Nebraska Newspapers

    rl
RED CLOUD, NEBRASKA, CHIEF
it
fit
LINER
TO ITS GRAVE
TORPEDOED BY GERMAN
SUBMARINES
OVER ONE THOUSAND PASSEN.
QER8 ARE LOST.
WITHIN 12 MILES OF COAST
Confdslon of Details of Subsequent
Event from Survivors Still
Based on Awful Expe
rience at Sea.
1mdon. A dispatch to tho Ex
change Tclcgrapn cumpnny from Liv
erpool says the olllclnl list of tho sur
vivors or tho Lusltnnln IiicIikIch the
names of 487 passengers and 274 crow.
Now York. Before giving Its Intent
advices from Liverpool on tho number
of victims of the Lusltanla, tho Cunurd
company IsBiied n revised list of hup
Ivors, which, however, contained only
few uddltlons.
President Wilson Meditates.
Washington, D, C What action
the United States government will
take an a result of the sinking of tho
British liner Lusltnnln with a Iobs of
more than a hundred American lives
Is an undetermined question.
President Wilson in studying every
aspect of the case. Until all the of
flclal roports are received from Am
basiadors Gerard and Page at Berlin
and London, respectively, It la not ex
pected that any action will be taken.
On the questions of law Involved
In the sinking of tho Lusltnnln, the
Washington government long ago
stated Uh position to Germany. Law
officers of the government were
unanimous on their opinion, shared by
tho president, that thero Is no war
rant under law or reason for tho de
struction of tho unarmed merchant
hip even of an enemy -without warn
ing the passengers nt the time the
ship is encountered, nnd transferring
non-combatants to a place of safety.
Women and Children Jump Overboard.
London. Dr. Carl E. Fobs of Mon
tana, who leaped Into the sea when
the Lusltanla was going down and
was picked up by a boat, said ho saw
women and children jumping over
koard from the stricken steamer. He
rescued a number of them, Dr. Foss
declared, and revived many.
"An hour before the catastrophe I
was on deck. I noticed that the ship
was being swung about and saw
something about n quarter of a mile
distant which looked like a subma
rine. We were going slowly. It is my
Impression that two or more subma
rines attacked the Lusltanla."
Lifeboats Not Well Manned.
London. Tho stories of lifeboat in
adequacy grow ns tho passengers are
able to tako a cooler view of the dis
aster. A number of tho survivors
maintain that only five out of the
thirty-four lifeboats which wcro swung
out wero successfully launched. Oth
t ers assert that a genornl order for low
ering tho boats was not given until
the second torpedo struck. The Amer
ican survivors havo taken no action
nnd hnvo no protest In nny form be
yond supplying tho American consul
with n few affidavits embodying their
experiences.
Thought Boat Would Float.
Queenstown. The heavy loss of life
on tho Lusltnnln wns due, In the belief
of rescued passengors, to tho fnct that
8omo officers nt least reassured them
after the first torpedo struck thnt the
Lusltanla would remain afloat, and
could mako Queenstown Prepara
tions. It Is true, were mnde to launch
the boats, but before this could bo
done a socond torpedo hit the Btennier
and she listed so bndly thnt the crew
could only work tho boats on one side
of the ship.
Washington, n C If tho German
government, ns not n few diplomatists
and officials fear, is anxious to draw
the United Stntes Into the European
conflict in tho hopo that defense at
homo will reduce tho supply of arms
to the allies, some officials believe the
situation must bo considered In tho
light of other possibilities nnd Inci
dents In the future which might bo
calculated to aggravato public feeling
in tho United States.
Tho opinion prevails that tho presi
dent Is confronted with tho most seri
ous problem of his career.
Rivals the Titanic.
Liverpool. Scenes reminiscent of
the Titanic and Empress or Ireland
disasters were to bo witnessed In Liv
erpool, where a largo crowd, chiefly
women, relatives of tho crew or tho
Lusltanla, gathered outside the Cun
nrd office nwnltlng news or their men.
Llttlo was avallnble, howovor, but the
people remained cnlm, although tho
strain wns terrible,
"Thoro was only flfteon mlnuOcs
from tho tlmo tho ship wns struck
until she foundered, going down bow
foremost. It was a dreadful sight."
CABIN STEWARDS STORY.
Three Torpedoes Fired and Find Tar
get Without Moment's Warning.
Quecnstown. A cabin stownrd of
tho Lusltanla gave the following ac
count of the sinking of the csnul:
"The passengers, a largo number of
whom were seriously Injured by tho
explosion of tho torpedoes and by
splinters from the wreckage, were nil
nt luncheon. The weather wup beau
tifully clear and calm We wcro go
ing nt nbout sixteen knots nnd were
seven or eight miles south of Galley
Head when wo were struck by one
torpedo nnd In n minute or two after
ward by two more.
"The first explosion staggered us
nnd the other finished us, shattering
the gigantic ship. The Lusltanla dis
appeared In twenty minutes after tho
first torpedo struck.
"Tho passengers were surprisingly
cool.
"Nearly nil the flrnt-clnss passen
gers were drowned. Most of thoso
snved were second nnd third-class
pnssengers.
"We did not got a moment's notice
from the submarine. It nppeared sud
denly nhovo the surface on our star
board bow and discharged a torpedo
nt us. Tho submarine disappeared as
suddenly ns It came Into view."
Seem to Hope for Worst.
London. Tho question asked In al
most every English newspaper editori
ally Is, "What will America do now?"
The Times says: "We shnll say
nothing which may seem to Intensify
the heavy nnd perplexing responsibil
ity resting upon President Wilson nnd
his colleagues. No attempt at direct
action, should such a course be con
sidered, could have any very material
effect on the situation."
Proceeding to point out the various
reasons why the United States In little
likely to hold Germany to a "strict ac
countability," tho Times snyB:
"Wo do not press tho point, but
venture to suggest that thero may
como a stage In the relations between
the states when the maintenance of
diplomatic Intercourse may imply con
donation of unwarrantable crimes."
HESITATION WAS FATAL.
Captain Turner Said Ship Would Float
and Ordered Boats Kept In Davits.
Quecnstown. "Captain Turner,
after the first torpedo was fired and
following an examination, declared
that the lifeboats should not be low
ered ns the ship was In a condition to
make tho Irish coast." This statement
was made fcy James J. Leary of Brook
lyn, who declares ho was standing
near the ladder leading to the bridge
and henrd the captain say that his
ship was not mortally hurt
"Captain Turner had barely finished
speaking when a second explosion
was heard. Within fifteen minutes I
was in the sea, fighting to keep my
head above the water."
Took Regular Route.
Queenstown. This city is almost as
much dazed by the tragedy as thoso
aboard the Lusltanla. Tho question
on every lip Is: "Why did Captain
Turner pursue the usual well-known
Cunnrd lino course so close to the
Irish coast at medium speed, and why
was not the big liner convoyed?"
Several naval officers here state
that the Lusltanla received wireless
ordors to tako a course In the middle
channel, but the ship's wlrelesH oper
ator declines to say whether ho re
ceived such orders, or If they declined
to heed them.
Were Powerful Submarines.
Queenstown. Passengers sny that
for some time before tho first torpedo
wns fired tho Lusltanla had altered
her courso nnd thoy ascribed this to
tho fact that ono of the German sub
marines had shown herself, sending
tho big liner In the direction where
other underwnter crafts wero waiting
to strike their deadly torpedoes us
soon ns tho opportunity was presented.
These submarines, naval experts be
lieve, are of the latest typo, of prob
ably 1.4C0 tons and much more power
ful than any possessed by other
navies.
Paris. Tho Petit Parlslen says It
has been Informed the government
will Introduce a bill prohlhtlng abso
lutely tho manufacture, sale nnd
transport of all alcoholic drinks dur
ing the progress of the war. Even bev
erages containing a slight proportion
or alcohol, it Is understood, will bo
prohibited.
Other Liners to Be Sunk.
Cleveland. Ohio. Dr. Bernard Don
burg, former German colonial secre
tary and unofficial spokesman of tho
kaiser in America, hns sounded a
warning that other British ships en
route to England nre to suffer tho
same fate as tho Lusltauln
When told that the Transylvania,
another Cunurd liner, sailed from New
York Friday night, to covor tho same
route, Dr. Dunburg said:
"I can only say that the German
warnings will reappear henceforth by
advertisement. That Is significant."
New York. Insurance on the Lusl
tanla, It Is siild, amounts to $7,300,000.
Tho vessel was valued, In round fig
ures, nt $10,000,000. Tho worth or tho
cargo sho carried was reckoned at
$735,000.
On the amount or Insurance carried,
it is understood the lino paid a pre
mium or 3 por cent nnd a special wnr
risk premium or Hi per cent for each
trip.
It Is understood tho lino carried
one-thlid of tho Insurnnco tho re
mainder being divided among Lloyds
and other underwriters.
ENGAGED
(CopyriKlit.i
STRUGGLED LIKE FLIES.
Many Children Among Those Who
Perished.
London. G. I). Lane, who wns re
turning to Wales trom New York was
In a lifeboat which capsized as the
Lusltanla heeled over.
"I was on tho 'B deck," he said,
when I saw the wako or the torpedo.
I hardly realized what it meant when
the big ship seemed to stagger and
almost Immediately listed to star
board. I rushed to get a lire belt, but
stopped to help get my children on the
boat deck.
"Tho second cabin wns a veritable
nursery. Many youngsters must have
drowned, but I had the satisfaction of
seeing one boat get away tilled with
women nnd children.
"Wo witnessed the most horrible
scene It Is possible to Imagine. When
tho Lusltanla had turned almost ovor,
she suddenly plunged bow foremost
Into the water, leaving her stern high
In tho air. People on the aft deck
were fighting with wild desperation to
retain n footing on the nlmost per
pendicular deck while they fell over
the slippery stern like crippled flics.
"Their cries nnd shrieks could bo
heard above tho hiss of escaping
steam and the crush or bursting bolt
ers. Then the water mercifully closed
over them., nnd the bl; liner disap
peared, leaving scarcely a ripple be
hind her."
Followed Rule of Sea.
Queenstown. Tho rule of the sen.
"Women and children first." seems to
have been followed In the first of the
boats Inunched. But many off tho
boats went overside with only a few
in them, and when they were cut loose
in the water it was men that they
picked up, as thero were few women
sturdy enough to Bwlm In the cold
water In which they were Immersed
when the Lusltanla went to the bot
tom. Captain Turner, officials say, was
still at his post on tho bridge when
tho vessel took her final plunge.
Story of a Rescuer.
Queenstown Captain David Murphy
of the trawler Storm Cock was the
first on tho sceno with n rescue boat.
Ills story was as follows:
"First or all I gathered in a lire
boat or fifty-two persons, most of them
women nnd children, nnd before I
completed my lond I had twenty
blessed youngsters nboard the old
Storm Cock. Several of them were
without their mothers, but all wero
tnken In charge hoforo we reached
harbor by kindly women who rorgot
their own sorrows In ministering to
others."
No Nebraskans on Board.
Lincoln. There were no Nebraska
passengers on the Lusltnnln this trip,
stenmshlp agents say they are qulto
certain. They ndd that travel on this
trip wns composed of relatives of
wounded or killed British going to
look nrter them or their estates and
or business men Interested in supplies
to the allies.
1,310 on Board.
Now York. When tho Lusltnnln
sailed she had on board 1,310 passen
gers, among them several prominent
.Americans.
Urges Better Business Methods.
Mndlson. Wis. William H. Tnft
rormcrly president or tho United
States, In tho first or a series or lec
tures nt tho University or Wisconsin,
urging better business principles In
tho operation or tho federal govern
ment, said: "Tho nation hns como to
tho limit or its taxable resources, more
efficient methods or administration nre
necessary to conservo national funds."
Ho advocated, among other things,
the granting to the president or more
Initiative in legislation.
National Meeting of Y. W. C. A.
Los Angeles. Cal. Tho Young Wo
men's Christian Association Is piopar
ing ror an effort to supplant with
morally uplifting urtlcles tho love ana
beauty that are featured on tho wo
man's page of ninny dally papors, ac
cording to the nnnunl report of tho na
ttonnl board at tho association's fifth
national convention, which began a
week's session hore Wednesday.
"Lovo stuff," Mrs. Morris declared,
"was detrimental to tho character of
tho femlnlno readors of nowspapcrs
and unfit ror yowg girls to read."
NO ABATEMENT IN INTEREST
ADHERES TO THE POLICY OF THE
OPEN DOOR.
Not Disposed to Interpose in the
Chinese-Japanese Row, but Will
Insist on Preserving
Rights.
Wnshlngton. The silence which has
been consistently malntnlnel by the
United States with reference to the
Japanese-Chinese negotiations since
they began nearly rour months ago,
has been broken by the Issuance or a
statement by Secretary Bryan explain
ing the position or the American gov
ernment. The statement was prepared
after consultation with Provident Wil
son. While press reports had told of
Japan's decision to send an ultima
tum to China, no official Information
had been received to confirm this.
The American government, In Its
pronouncement. In efTect reiterates Its
adherence of the open door policy and
maintenance of territorial integrity of
China, and points out thnt there has
been "no abntemont of Its interest in
tho welfare and progress of China."
Tho "solo Interest" of the United
States Is declared to bo that the ne
gotiations between Japan and China
"may bo concluded In a manner satis
factory to both nations." and vmib con
tribute to "the peace of the world."
The statement wns Interpreted in
some quarters as meaning that while
no tender or good offices would be
made by the Washington government,
tho services of tho United Stntes wero
at tho disposal of both countries
should they desire the assistance of
any third power to bring about a dip
lomatic settlement of the questions at
issue.
Cowboy Mayor Warns Crooks.
Chicago, 111. Mayor William Hale
Thompson In addressing members or
the Chicago Association or Commerce
declared that he and Chler or Police
Ilealey had recently received numer
ous anonymous letters threatening
their lives because ot tho administra
tion's crusade to drive criminals from
tho city.
"My nnswer to these would-be trou
ble mnkers wb,o threaten my personal
safety Is that Bill Thompson is an ex
cowhoy." said the mayor. "I havo
mixed and lived with gunmen or the
west and I know how to be quick on
the trigger. If these crooks don't get
me quick ns n flnsh they are taking an
awrul chance."
Liberty Bell Will Stop at Lincoln.
Philadelphia, Pa. The Liberty bell
will bo exhibited In Lincoln on Its out
going trip, according to olllclnl an
nouncement mndo here. It Is under
stood that strong pressure wns brought
to bear to bring about this result, with
Secretary Bryan at tho oid or tho
valve
Six and Five Elope.
Chicago. Her curly head full of
Grimm's miry stories, Florence Dunck
ley, five, occupied six year old Jimmy
Chnffee's suggestion to elope. Thoy
wero found ten hour Inter looking for
a parson.
Ix)8 Angeles, Cnl. By education In
domestic economy tho Young Women's
Christian association In national ses
sion hero hope to eliminate these ser
vant problems, according to Miss Eliz
abeth Dodge of New York, who road
tho report of the domestic service
commission. Thcjilnn Is to eliminate
the servant problem by eliminating the
sorvnnt and supplying In her stead nn
educated domestic scientist.
"Thero Is no reason why our groat
force of domestic workers should not
bo ns hnppy ns other girls," Miss
Dodge said.
Appeal to United States.
Wnshlngton An appeal by Christian
Chinese students nnd business men In
the United Stntes for moral support
ror China In tho present crisis has
boon received nt the Whlto house and
transmitted to tho state department.
It was signed by twelve Christian Chi
noso or Now York, Philadelphia and
Chicago and was addressed ub well to
loading religious bodies In America.
Tho appeal argues that public
opinion In tho United States alono can
help China In her present situation.
CONDENSED NEWS
OF INTEREST TO ALL.
Gngo county formers have begun
to plant corn.
Central City will have a rast ama
teur ball team this season.
Interstate pussenger rate ense Is to
bo hold In Chicago, June 9.
Miss May Sheldton was crowned
Mny queen at Hustings college.
William Nnpcr, 91, oldest resident
or Mason City, died at Hastings.
Mayor Allen C. Fisher or Chadron
wants state to test 200 cattle there.
L- O. Armstrong hns decided to
erect a two-story brick building at
Alnsworth.
Dr. A. C. McKim or Norfolk has
been appointed assistant statu veter
inarian. Despondent over 111 health. Carl
Peters, a Fremont carpenter, com
mitted suicide.
The Fleso Motor company Is erect
ing a large cement block parage at
West Point.
Tho date for the Nebraska Seed
association meet nt West Point Is
July 7, 8 nnd 9.
Fruit giowers In the vicinity of
Brownvlllo are arranging to hold a
strawberry carnival.
Ah n result of the recent election
seven snloons In Kearney have closed
for at lonBt ono year.
Tho Potash Products company, lo
cated near Alliance, will open for
business about June 1.
During April, 0,5(71 motor vehlclo
licenses were applied for ot the office
of the secretary of state.
Warden Fenton announced that tho
new baseball grounds nt the penlten
tlarv has been completed,
Tho Beatrice Commercial club Is
backing n movement to secure a new
county Jail for Gage county.
A. R, Olson of Wlsner Iiub been
appointed Judge or the district court
In the Ninth Ji""-'nl district.
A poultry department has been es
tablished at the College or Agricul
ture, University Farm. Lincoln.
The Omaha Commercial dub has
started a movement to establish a
public hay market In that city.
Omaha, Lincoln nnd Beatrice In
tcrurban railway have renewed their
application for reduced tax assess
ment. A now nrsenal building for the na-
tlonnl guard Is to be erected on tho
state rnlr grounds at Lincoln, to
cost $3,500.
The date of tho next race meet
nt West Point, under the auspices of
tho Nebraska speed association, has
been set for July 7, 8 and 9.
United Stntes Senator G. M. Hitch
cock has accepted an Invitation to
deliver on oration at the Fourth of
July celebration at Hastings.
The third annual Beef Producers'
meeting will be held at the College of
Agriculture nnd Experiment Stntlon
farm. Lincoln, May 19.
Tho population of Hastings wns tem
porarily depleted by more than 800
when 101 families departed for tho
beet fields of Colorado.
Small town commercial clubs aro
growing raster than clubs In larger
towns, according to experts at tho
State Association or Commercial
clubs, meeting In Lincoln.
Tho town or Alliance took a day
off to celebrate the opening or Its
now park. School wns dismissed and
all stores were closed. It Is plnnnpd
to mako tho new park one of tho
finest In the state.
Wireless messages were sent nnd
received by high school hoya nt North
Plntto with nppnratus they had con
structed ror the benefit or tho vis
itors nt the school patrons' meeting
held In thnt plnco recently.
Incensed residents or Hustings dis
miss chnrge against seven boys when
they ngreed to share In expense or
scouring the high school nrter having
contaminated it with asaretlda fumes
during a public meeting.
Chnrles W. Bryan will be the next
mayor or Lincoln, having been se
lected as one or the five members or
tho cjty commission nt the municipal
election Inst week. Tho proposition
or Sunday theaters wns defeated by
n decisive vote.
H. G. Hollenslck, cnshler of tho
Harvard State bank, has filed articles
of Incorporation of the Harvard
Union Elevator company, with tho
secretary of stnte. Tho company hns
a capital of $25,000 and Ib backed by
the Farmers' union.
Twenty-five thousand maps or tho
two through routes by way or Omaha
from Chicago to tho Pnnnma exposi
tion nro being prepared by tho
Omnha Automobile club ror distribu
tion in tho east nmong auto tourists
who plan to visit tho west thlH sum
mer .
The organization or nn nmateur
bnse bnll league In Phelps county
consisting or Elwood, Bertram!,
Loomls nnd Holdrego hnB been com
pleted. Ench tenm will piny two
gnmes n week, tho schedulo being ar
range to nllow ono at homo and tho
othor abroad.
Tho atato of Nebraska will claim
tho estate of Georgo McCloud, Mc
pherson county recluse, who died re
cently, leaving unclaimed property
valued at $10,000.
John Josoph was sovoroly Injured
in nn automobllo accident near Wn
hoo when a dog ran In front or tho
enr upsetting it and throwing the oc
cupants out.
Mrs. Ollvo B. Truo has complicated
tnattors In tho raco for tho nppolnt
ment of postmaster at Falrbury by
circulating a potliton to securo tho
place herself.
STATE CROPS GOOD
WINTER WHEAT AND ALFALFA,
ESPECIALLY PROMISING.
GRASS MAKES GREAT GROWTH
Heavy Snows During Past Winter
Has Wet Ground Deeper Than
For Several Years.
Lincoln. Nibrnska crops and soil
conditions woie reported to bo excel
lent in thu state board of agricul
ture's bulletin, Just ibsticd. Winter
wheat nnd alfalfa uro especially prom
ising, according to nil icports reach
ing thu state board from various sec
tions of the state. Tho survey foU
lows:
"Tho gteat amount of snow during
the past winter, covering the ground
continuously for a period extending
fiom the middlo or December to the
latter part or March over the greater
tart or tho state, provented frost
from penetrating but slightly Into
the ground and permitted nearly all
or the melted snow to bo absorbed.
The ground 1b wet down to a greater
depth than for several years past,
therefore, a very llttlo moisture is
needed for finishing tho grain crop,
providing it cornea at a seasonable
time.
"From reports received, winter
vheat is in excellent condition, the
growth being further advanced and
heavier than last year, when tho rec
ord crop of tho state was gathered.
From every section of tho state the
most ravorablo reports havo keen re
ceived. "Tho backward spring and wet
fields havo prevented early sowing
of oats. On some high ground sow
ing was dono ns enrly as the middle
or April, but a greater part of the
crop was put In from tho 20th to the
last of the month. Tho early sown
is showing thiough tho ground nicely,
ns tho condition of tho soil la favor
able to quick growth.
"Never In the history of the plant
hns alfalfa shown up to better ad
vantage than nt this tlmo.
"Grass has made a wonderful
growth in the past two weeks. Stock
men hail this fact with delight after
a three months' period or reeding,
bomething nlmost unknown hereto
fore In Nobrnska. Tho long period
or feeding taxed tho farmers to the
utmost, as they havo not been in tho
habit of making such preparations:
therefore, tho stock camo through la
poorer condition than Is customary."
Sanitary Survey of the State.
Proposal to mako an extenslvo and
thorough sanitary Burvoy of tho state
Iiob been made by tho board of sec
retaries or tho state board or health.
The probability is, according to board
membrs, that the step cannot be ta
ken at tho present tlmo because ot
the lack of funds. That, however, is
not expected to bo a bar for many
years. Tho plan of tho secretaries l
to have a survey similar to tho Dow
ling survey, which so startled tho In
habitants of Louisiana two or throo
years ago. Sanitary trains will be
run Trom town to town and the trav
eling corps will visit each placo and
do the work entirely at first hand.
Stores, residences, municipal water
plants nnd gnrbago disposal concerns
will come In for attention. Lectures
on public health and demonstrations
along the same lino would bo giver
at all towns visited.
Farmers May Choose Speakers.
Polntfl desiring agricultural short
courses tho coming fnll and winter
will hnvo tho opportunity of choos
ing lecturers and demonstrations on
tho particular subjects they wish,
providing they do not inclndo sub
jects from moro than three depart
ments nt the University Farm. Tho
Bchedulo for tho season is being rap
Idly made up by tho Extension Sorv
ico of the College of Agriculture.
Fair Board Orders Improvements.
Tho board of managers of tho stnto
fnlr havo authorized somo general
repair work on tho hog- barns and
other buildings, tho repainting of the
big grandstand nnd tho filling In of
the old creok bed Hhnt runs through
tho southwest part of tho grounds.
Olson Appointed New Judge.
A. R. Olson of Wlsner hns ben ap
pointed Judge of tho Ninth Judicial
district, tho Inst legislature provid
ing for nn additional Judgo by taking
Cuming nnd Stanton countlos from
tho Eighth district and adding them
to tho Ninth.
Commander-in-Chief to Speak.
Commander-in-chief David J. Pal
mor of Wnshlngton, In., will spoak
Mny 18, nt tho thirty-ninth annual en
campment of tho O. A. R. of Nebras
ka to bo held at Mlndon.
School Increasing Acre Yield.
Tho unlvrsity school of agriculture
has increased tho yield of tho avor
ago ncro of Nebraska corn by about
eighteen bushels, according to Dean
E. A. Burnett of tho school. Tho
state has been divided into six zones
and tho farmers shown that each
ono of thoso zones, differing In Its
conditions, will best grow certain
kinds of corn. Tho state Is also con
ducting important work In tho pre
vention of hog cholera, according to
Dean Burnett
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