NAVY TO TAKE LEAD
IN FLANS OF DEFENSE
WASHINGTON, April 13. It has been decided that the war
ships of the United States navy will undertake to patrol the At
lantic coast from Panama northward, possibly including < anada,
permitting the withdrawal of the vessels constituting the Biitish
and French patrol.
The President is determined upon a colossal campaign to break
the submarine blockade, as the first physical stroke of the war.
Being unable at present to dispatch an army, he will send a great
armada of merchantmen loaded with food.
President Wilson has directed General Gocthals to take charge
of the work of constructing a thousand wooden ships for foreign
commerce.
The war department prepared today to issue instructions to re
cruiting officers, which will be effective immediately, calling fot
MIO.OOO volunteers to till up gaps in the regular army and existing
units of the national guard.
Recruits enlisted since the declaration of war and those enlisted
hereafter will be notified that they will not be discharged until the
close of the war. This puts them in the status of war time volun
teers.
Ancient Brotherhood Revived
WASHINGTON. April 13. - General Neville, the French com
mander-in-chief. and General Hugh L. Scott, chief of staff of the
United States army, today exchanged telegrams reviving the fra
ternity sealed bv Lafayette and Rocnumbeau in the American war
for independence.
Vice Admiral Browning of the British navy and Rear Admiral
Pegraiasse of the French navy today conferred with Secretary Dan
iels and Admiral Benson with reference to co-operation between
• he allied navies for the conduct of the war. The commanders
came to the United States on their flagships.
Providing the Sinews of War
WASHINGTON, April 11.—The ways and means committee
of the house has unanimously reported a bill for the issuance of
So.000,000,000 in bonds, and recommending its passage. It is
regarded as practically certain that 50 per cent of the first year s
war expenditures will be raised by taxation. This is tile virtual
decision of leaders of tlie senate and house.
WASHINGTON. April 12. -The senate has passed the sundry
civil bill, which was crowded out at the last session, ami the Presi
dent has been assured by the leaders that biiis providing sever, bil
lions of dollars for the conduct of the war will pass the house this
week. The house began consideration of the bill authorizing the
bond issue this morning.
The senate today passed the bill appropriating $278,000,000 for
tiie existing regular army The funds are made immediately avail
able.
Women Can Do Half, Says Lane
Secretary Lane says that the women of the nation can do half
of the fighting hv aiding in food conservation and encouraging pa
triotism.
The First Flurry of War
WASHINGTON. April 7. -The second day of the war with
Germany finds every government agency in action along prede
termined lines, with congressional committees at work on the
new army bill and finance measures. The navy and its newly
organized power boat coast patrol squadron is being mobilized.
The naval militia and naval reserves are complying with the call
to colors.
Reports of German commerce raiders off the Atlantic ports
were Hashed along the seaboard today, and all shipping was prac
tically tied up while navy patrols went out to establish the identity
of the mysterious ships reported near the steamship lanes. This
was the first breath of war at the doors of America, and it sent a
thrill through the country.
Amateur Wireless Stations Closed
WASHINGTON, April 7. -The President has ordered all radio
stations needed for naval communication to be seized and the
rest closed. The government plans to use the seized German ships
as the property of the United State? and to pay for them after the
close of the war. The coast and geodetic survey will be put under
orders of the navy department as soon as the necessary congres
sional authority can be obtained.
Rumor That Raider Was Sunk.
BOSTON, April 9.—Reports have been widely circulated to the
effect that United States destroyers or submarines have sunk the
German raider seen Sunday off Nantucket. In reply to questions
naval men answered, “We can say nothing about it.”
The following message was received Sunday at the Boston navy
yard from the Nantucket lightship: “Commerce raider passed
N antucket shoals, bound west, at 7:20.”
Alaska Stations Are Included
SEATTLE, April 9.—Commandant Coontz of the Puget Sound
navy yard this morning ordered all amateur radio station? in
Washington and Alaska closed.
Munitions Board Created
WASHINGTON, April 10.—It is announced by Secretary of
the Navy Daniels that a general munitions board has been created,
with Frank A. Seott, a Cleveland manufacturer, at its head. It
will consist of twenty members.
The Puget Sound navy yard is building twenty-five submarine
chasers, and the Mare Island, Cal., yard will build fifteen.
Arranging for War Conferences
WASHINGTON, April 11. A series of war conferences be
tween the United States and the allies are to be held here and
abroad from time to time.
LONDON, April 11.—It is announced that Arthur Balfour,
the foreign secretary, will leave for Washington• on a special mis
sion. in a few days.
Miscellaneous War Preparations
SAN FRANCISCO, April 12.—The navy department has di
rected that every steamship master be warned that German sub
marines are operating in the Pacific.
SAN FRANCISCO, April 13,—A second warning as to the pres
ence of submarines in the Pacifie was sent out today.
WASHINGTON, April 12. The President today created a war
zone about American forts, and terming certain waters defensive
areas.
SEATTLE, April 12.—Bids have been opened for thirty-four sea
going submarines.
-»
SINK AMERICAN SCHOONER IN MEDITERRANEAN
The American schooner Marguerite has been sunk by a sub
marine southwest of the island of Sardinia. The crew, including
one American, were exposed for forty-six hours in open boats.
♦oooooooooooooooo*
o o
O REAL PEACE PROPHESIED *
o o
o LONDON, April 12.—Premier Da- O
O vid Lloyd George, in an address at O
^ an American Club luncheon today. O
O said that with the entry of the O
O United States into the war he could O
O see a real peace coming. He declared O
O that it would have been a tragedy to O
O mankind did not America have a O
O seat at the peace table, which right O
O she has now- won. He remarked O
O further that the United States never O
<> has been in a war except for liberty O
O and humanity. ^
O O
♦oooooooooooooooo*
-4—
GATHERING IN GERMANS
ENGAGED IN CONSPIRACIES
WASHINGTON, April S. The arrest of
| sixty ringleaders among the German plot
ters and conspirators in the United States
has been ordered by Attorney General Greg
| ory. They have long been under surveil
lance.
Munitions Plant Horror
CHESTER, Penn., April 11—One hun
\ dred and twenty-two persons, mostly girls,
i are dead as a result of an explosion in the
| Etna munitions plant at Eddystone yester
j day morning. Two hundred others were
| injured. The plant was owned by the Rus
| sian government.
Infamous Plot Frustrated
EL PASO. Texas, April 12. --An attempt
| io dynamite the Elephant Butte dam by
I German plotters has been frustrated by
\ troops guarding the structure, according to
telephone advices received here. The re
' port says that the dynamiters were arrested
: by troops guarding the structure.
For Abusing President and Fiag
j SEATTLE, April 13.—Numerous arrests
| of Germans throughout the United States
for abusing the President and the American
Hag are reported.
- —
ROOSEVELT FOLLOWS BRYAN
IN TENDER OF SERVICES
WASHINGTON, April 10.- Former Presi
I dent Roosevelt laid his plans to raise an |
i army division before President Wilson to- ;
| day. He urged his former services to the
! country as a claim for recognition at this j
! time. He told newspaper men that he was j
i received with the utmost courtesy and con- ,
j sideration.
—«
COMMENT OF PERUVIANS
| LIMA. Peru, April 9.—The Peruvian j
| press expresses the opinion that the en- j
| trance of the United States and Cuba into j
| the war, together with the sinking of the
j Parana, make it imperative that the na
j lions of South America form an ultimate I
common policy against Germany.
EXPERT ON AGRICULTURE
ISSUES TIMELY WARNING
ON FAMINE POSSIBILITY
ST. LOUIS. April 9. “We are entering
upon one more war without a reserve of
food,” declared Henry J. Waters, member
of the faculty of the Kansas state agricul
tural college, before a conference here today,
called by Secretary Houston to consider the
food situation in this country. “The visible
supply of food,” he continued, “will be con
sumed before another harvest. Should we
have an unfavorable season the Lhiiteil
States would face the greatest food shortage
since the civil war.”
DAUGHTER OF RICH BREWER
USES ROOF OF RESIDENCE
AS GERMAN RADIO STATION
NEW YORK. April 9. —Government se
cret service officers have discovered that
until recently Mrs. Hugo Riesinge, daughter
of the late Adolphus Busch, the millionaire
St. Louis brewer, maintained a powerful
wireless receiving station at the top of her
Fifth avenue residence, and that German
Ambassador Bernstorff received many mes
sages over it from Germany.
FOR THE NATION'S WELFARE
NEW YORK, April 13.—Charles E. 1
Hughes, in a speech here last night, said ^
that President Wilson’s leadership had been j
nobly demonstrated. He declared that all •
citizens should support him.
_ _—
TOLL OF NEUTRAL VESSELS
WASHINGTON, April 11—The state de
partment announced today that 686 neutral
vessels have been sunk since the beginning |
of the war.
-•—
TELEGRAPHIC BREVITIES
SAN FRANCISCO, April 12. The China
Mail Company has purchased the Pacific
Coast Steamship Company’s fire-damaged
steamship, the Congress, now at Seattle,
for $800,000.
SEATTLE, April 13.— The contemplated
cruise of the Seattle Yacht Club in Alaskan J
waters in connection with the celebration of
the fiftieth anniversary of the Alaska pur- |
chase has been declared off on account of |
the war.
SEATTLE, April 10.—A. Case, for thirty ;
years master mechanic of the Puget Mill |
Company, at Port Gamble, is dead.
SEATTLE. April 7. A great patriotic
parade was held here tonight.
WASHINGTON, April 7 - Lester H. •
Woolscy of New York ha* been nominated j
by the President to be solicitor of the state :
department. |
WASHINGTON, April 13. -Ambassador |
Francis, at St. Petersburg, represents that |
conditions in Russia are steadily improving. |
KANSAS CITY. April 10.—All murder j
charges against Or. Hyde have been dis- j
missed. [
CLEVELAND. Ohio, April 13. Frink |
Rockefeller, brother of John D. Rockefeller, i
is dying.
♦oooooooooooooooo^
<> GAMBLING ON PEACE £
O o
O LONDON, April 12. The feeling O
O in some quarters that the war will O
O end hy the last of the year is indi- O
O cated by the fact that in underwrit O
O ing circles business was done yester- O
O day undertaking “to pay total loss O
O if peace is not declared before De- O
O comber 31,” at a premium of 45 O
O guineas per cent. ^
O Nineteen vessels were sunk during O
O the week ending April 8, showing a O
O decrease in number and tonnage O
O compared with the previous week. O
O O
t-00000000000000004
--♦
EFFECT OF DECLARATION
ON MARKETS OF WORLD
BERNE, April 7. After President Wil
son's war address had been sent to Ger
many the exchange rate went down to 77 Vi
centimes, the lowest on record.
Pessimism at Chicago
CHICAGO, April 7.- The reported ap
pearance of a German raider on the At
lantic coast, followed by pessimistic gov
ernment crop reports, caused wild fluctu
ations on the wheat market today. At one
time May wheat sold at $2.12.
-A
INTERNED GERMAN CRUISER
DESTROYED BY HER CREW
WASHINGTON, April 7. -The interned
German cruiser Cormorant, at Guam, has
been blown up and destroyed by her crew.
Two German warrant officers and five en
listed men were killed by the explosion.
Twenty officers, twelve warrant officers and
321 enlisted men were taken prisoners. j
When the American forces went to take
possession of the vessel upon the announce
ment of the declaration of war the crew ,
refused to surrender the ship, and the ex
plosion followed.
TURK 'AND BULGAR ACTION
THE HAGUE. April 7. A dispatch from
Vienna says that passports have been placed j
at the disposal of the American embassy,
and that Turkey and Bulgaria have de
cided to break off diplomatic relations with
ihe United States.
BELGIAN RELIEF SHIP SUNK
NEW YORK. April 7.—The Belgian re
lief ship Anna Fostness, carrying $250,000 j
worth of grain to Rotterdam, was sunk by ?
a German submarine.
-♦
NEW YORK STRIKES MINE
WASHINGTON. April 10.--The Ameri
can liner New York struck a mine off
Liverpool last night, but reached Liverpool ,
this morning. No lives were lost.
-----
UNITED STATES NOT IN DANGER OF FOOD SHORTAGE
_ . i
SEATTLE. April 12. Advance informa
| lion received by Seattle retail groceries is
: to the effect that tinned fruits and vege
; tables of all kinds are to be 50 per cent
higher for fid! delivery, 1917, and whole
salers in many lines already have revised
their prices for the 19IS pack up to that
figure. The soaring price of tin as assigned
| as the cause.
" *
Houston Says There Is No Cause for Alarm
In a statement published March 4 under
1 authority of Secretary Houston of the de
| partment of agriculture, it is intimated that
\ there are ulterior motives behind the food
! scare. The statement is in part as fol
! lows:
I There is nothing in the food situation of
| the country which justifies hysterical think
; ing or action. This is not a time for hys
teria. Nor is this a time for the thought
of the American people to be directed or
dominated by those who have the interests
of another country primarily at heart or
any selfish interest to further.
The prices of foodstuffs are high. A full
and satisfactory explanation of prevailing
prices is not possible on the basis of exist
ing knowledge It s only recently that
agencies have been created in the country
It is essential that wc have the facts,
not all the necessary facts to enable us to
arrive at the truth. Where the food supply
= located, who owns it, what may be the
difficulties of securing it, whether the local
market conditions are due to car shortage,
whether there is artificial manipulation or
control, no one can state wdth certainty.
It is essential that we have the fates,
not only because of the light they might
throw on present conditions, but also be
cause they are prerequisite for the working
out of a permanent, just and economical sys
tem of marketing. Therefore the investiga
tion directed by the president ought to be
made promptly and congress ought to give
the federal trade commission and the de
partment of agriculture the necessary funds.
Certainly such an investigation cannot fur
nish immediate relief, but it would be ab
surd to oppose it for this reason. It does
not stand in the way of any other measure
that may be wise. It does not prevent any
constructive action on the part of any muni
cipal or local agencies. We must have the
facts and the sooner the investigation is
undertaken the better. It is highly probable
that as a result of it large permanent im
! provements may be made.
Estimated Food Supply
I The weather conditions during the grow
ing season of 1916 were unfavorable in many
j parts of the world. They were distinctly
j unfavorable in this countrj’. Although
j there was a large wheat acreage, the weather
i conditions were such as to favor the ap
pearance of the black-rust disease affecting
wheat. The consequence was that although
the acreage was large, the yield was rela
tively small. The conditions were not espe
1 dally favorable for corn, and for some other
! important crops. Still the food output on
1 he whole for the current year was not
so small as to excite alarm. The corn crop
was 2,600.000,000 bushels, nearly the five
year average. The oats crop was above
the five-year average, the barley crop very
nearly the five-year average, rye 10,000,000
bushels more than the five-year average,
and rice ,40,000,000 bushels, as against 29,
000,000 bushels the year before, and 24,
500,000 bushels, the five-year average. The
| production of kaffir corn, a relatively new
J crop, was 50,000,000 bushed.
! The production of peaches, 37,000,000
ibushels; of pears, 10,400,000 bushels, and
of apples, 67,500,000 barrels, represents ap
! proximately the five-year average, while the
j estimated production of oranges was 23,
' 800,000 boxes, or 2,600,000 more than that
of the preceding year. The crop of sugar
| beets was one of the largest ever produced.
I Meat products, likewise, were produced in
I larger quantities, the estimated amount for
J the year being 22,278,000,000 pounds, as
' against a five-year average of 19,712,000,000
pounds, or 2,000,000,000 pounds greater
than the output for the year 1915. Dairy
products, on the whole, showed a gain, while
poultry products also increased.
Wheat Showed Decrease
The two food products which reveal a
marked decrease were wheat and Irish po
tatoes. It is evident that the public has
failed to look at all the facts involved, es
pecially in the case of wheat. The wheat
crop for the current year was reported to
be 640,000,000 bushels, as against a five
year average of 728,000,000 bushels, and
the record crop of 1915, of 1,026,000,000
bushels. Apparently the public has com
pared the crop of 1916 solely with the
record crop of 1915, and failed to take into
account the unusually large carry-over from
that year into the present year of 164,000,
000 bushels or more. Furthermore, its at
tention has been fixed on the large exports
of the two years immediately following the
outbreak of the war. The expert* of wheat
[ in normal limes are approximately 105,- j
000,000 bushels. The year preceding the j
: war it was 145,000,000 bushels. In 1914-15
I it was 332,000,000 bushels, dropping in
| 1915-16 to 243,000,000 bushels. Looking
! only at the crop of 640,000,000 bushels, and
^ having in mind the possibilities of export
: as suggested by the figure of 332,000,000
for 1914-15, the public naturally appre
hended that there would be a lack of bread.
Dealers and others became unduly excited.
Total Available Supply
The total available supply, including both
the crop and carry-over, aggregating 804,
1 000,000 bushels—a part of which, it should
' be said, was not suitable for milling pur
! poses—should have been considered, as well
; as the relatively small exports for the first
| six months of the current year. Up to the
i first of January the exports were only 97,
000. 000 bushels, and they have tended to
decrease partly on account of the disturbed
shipping conditions since the first of Janu
ry. Our normal domestic needs of wheat
for human food, for seeding purposes and
for a reserve to carry over into the next
ear require 640,000,000 bushels. As 1
e stated, the total year’s supply is 804,
900,000 bushels. This would give us an
available exportable surplus of 164,000,000
bushels. At the rate of export since the
irst of July, with the tendency to decline
recently, we should have enough wheat in
the country very' nearly to supply normal j
needs.
The secretary estimates the crop for the
coming season at 737,000,000 bushels, al
though disclaiming gifts of prophecy. A
[ yield equal to that of 1914, of 16.6 bushels
j per acre, would give us 979,000,000 bushels.
No Dictator Needed
Regarding the meat supply the secretary |
says that figures recently submitted show
that the number of cattle on January 1,
1917, was 1,037.000 greater than on January
1, 1916, and that the milk cows had in
creased in the same period 660.000. A very
considerable development in live stock is
taking place in the South.
The solution of the food question will
it involve a federal dicatorship, he says,
and it is highly unlikely that it will in
volve a dictatorship in any state or com
munity. America does not take kindly to
dictators. “As I stated at the outset,” he
concludes, "there is no occasion for hys
teria. Intelligent planning and constructive
action, in conjunction with the operation
of normal forces, .are what we need, and
these only can bring about a satisfactory
result ' ‘
BRITISH AND FRENCH
MAKE IMPORTANT GAINS
LONDON, April 13. The war office announced today that the
British forces, continuing the battle of Arras, had seized several im
portant positions, and had encountered heavy fighting north of liar
gincourt, where the Germans put ttp a strong resistance against their
advance. After fighting all night in a blizzard, the British yeater
day morning captured two more important positions on the \imy
ridge. One thousand yards of trenches south of the Barbus wood,
in the region southeast of Vimy, were also captured by the Brit
ish yesterday morning. In the capture of a hill southeast of Wan
court, the previous day, the British took eleven guns. The fight
ing took place between Croisilles and Scaipe, south of the Scarpe
river. The British were reported to be in akin .j good progress.
Important Successes of Preceding Day*
LONDON, April 11.—The British pushed their lines as far as
Monehy and I.eprex, five miles east of Arras, and made further
gains on the Vimy ridge. The number of prisoners captured
was 11,000, including 225 officers, with one hundred heavy
guns. General Haig reported the capture today of the villages
of Monehy, Leprex and Labergire, and that Ids troops were
sweeping onward.
LONDON, April 10. The British today advanced from two
to three miles on u twelve-mile front southeast of Arras. Six thou
sand German prisoners were taken, including 119 officers, with
more to be counted.
A village north of St. Quentin has been taken, with some pris
oners and machine guns.
With the French Fortes
PARIS, April 7. The French have progressed northwest of
Rheims, where there has been sanguinary fighting during the past
two days.
PARIS, April 13. The French made an attack this morning
on a new front south of St. Quentin. Today’s statement says that
the Germans resisted desperately, but that the French captured
several lines of trenches, taking many prisoners and a number of
machine guns. The French also made further gains east of Coucy
and Laville, taking prisoners and booty.
Germans Also Report Gains
BERLIN, April 7.— The Germans have made gains on the
Ancre front, taking prisoners fifteen officers and *01) men, with
guns and mine throwers.
--*
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICAN REPUBLICS
EXPECTED TO MAKE WAR ON GERMANY
RIO JANEIRO, April 13.—-The government has decided to arm
all Brazilian ships sailing for Europe. The government has decided
to seize all German ships in Argentine ports.
The Austrian minister today made a request for his passports.
A German newspaper plant; at Saa Paulo has been wrecked
No Declaration of War as Vet
RIO JANEIRO, April I——The German minister tvaa given has
passports today. Up to rhe present there has been HD' declaration
of war. A mes'senger was' dispatched to Petropolis to hand the
minister his passports and to say that the legation, wifi be sent to
Germany by steamship from Rio Janeiro.
Demands Explanation
BUENOS AYRES, April 13.—The German minister has de
manded an explanation of the terms of the Argentine note declar
ing that Argentina supported the position of the United States.
Early Eatrsirca Into War Expscled
WASHINGTON, April- 11.—Unofficial advices from Brazil are
to the. effect that that country has decided to break off relations
with Germany. News that Argentina would also suoporl the
United States was received today. A reported declaration of war
by Brazil is credited, though- not confirmed. Indications are that
Brazil. Guatemala and Phru will join with Cuba and Panama on
the side of the United States and the entente allies. They are
well supplied with munitions, but will request that assistance bo
rendered by the American government in the way of sending
bread, meat and money, and providing ships with convoy.
The early entrance of the several of the South and Central
American nations into the war against Germany is expected.
War Demonstrations in Rio Janeiro
RIO JANEIRO, April 10.—The indications are that nothing
can prevent a rupture of relations between Brazil and Germany.
A large number of students, carrying the flags of Brazil and the
entente allies, took part in a demonstration today against Ger
many. A demonstration was also carried out against the German
consulate.
Chileans Greatly Disturbed
SANTIAGO, Chile, April 9.—The Chilean people are greatly
disturbed at the course of events in Barzil in consequence of the
sinking of the Parana. The entrance of Cuba into the war, and
the altitude of Panama, have made a deep impression. The belief
is expressed that eventually Chile will be compelled to join in the
war against Germany.
Points the Way for Hesitating Neutrals
MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay, April 9.—Uruguayan newspapers
devote columns to the war between the United States and Ger
many. El Sigelo says that the entrance of the United States into
the war will prove a telling blow to Germany, and points the way
for neutrals who are still hesitating.
Cuba Will Be in Line
HAVANA, Cuba, April 7.—The president has sent a message
asking congress to declare war against Germany.
Even Mexico May Be Our Ally
BROWNSVILLE, Texas, April 7.—Carranza is alleged to be
desirous of routing the Germans out of the Mexican army'.
- ♦ ---
RELATIONS WITH AUSTRIA-HUNGARY
ARE BROKEN—AMBASSADORS RECALLED
WASHINGTON, April 9.—Austria today broke off diplomatic,
relations with the United States. Charge Zwiedinek called at the
state department and asked for his passports. He informed the
department that the order for his action was issued yesterday.
A short time earlier Minister Stovall, at Berne, cabled the state
department that the break was ordered yesterday. American Am
bassador Penfield knows nothing of the break, as he left Vienna
April 7. Turkey and Bulgaria are expected to take similar actiou
at any time.
All American consular officers and diplomats are to be with
drawn from Austria-Hungary. Spain will take over the interests
of the United-States in Austria. All Austrian consular officers and
diplomats are to be withdrawn hr,rr. the United States.