY rJV DA -t r...- LVCfy DraSCO 01 bOVCnSC! P-LI Dv.it.ml,'.. .4 AUSuIilg ITCpai&uSIl 21 Top Speed FIRST STEPS TAKEN TO RAISE $3,500,000,030 Navy Takes Over AH Firefcss Plants May Lend AEics Billion or More Washington, April 7. The powerful war machines of the United States are running full speed this afternoea preparing to hurl unlimited men and money against Germany. Congress is whipping into shape tl rush war measures now before the com mittees so that there will bo no delay in their passage when the senate and house meet Monday. . A war steering committee will be created for the purpose of sending em ergency legislation to committees that can handle them most expeditiously. rung tteorge of England and Kintr Victor Emmanuel of Italy, officially recognized Americca's CHtronce In the great war by telegrams of congratula tions to the president. Kepresentative llulberf, New York. paved the way for efficiently ergauis- mg the aerial arm ot the war machine by introducing a bill creating a depart ment in aeronautics, giving its secre tary a portfolio in the president's cab inet. Tepton Mails Stopped. Mails to Germany were ordered stop ped by Postmaster General Burlemin, for the duratiou of the war. "Mails to Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey likewise ceased, as they must pans through tho enemy's country. Citizen military camps were ordered discontinued and will be reptaend by training camps for America's expedi tionary force to Europe. . Iho navy department completed seiz ure of all commercial wireless plants) tor war purposes and began the tre mendous task of dismantling thousands of private radio stations- throughout the country. . The president cabled a greeting to Russia announcing that "the lluited States arrays itself in opposition to the greatest enemy aijd menace to democ racy." Start Raising Funds. Secretary Mc.Adoo took the first stop toword raising J.'l.SOO.OOOjOOO asked the first war financing fuud. Suggestion was made that tho United States extend credit of from one to five billion dollars to the allies. Secretary of War Baker, General Crowdcr and Major General Scott, chief of staff, conferred with the house military committee on the administra tion's bill for ruising men to fight Ger many. Baker asked insertion of a provision in tho staff bill for conscription of tech nically trained men to be nsed in the engineer and signal corps. The Austrian situation, while in tense, rema;ned officially in status quo late this afternoon. Wheat Crop Light. Official crop estimates shew thnt winter wheat this year will be fifty mil lion bushels less than last year anil 210,000,000 loss than the year befor". The navy department was official ly notified that the German cruiser Cormorant had been blown up by ber crew in the harbor of Guam with the loss of at least ono German officer and a seaman. One officer and four men oro missing. " The first house opposition to the gen eral staff plan for raising five hundred thousand men uy conscripnun ueveiup ed when Representative Anthony, Rim sas, announced he would introduce an amendment asking that the men bo raised by the volunteer system. Anthony told Secretary Baher thou sands of Kansans, although willing to- join a volunteer army, do not want to join a drafted army. The general staff plan, Anthony said, is cumbersome and would take months to be pot into oper ation. Other members of the tommit- tee showed agreement with Antnony'a views. THE WEATHER I Oregon: To night ond Sun day a h o w e r , cooler tonight southwest por tion; southerly winds. uEsTTTFofTrt (ouTJH0t0ui(N