WILL INSIST SHIPS FLYING
U. S. FLAG BE IDENTIFIED
BRITAIN REFUSES TO YIELD
England Refuses to Discontinue
Use of American Emblem,
Saying It Is Right of
Belligerents.
PASSES BUCK TO GERMANY
If U. S. Vessels Are Sunk Such
Act Will Constitute Piracy
For Which She Alone Is
Responsible, Claim.
London. Feb. 22.—Sir Edward Grey,
the British foreign minister, last night
made public Britain's reply to the Uni
ted States’ protest against the use of
the American flag by British merchant
vessels in the German -war zone. Eng
land refuses to discontinue the prac
tice, though Sir Edward declares the
use of the Stars and Stripes will not
be made a general custom.
Britain maintains that it is the priv
ilege of vessels of a belligerent nation
to use the flags of neutral nations to
escape capture; that such privilege is
recognized by the other powers; that
customs of war require hostile war
ships to ascertain definitely the nation
ality of merchant vessels before taking
possession of them and finally that if
German submarines sink neutral ves
sels without having taken precautions
to ascertain their nationality, such acts
will be acts of piracy, for which Ger
many will be solely responsible.
The following is the text of the reply
of Great Britain to the American note,
as handed to Walter Hines Page, the
American ambassador:
"The memorandum communicated on
the 11th of February calls attention in
courteous and friendly terms to the ac
tion of the captain of the British
steamship Lusitania in raising the flag
of the United States of America when
approaching British waters and says
that the government of the United
States would feel anxiety in consider
ing the possibility of any general use
of the flag of the United States by
British vessels traversing those waters,
since the effect of such a policy might
be to bring about a menace to the lives
and vessels of United States citizens.
"It was understood that the German
government announced their intention
of sinking British merchant vessels at
sight by torpedoes, without giving any
opportunity to make any provision for
the saving of lives of noncombatant
crews and passengers. It was in view
of this threat that the Lusitania raised
the United States flag on her inward
voyage.
Americans Requested It.
WIl UCI Buuacqucui uuivv aiu V vj.y ci£>vi
a request was made by United States
passengers, which were embarking on
board, that the United States flag
should be hoisted, presumably, to in
sure their safety. Meanwhile, the
memorandum from your excellency had
been received. His majesty's govern
ment did not give any advice to the
company as to how to meet this request
and it understood that the Lusitania
left Liverpool under the British flag.
"It seems unnecessary to say more as
regards the Lusitania in particular.
"In regard to the use of foreign flags
by merchant vessels, the British mer
chant shipping act makes it clear that
the use of the British flag by foreign
merchant vessels is permitted in time
of war for the purpose of escaping cap
ture. It is believed in the case of other
nations there is similar recognition of
the same practice with regard to their
flag and that none of them has for
bidden it.
"It would, therefore, be unreasonable
to expect his majesty's government to
pass legislation forbidding the use of
foreign flags by British merchant ves
sels to avoid capture by the enemy, now
that the German government have an
nounced their intention to sink mer
chant vessels at sight with their noh
combatant crews, cargoes and papers,
a proceeding hitherto regarded by the
opinion of the world not as war but
piracy. It felt that the United States
government could not fairly ask the
British government to order merchant
vessels to forego a means always hith
erto permitted of escaping not only
capture but the much worse fate of
sinking and destruction.
"Great Britain has always, when a
neutral, accorded to vessels of other
states at war the liberty to use the
British flag as a means of protection
against capture, and instances are on
record when United States vessels |
availed themselves of this facility at the
time of the American civil war. It
would be contrary to fairness to make
an exception now, if, when conditions
are reversed the United tSates and neu
tral nations were to grudge to British
ships the liberty to take similar action.
"The British government has no in
tention of advising its merchant ship
ping to use foreign flags as a general
practice, or to resort to them otherwise
than for escaping capture or destruc
tion. The obligation upon a belligerent
warship to ascertain definitely for itself
the nationality and character of a mer
chant vessel before capturing it and a
fortiori before sinking and destroying
it, has been universally recognized. If
that obligation is fulfilled the hoist
ing of a neutral flag on board a British
vessel cannot possibly endanger neutral
shipping and the British government
holds that if loss to neutrals is caused
by disregard of this obligation it is
upon the enemy vessel disregarding it
and upon the government giving the
orders that it should be disregarded
that the sole responsibility for injury to
neutrals ought to rest."
ELECTION INQUIRY IS
SURE TO BE ORDERED
Washington, It. C., Feb. 20.—In spite
ot efforts of Senator John Sharp
Williams to block it. Senator Norris’
resolution for investigation of cam
paign expenditures in Pennsylvania
and Illinois, will be favorably reported
from committee.
Senator Bristow today assured Sen
ator Norris he would support it and
this makes the committee stand 3 to 2
for a favorable report. The inquiry is
aimed at Penrose and Sullivan. It
was rumored last night Bristow would
not support the resolution, but Senator
Norris and he conferred today and he
said he was not only for the inquiry in
Pennsylvania and Illinois but in other
states as well.
Senator Norris expects efforts will
be made to block the resolution in the
Senate.
Cabinet Considers Replies tf
Germany and England With
Regard to Properly Re
specting “Old Glory.”
FIRM STAND IS EXPECTED
Two Norwegian Ships Sunk By
German Mines and Torpedoes
—Kaiser Stands By His
Blockade Attitude.
t DEVELOPMENTS IN |
X BLOCKADE DISPUTE X
UNITED STATES—The American
cabinet today Is considering the notes
of Germany and England. It is ex
pected that a reply will be sent to
Germany insisting that all ships flying
the United States flag be fully identi
fied before being attacked. The govern
ment is willing to allow the Wilhelmina
case to be adjudicated in a prize court
to lay foundation for future proceed
ings of similar character. Further rep
resentations will be made concerning
the use of the stars and stripes by bel
ligerents.
GERMANY —The kaiser's government
is firm in its stand with reference to
enforcing the British blockade edict.
One neutral steamer, the Norwegian
ship, Belridgo, has already been tor
pedoed and the Norwegian ship Bjarka,
has been sunk by a mine.
ENGLAND—Great Britain maintains
the right of merchant vessels of bel
ligerents to fly neutral flags to escape
capture and insists that if German
submarines sink neutral vessels by
mistake such act will constitute piracy
for which the German government alone
can be held responsible by neutrals
thus affected.
London, Feb. 20.—The steamship
Cambank, from Cardiff, was tor
pedoed today off Almwych bay,
Wales, by a German submarine
without warning.
The third engineer and two
firemen of the Cambank were
killed and another member of the
crew was drowned while getting
into a boat. The remainder of the
crew was saved. The Cambank
had just taken aboard a pilot for
Liverpool.
Washington, D. C\, Feb. 20.—It is ex- ,
pected that the American government
will soon reply to the British and Ger- j
man notes relative to the use of the
American flag and the proper identifi
cation of neutral ships in the war zone
about the British isles.
It is believed that the government
will make further representations to
England concerning the danger to neu
trals through the use of their national
emblems and will insist that German
submarines fully identify vessels flying
the American flag before attacking
them.
Germany has insisted this will ba
impossible because of the danger sub
marines would encounter at the hands
of armed merchantmen of the enemy,
though they might be concealing their
identity under the stars and stripes.
Official texts of Germany’s reply to
the American note on the naval war
zone and Great Britain’s reply to the
American notes on the use of the
American flag and the Wilhelmina case
all arrived today at the state depart
ment.
The German reply, delivered by the
Berlin foreign office three days ago
to Ambassador Gerard, had been de
layed in transmission. It was at once
converted from the diplomatic code •
and sent to the White House to be laid
before the president, who, however,
had already been informed of its con
tents by Mr. Gerard and the unofficial
text published two days ago.
With the official text at hand, how
ever, the president and his advisers
will begin formal consideration of Ger
many’s reply to the warning of the
United States against destruction of
American ships or lives in the naval
war zone about the British isles. Gen
erally, the tone of the German note
has been regarded as friendly.
Great Britain’s reply to the represen
tations on the use of the American flag
bears upon the American view of the
German reply and the next step in the
negotiations with Berlin. In expecting
Germany to identify American ships
before attacking them by submarines,
the United States is anxious there shall
be no general use of the American flag
by foreign vessels.
The state department is willing to
let the Wilhelmina case be adjudicated
by a prize court, and thus lay the legal
foundation for other proceedings of a
like character.
Count Bernstorff. the German am
bassador. conferred at the state de
partment with Secretary Bryan and
Councillor Lansing. While neither the
ambassador nor the American officials
indicated the exact subject of tnelr
talk the ambassador said he desired to
emphasize the view of his government
that Germany was not to blame for the
present situation around the British
isles, causing dirricuity to neutral snip
ping. He reiterated his contention
that Great Britain was responsible. It
was said the ambassador presented no
new communications,
with general use of the flag by Brit
ish merchantmen and the British reply
explicitly states that the admiralty
had not advised any general use of the
flag and had not suggested its use by
the Lusitania.
The Britisli reply on the Wilhelmlna
case probably wil! stop further ex
changes until a prize court has acted.
The American note was based upon
the right of a neutral to ship food to
the civil population of a belligerent.
The British reply does not deny that,
but by making the point that all Ger
man males are practically part of the
German army has complexed the Is
sues and promises protracted negotia
tions.
As to the rejoinder the American
government might make to the Ger
man reply on the war zone, some of
ficials expect the state department will
content itself with the warning in the
original note to Germany, giving no
tice she will be held responsible for
injury to an American ship or Amer
ican lives.
Mushrooms, a world-wide product,
are as plentiful in Siberia as in thf
tropics.
O-U-O-O-O-W-W!
—From the Philadelphia Ledger.
ALLIED FLEET BOMBARDING
FORTS OF CONSTANTINOPLE
British Battleships and Cruisers, Supported By Strong French
Squadron and Aided By Ae roplanes, Battering Dardan
elles—Forts on European Side Silenced, Is Claim.
'
FLEEJNJERRDR
Activity of “Might Riders” In
Southeast Missouri Drives
Them Out—Sheriff Asks
Aid of Militia.
New Madrid, Mo„ Feb. 22.—As the
result of the warnings of "night riders”
that they must leave the district before
Tuesday morning, nearly 300 negroes
loft New Madrid county last night and
this morning. Possibly as many more
are preparing to depart before the time
limit expires. Thus far there has been
no violence.
The negroes, most of v^hom are em
ployed on farms in this county, will
be severely dealt with unless they ob%v,
the order announces, and it is expected
that much trouble will result. The
sheriff. M. J. Conran, has asked Gov
srnor Maior to send militia to help him
restore order.
The order for the negroes to leave
was not based on any specific objec
tionable act, it is said, but on ill-feeling
on the part of some whites who be
lieved negroes were doing work the
whites should have.
The trouble between the whites and
the negroes seems to have its origin in
the land rentals system.
Last December the white renters de
manded a reduction from J6 to $3 an
acre. The negroes were content to
continue paying $6 and when new rent
contracts were drawn up in January
more negroes than ever were given
places on the farms.
Discontent among the poor whites
then developed. The more prosperous
whites have condemned the raid.
Opposition has developed among the
land owners to the plan to send the
state militia here to preserve order.
“If the militia were to come,” said
M. J. Conran, a land owner, “the troops
would not know what men are making
ihe trouble. We know them and >. e
tnow how to deal with them. The
negro farmers of this county are law
ibiding and thrifty and are entitled to
protection.
-- • --
RESERVE BANK NOTES
BEING COUNTERFEITED
Washington. Feb. 20.—The first coun
terfeit of a federal reserve note has ap
peared. It is a $5 note of the Dallas
Federal Reserve bank, printed from
poorly executed etched plates, the se
cret service says, on two pieces of pa
per, with silk threads between. The
note is a quarter of an inch shorter
than the genuine note and. Chief Flvnn
says, is such a poor piece of work ftiat
It should be readily detected.
DISABLED LINER IS
LASHED BY HIGH GALE
Norfolk, Va., Feb. 20.—The coast
tuard cutter. Onondaga, which left hero
yesterday to assist the United Fruit
steamer. Santa Marta, disabled with
’reight and passengers off Hatterss,
■eported today she had been stopped by
i gale 45 miles from the distressed ship
rnd was waiting for the storm to sub
side before proceeding. Other coast
ituard shins in the vicinity are work
ing toward the liner. She has been re
ported tr. no imminent danger.
Athens, (via London), Feb. 22.—
It is reported here that the Anglo
French fleet destroyed Turkish
forts on the Asiatic side of the
Dardanelles during the bombard
ment this morning. The forts on the
European side subsequently were
attacked and are still firing.
A powder magazine on the Asia
tic side of the Dardanelles ex
ploded during the bombardment
by the allied fleets. The forts re
plied in a lively manner to the fire
of the warships, but without suc
cess.
London, Feb. 20.—In an attempt to
force the Dardanelles, the gate to
Constantinople, French and British
warships began a bombardment of the
Turkish fortifications yesterday, which
is being continued today. An allied
fleet has been at the entrance of the
Dardanelles for several months and re
ports from time to time indicated that
damage was done to some of the Turk
ish forts. An official statement, issued
in London today, says that aeroplanes
are co-operating with the warships in
the attacks, which had “considerable
effect.” The present movement evi
dently is the most formidable which
has been made in the effort to force a
way through the Dardanelles, beyond
which lies Constantiople.
The text of the official announcement
issued this afternoon by the British ad
miralty says:
“Yesterday morning at 8 o’clock a
British fleet of battleships and battle
cruisers, accompanied by flotillas and
aided by a strong French squadron, the
whole under the command of Vice Ad
miral Carden, began an attack upon the
forts at the entrance to the Darda
nelles.
“The forts of Cape Helles and Klim
Kale were bombarded with a deliberate,
long range fire. Considerable effect
was produced on two of the forts. Two
others were frequently hit, but being
open earthworks it was difficult to
estimate the damage. The forts being
outranged, were unable to reply to our
fire. At 2:45 o’clock In the after .10 »n
a portion of the battle ship force was
ordered to close in and engage the forts
at closer range with their secondary
armament.
“The forts on both sides of the en
trance then opened fire and were en
gno-ed at moderate ranges by the Ven
geance, Cornwallis. Triumph, Suffran
and Bouvet, supported by the Inflexible
and the Agamemnon at long range.
"The forts on the European side wore
apparently silenced. One fort on the
Asiatic slde*\vas still firing when the
operations were suspended, owing to
the failing light. No ships of the
allied fleet were hit.
"The action was renewed tills morn
ing after an aerial reconnaissance by
British aeroplanes. The ship, Ark
Royal, is In attendance with a number
of seaplanes and aeroplanes of the
naval wing.”
—♦—
THREE SHIPS DAMAGED,
CONSTANTINOPLE REPORTS
Amsterdam, (via London), Feb. 20.—
A dispatch from Constantinople gives
the following official statement, issued
by the Turkish war office:
"Early yesterday morning British
and French ships opened their bom
bardment of the outer forts on the
Dardanelles, firing 4f)0 shots without
much success. One soldier was slight
ly wounded by a fragment of stone.
"Eight armored Anglo-French ships
bombarded the other forts of the Dar
danelles for seven hours, without si
lencing them. The enemy fired shots
from guns of great caliber.
"Three hostile armored ships were
damaged. One of them, a flagship, was
damaged severely."
Another version of the Turkish re
port as received here from Constanti
nople, says that on the Turkish side
one man was killed and another slight
ly injured.
The hottest region on the earth ts
thought to be the part of Persia bor
dering on the Persian gulf, where there
Is u record of 100 degrees for 40 days.
IKON REPUBLIC
NEAR BANKRUPTS
_
Weighed Down By a Debt ol
$1,060,650,000 Only Stable
Government Can Save
Her From Ruin. <
Washington, Fob. 20. — All
the native Roman Catholic clergy
in Mexico City are being held for
$500,000 ransom, official advice
from diplomatists in the Mexican
capital received here today say, and
the only priests exempted are those
of foreign nationality, who have
been ordered to leave the country.
Mexico City, Feb. 22.—Four years o
revolutionary turmoil have wrouglv
disastrously upon Mexico's economic fa
bric arid reduced her financial affairs
to such a low ebb that unless immedi
ate remedial measures are adopted th<
republic cannot be saved from bank
ruptcy. Her national debt today stands
at $1,060,650,000.
The commencement of 1915 sees
Mexico’s finances in a state which
conservatively may be described as
deplorable. Nevertheless, competent
Judges hold to the opinion that it is
not too late to avert bankruptcy.
This opinion hinges largely upon the
prompt creation of conditions which
do not now exist in Mexico. Her fi
nancial salvation is predicated upon the
combining and harmonious working
of elements calculated to make for
radical improvement in the internal af
fairs of the republic—..olitical, com
mercial and financial.
Causes of Nation’s War.
Continuance of revolution, with the
inevitable paralysis of all productive
faculties which revolution brings, per
sistence in expenditures upon a lavish
scale for the pay and maintenance ol
men in the field; ill-considered and ad
ventitious financering, lax administra
tion of her available revenue, and inor
dinate Increase of expenditures conson
ant with the discouraging shrinkage
in national income, must spell ruin for
the country.
X UC1 c io i*v/ uuciuauvc, nave mui wi
fered by the speedy inauguration in
th.e ministry of finance of sound, con
servation, financial measures, coupled
with the establishment and continu
ance of a stable central government;
restoration of law and order; expert
administration in the collection and
disbursement of revenues; scientific
and equitable levying of taxes; a re
sumption of profitable activity In min
ing. agriculture, railway traffic, for
eign commerce and general trade; and
the return to their wonted avocations
of at least three-quarters of the 250,000
soldiers that are now warring and
wasting in various parts of the re
public.
These things done without dela>
should provide Mexico with a fail
chance of once more getting her finan
cial feet under her.
Besides her comparatively insignifi
cant national debt in 1911, Mexico hac
in her treasury, in cash, as a reserve
65,000,000 pesos, of which 43,000,001
were in gold.
Today her treasury is empty. She is
living from hand to mouth and is noi
paying her debts. Every peso that car
be raked and scraped is being throwr
into the insatiable maw of the revo
lution.
Mexico's armies constitute the great
est millstone of the many with whict
the new year finds the national neck
burdened. Conservative estimates placi
the number of men now under arms ir
the republic—counting all factions, bis
and little—at 250,000.
Directly, or indirectly, in cash oi
kind, these men are drawing in pay
from the country an average of al
least 2 pesos a day each, officers anc
privates. This represents their pa>
alone, with no allowance for the cosl
of the food they eat, the clothes the>
wear, the arms they bear, the am
muitlon they expend or what is
wasted or spoiled.
Today the pay of her armies
amounts to nearly as much again sis
her total expenses came to thret
years ago. Meanwhile her revenues
have dwindled by two-thirds at least
What is the answer'*
f CHANGING THE DIET $
l OF THE CHINESE *
Washington, D. C., Special.—Ameri
cans who have been Influenced by the
orient to the extent of taking their tea
clear, without milk or sugar, will be
astonished to learn that the Occident is
now bent on teaching tha Chinese to
use milk with, their decoction of tea
leaves—and condensed milk at that. An
enterprising condensed milk company
Is pushing the campaign and expects to
be successful. This concern has al
ready Introduced condensed milk Ice
cream to the Chinese and they like It so
well that many of the restaurants keep
It always on hand. Practically no fresh
milk is to be had In China, although the
natives seem familiar enough with the
virtues of both the fresh and condensed
article. Perhaps after all the orientals
have taken their tea clear because there
was no milk to put In It and not bo
cause they thought the addition of milk
ruined tho beverage.
Canned salmon Is another western
staple that has made a decided impres
sion on the far east, according to a
report entitled “Canned Goods Trade
In the Par East,’’ special agents’ se
ries, No. 92. written by Commercial
Agent J. Alexis Shriver and published
by the bureau of foreign and domestic
commerce. The report contains many
Interesting facts about the home life of
the Chinese. Japanese. Malays, etc., and
many valuable suggestions for canners
who are considering the feasibility of
selling goods on the other side of tho
Pacific. Copies may be had for 10 cents
each from the superintendent of docu
ments, government printing office
Washington.
GOVERNOR TO BE REAL
AGRICULTURAL FRESHMAN
From the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Two weeks ago William T. Haines,,
of Watervllle was governor of Maine.
Now William T. Haines, is a freshman
In the agricultural department of the
University of Molne.
Before his fellow citizens called upon
Haines, of Watervllle, to be their gov
ernor he was a lawyer-farmer. That Is
to say, he had studied and prepared
for the law, had found It not to his
; liking, and had gone back to the soil
' tor a living.
Mr. Haines had spent many years
preparing for his legal career. He had
spent none at all preparing to be an
agriculturist. He merely made the
shift over night, as one might arbitrar
ily shift from an habitual bacon Ereak
fast to one of soft boiled eggs.
But after he had mad.e the shift Mr.
Haines discovered that there were
many things about farming which he
did not altogether comprehend. He
even doubted the Infallible wisdom of
tlw? old line cultivators of the soil who
surrounded him. lie desired to learn.
If a dozen years could be spared for
preparation In the law surely a few
months could be profitably spent In ag
i rlcultural training. '
Such, at least, Is the opinion of
Haines, of Watervllle. 'Having com
pleted a successful term as governor
of Maine he sets out to atone for his
deficiencies. There Is much that Is ad
mirable In the example of the governor
freshman.
Coast Dafanae Guns Inferior.
From the World's Work.
In the United States there Is not In ex
atence today a single heavy field mortar
»f the type playing such a conspicuous
part in the present campaigns in Europe,
we have not even adopted a type for such
ft- mortar, although the ordnance depart
ment has had the subject under conald
•ratlon for years. The policy has been
. rather like that followed in the case of
the 16-lnch coast defense gun, which was
rompleted in the late '90s, test fired in
1903, and lay on the beach at Sandy Hook
unprovided with a carriage, without even
ft design for a carriage, until 1912.
And yet It Is In coast artillery that we
are best prepared—If one may use the
expression where there is so little prepar
ation of any kind—but even this force has
behind it a small and entirely adequate
reserve of coast artillery militia. The
regular force Itself has been considerately
reduced by transfer of organization to
the Philippines. Hawaii and Panama.
In coast artillery, as well as in field
guns, we are without sufficient ammuni
tion. It would be necessary to ship some
of our 50 batteries from coast to coast in
case of serious operations on either ocean,
and even when the guns have been trans
ported. and ammunition has been provid
ed, most of our coast armament is actually
Inferior in range and power to the arma
ment which can be brought against it by
modern ships of war.
What Ship Subsidy Means.
From the New York World.
For 50 years American capital has stead
fastly refused to operate ships under the
American flag. In the midst of a great
world war we are without a merchant
marine. The World can see no way of
dealing with this situation except by gov
ernment action, nor does the Sun. The
difference between us is that the Sun
thinks the government should subsidize
private effort, and we think that if pub
lic money must be used to establish the
beginnings of a merchant marine, the gov
ernment should own and operate the
ships itself.
We regard a sudsldy as more pernlcloua
and demoralizing than government owner
ship and operation. It is a more sinister
form of socialism, because it spells lob
bies. waste and scandal, and is centered
in Irresponsibility. It debauches political
parties, it corrupts political campaigns and
It demoralizes government. It is a cancer
In the breast of the body politic.
We believe in private ownership when
ever we can get it. We believe in public
ownership only when private ownership le
inadequate. But we never believe in pri
vate ownerslilp subsidized by government
money. This is the worst evil of all. and
that is why The World supports this bill
as against the sordid ship subsidy schema
Desert Invocation.
Descend, Great Spirit, now thou see'st our
dire distress!
The desert sun does not burn down more
pitiless
Than burns the white man's rancor to
ward our wasted race.
Their leaguing lies rise like foul sraokd
before thy face.
Descend! Descend!
—Frances B. Huntington In Century.
♦♦♦♦♦♦*++++++♦♦♦
4 WAR OPENED EYES OF -4
4 ENGLISH WOMANHOOD 4
From the London Telegraph.
One result of the war that was cer
tainly not foreseen six months ago la
the realization by women of their own
shortcomings as soon as really prac
tical work was called for. So many
had taken up "causes” of one sort or
another; had attended all the meet
ings they could crowd Into the week;
had belonged to committees, and had
been fussily preoccupied In a score of
directions, that It seemed to them that
such Interests were the essentials of
life. To numbers the awakening of
those first weeks In August was a bit
ter disappointment. That It was mort
useful to be able to knit a pair of socka
than to formulate a bylaw for an un
necessary society, or to cut out shirta
for a sewing party than to make a
speech on some grievance, created a,
new and surprising scale of propor
tions