Omaha Daily
Bee.
The Sunday Bee is the only
THE WEATHER.
Fair
Omaha newspaper that
I
fives its readers four big
pctfes of colored comics.
I
VOL. XLV NO. 211.
OMAHA, SATURDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY V. 1PKV-NIXTEEN PAGES.
Om Tralae, at Set!
attends, rte., s.
SINGLE COPY TWO CENTS.
1HE
OKLAHOMA HOUSE
FLOOR SCENE OF
PITCHED BATTLE
Democrat! and Republicans Mass in
. Fig-hting Array While Ink Bot
tles, Paper Weights and
Fixtures Fly.
0. 0. P. VISITOR HIT SESSELESS
Trouble Starts When Lie is Passed
as Members Vote on "Grand
father Clause."
"COME ON!" 18 THE CHALLENGE
, OKLAHOMA CITY, Feb. 18.
Tumultuout scenes occurri in the
Oklahoma house of representatives
late today, while the members were
rotlng on a section of an election
law designed to take the place of
the famous "grandfather law," which
was recently declared unconstitu
tional by the United States supreme
court, because in effect It disenfran
chised the negro population of the
state.
Partisan feeling over the new
measure finally culmlnatr1 In an
outbreak, precipitated by charges of
corruption and the passing of the
lie between members, during whlch
Ink bottles, paper weights and other
fixtures of the members' desks were
used as weapons, and a set battle
seemed Inevitable as democrats
mass, and advanced toward the re
publicans and socialists.
Mm War o Treat VUltor.
Arthur H. Geissler, chairman of
the republican state central com-
-TV1 It A A
Ittee, was knocked down and ren-
dared
unconsclous by Representative
T. E. Bryant of Big Heart,
county.
7xris
Osage
The proposed law In the product of a
de
mocratto caucus. It had passed the
senate and was up for final passage In
the house late today, with republican
and socialist members ottering- vigorous
opposition. Geissler was on the floor
through the courtesy of a visitor's per
mit issued him a republican state
chairman.
Representative Paul Nesbttt, democrat,
of Pittsburgh, had voted In favor of the
proposed law,, and as he announced hla
vote Representative Sams, republican,
taunted Nesbltt with being "unfair" to
republicans. Nesbltt replied that he was
-Md In a section where the republicans
had overridden him with corrupt P i' no
tices, and mat he bud no desire to be
fair to republicans.
"3"hey probably toek you for the crook
that you are," shouted Sams. I
- , . - . i . - .
. Hejre Comes "the Lie."
If .yeu make that charge you .are a
liar," replied Nesbltt
Bams arose In his seat, and shouted
toward the democratic side of the house
"Come on." . in an Instant every demo
crat and republican member ef the house
was on his feet. - Ink bottles and paper
weights were fired back and forth be
tween the' belligerent. The democ ratio
members advanced through the aisles
toward the republican members and
speaker of the house A. C MoCrorey
left hla chair and rushed out of the legiS'
latlve halls. The democrat greatly cut
numbered the republican combatants and
after the harmless volley of books had
been thrown, the melee died out of Its
oifn accord.
Representative Tom Hensley, democrat.
went 'to the "side line" and was engaged
in conversation with Oetsaler. When
Hensley walked away Bryant stepped
up to eGisaler and said:
"What right have you to be talking to
a representative on the floor of the
house T'
Knocked raeoaoeloos.
Geissler replied: "Beg pardon, what
is your name," whereupon ' Bryant hit
Geissler In the face, according to wit
nesses, knocking htm to the floor and
rendering him unconscious for a few
minutes.
The Weather
Forecast till 7 n. m. Sat'irday:
For Omaha, Council Rluffa and Vicinity
fair; not mucn change in temperature.
Tempera t are at Omaha Yeatrj-dar
Hour. De
li a. m XI
a. m 9)
7 a. m
S a. m 30
a. m 31
10 a. in 32
It a. m M
12 in 36
1 p. m 37
1 p. m U8
3 p. ni 39
4 p. m 41
i p. m 42
p. m 41
7 p. m 31
t p. m St
Comparatlva Loeal Heeord.
1. 1515. 114. 1913.
liUhest yesterday..
I -o west yesterday...
Mean temperature..
frecipltatiun
Temperature and
43 45
61
3s
86 42
.(10 .(A
3n
: &fl
.x .to
depar
precipitation
tures from the nurmui:
Normal temnerMure 14
Kxcess for the day 11
Total deficiency since March 1 Z7V
Normal precipitation "1 Inch
Iefclency for the day 0! inch
Tnml rainfall sm,- iar h 1. .2t.M Inches
leflclency since March 1 7 Inch
I ef icteuoy for cor. period. 1C14. 1 46 Inches
Ueficlency for cor. period. li13. S i inches
Hrporta from Statlwiaa at T I. M.
Station and State Temp. High- Itain-
or earner. i p. ni.
eat tail.
M .00
32 .)
M AO
34 .Oi
M .W
4.' .
it .
43 .no
64
M .()
44 .Ol
M .
42 .(!
H .04
Forecaater.
Cheyenne, clvar.
Davenport, clear
1 nviT. clear
Ies Moines, pt. cloudy....
ldK City, clear
Lmnder. clar
North Platte, pt. cloudy.,
Omaha, clear
Pueblo, clear...
Rapid City, clear
8 ill lAke City, olear....
Mieridan, dear
-Aiiuua Ity, clear,
Valentine, clear........
The Deadline
SHIPS HAYE RIGHT
TO ARM FOR DEFENSE
Lansing; Notifies Envoys Abroad of
Position Taken by the
United States.
IS .FIRST FORMAL STATEMENT
BERLIN, Feb. 18. (Via Wireless
to Sayvllle.) T he newspapers to
day publish a New York dispatch
which says that the torpedoing of
armed merchantment under Ger
many's recent memorandum, which
m-as to become effective ' February
29, has been postpom)! until April.
The foreign office saya that no
such order has been given and that
it Is unable to explain the dispatch
except on the conjecture that ' the
American government is asking de
lay. No request for delay has yet
been received here.
WASHINGTON. Feb. IS All American
diplomatic and consular officials abroad
have been notified In a circular commu
nication from the State department that
the position of the United States Is that
merchant ships lisve a right to carry
defense armament.
This move, which became known today.
Is the first formal announcement that
the United States does not accept as
legal the announced intention of Ger
many and Austria to sink armed mer
chant ships without warning after Feb
ruary . as coming within International
law. , '
Sweden has Informally advised the
State department that in consequence
of the announced tntentlon of Germany
and Austria to sink armed merchant
men without warning alter February 2.
It will notify Its nationals not to travel
on such ships.
It was explained at the legation ot
Sweden here that there would - be no
general warning but that all Swedish
consuls and legations throughout the
world had been Inntructed to warn their
subjects whenever it . was known that
they contemplated taking pasvage on
armed ships of the allies.
Hold Sheep Herder
For Investigation in
Robbery Connection
KEMMERER, Wyo Feb. lft.-Jlm Cut
ter, a sheep herder, was arested and
taken to Rocksprlngs today for investi
gation In connection with the hold up of
Union Pacific passenger train No. 18.
on February . Officers declare he an
swers minutely tne description oi me
holdup.
When arrested Cutler was wearing a
watch which officer said, was taken
from one of, the passengers.; .. "
A macklnaw coat, sow oy a iveramerar
store and found In an alleyat Oreen
River shortly after the robbery, wajri
said by detectives to tally with the
description of the robber's apparel. This,
it waa said, led to Cultre'a apprehension,
Authorities here stated that prior to
the robbery Cutler waa employed as a
shep herder, but since that time he has
not returned to work.
W. J. McCloment, specif 1 agent of the
Union Pacific, waa said to have gone
to Denver to get Mrs. Rhoda Marks, one
of the passengers to identify Cutler. Mrs.
Marks borne la In La Grande, Ore.
Rev. Morton Culver
Hartzell is Dead
PABADENA. Cal., Feb. 18. Rev. Mor
ton Culver Hartsell, widely known as a
crusader against the old time tenderloin
districts In Chicago, died here late last
night. Mr. Hartsell lived in Chicago eight
years as pastor of Cententary Metho
dist Episcopal church en the West Side,
and the South Park Avenue church ot
the same denomination. ' He came here
five year ago for his health and Is sur
vived by a widow and small son. Carl.
HU father.' Bishop Joseph O. Hartsell,
arrived from Chicago a short time be
fore death occurred. The body will be
taken to Chicago.
Mr. HarUell was B0 years old and died
on his birthday anniversary.
Austrians Capture
Town Near Dura'zzo
BERLIN, Feb. IS. (By Wlrelese to Say
vllle.) The capture of Kavaya, Albania,
eight miles southwest of Duraxso. capital
of Albania, by Austro-Hungarlan troops,
ass'stod by Albanians, is announced In
the official report of the Austrv-Hun-garlan
headquarters received here today.
The report follows:
"Austro-Hungarlan troops, reinforced by
Albanians have occupied Kavaya. The
garrison there was composed of Rasad
Pasha's gendarmes, who escaped capture
by flight on board a ship."
Roosevelt Arrives
At St. Thomas
8T THOMAS, D. W. I., Feb. IS. Theo
dore Roosevelt arrived here yesterday on
the steamship Guiana, He dined with the
governor's secretary In the absence of
the governor of St. Croix.
The colonel declined to be interviewed
on political affairs, saying he had come
here for a rest. He will leave St. Thomas
tomorrow.
YOUTH DIES OF INJURIES
RECEIVED IN DUN AWAY
MITCHELL. S. D., Feb. lS.-(8pecfal
Telegram.) Ralph Christopher. IS years
old, driver for the Rathbun Grocery com
pany, was horribly mangled In a run
away that occurred shortly before noon
today. le died while being taken to a
hospital without regaining eonarlouaneae.
lie wss dragged over 100 yards before the
animals were stopped when they ran
into a telephone guy wire.
Tonight Is 9 o'Clock Phone
SENATE RATIFIES
NICARAGUA PACT
AFTER LONG FIGHT
Convention Giving United States
Naval Base and Option on Canal
Route Approved by the
Upper House.
VOTE FIFTY-FIVE TO TT""
Five Democratic t v ,0 v'v'-on
Record Against ijl. - rroposed
Treaty.
NORRIS OPPOSES ADOPTION
WASHINGTON, Feb. 18. The
senate late today, by a vote of 65 to
IS, ratified the long pending aill
persistently opposed Klcaraguan
treaty, whereby the United States
would acquire a ninety-nine year op
tion on the Niraraguan canal route
and a naval base In the Gulf of
Fonsec for $3,000,000.
Included In the ratification resolu
tion was a provision declaring that
the Vnitl States In obtaining the
naval base does not Intend to violate
any existing rights In the Gullf of
Fonseca of Costa Rica, Honduras
and Salvador, which had protested
against the proposed acquirement.
Five democratic nenatnr ovted against
the teraty. Thev were Chamberlain, Mar
line,' Clarke of Arkansas, Thomas and
vardaman. Republicans who voted
ttR.tlnnt tho ratification were Borah,
Clapp, Cummins. Oronna, Jones, Ken
yon, I.a Fotletto, McCumber,-Nelson, Nor-
rls. Smith of Michigan, Smoot and War
ren, llfteen republican senators Joined
the administration forces in support of
the treaty. They were Brandege, Colt,
DIUIngham-, Dupont. Fall, Qalllnger.
Harding, L,lpplt, Lodge, McLean, Page,
Potndoxter, Sutherland. Wadsworth' and
Weoks.
Immediately after the senate had actvd
Stnor Chammorro, the Niraraguan min
ister, snld he would at once communi
cate with his government and that h
expected ratification of the convention
by his government would soon follow.
Robbery of School's '
Strong Box Traced to
Superintendent's Son
NORFOLK. Neb.. Feb. (Special
TeWgram.) Richard CroMer, 14-year-old
high school boy and son of Superintend
ent M. E. Crosier, made a confession to
the police today that he had taken key
from his father's desk, entered the high
school building vault and stolen a box
containing approximately .$104 of school
-"" ... , .. ,..
father and the police tsated that the
next step .would be up to the members
of the school beard or the county attor
ney. '
Approximately tM of the amount taken
was returned and the other 121 will be
made rood.
The knowledge that his son had made
a complote confession came as a thun
derbolt to the superintendent, who Is
heartbroken over tho situation.
Suspicion turned to the boy when It
waa learned he had spent money at a
resort south of town.
Ice Gorge in Blue .
Is Cause of Flood
In City of Beatrice
BEATRICR, Neb., Feb. 18. (Special
Telegram.) The Blue river overflowed
Its banks today when the Ice began to
break up in the stream. The Union Pa
cific wss unable to get train south of
here to Manhattan. K?n., becauae of the
ice gorge and an overflow of the tracks
between Beatrice and Holmesvlll. A
snowplow was sent out this afternoon
lo clear the Ice off the track.
Water four feet deep was running
through the Union Paclflo depot this
evening. The company Is trying to break
up the Ice gorges with dynamite.
The stream Is at flood stage between
here and Maryavllle and it is feared
much damage will result unless the ice
goes out within the next twenty-four
hours.
CAPTAIN F. L. PERRY.
FORMER IQWAN, IS DEAD
SAN FRANCISCO, Cel.. Feb. lR-Cap-taln
Fred L. Perry, eoaat artillery corps.
United States army, is dead at the Pre
siaio nere toaay. ueatn followed a cap
ital operation performed two days ago.
Captain Perry waa born In Iowa In 1875.
He served in the Spanish-American war
as lieutenant In the First Louisiana vol
unteers and was commissioned In the reg
ular service In 1901. Ills last duty was
at the Panama-Pacific ei position, where
he was aaslstant chief of the exposition
guard.
Several Killed by
Rock Plant Blast
PYRACUHHL N. T.. Feb. Is.-An expld
Mun has occurred at the split rock plant
of the Semet-Solvay company, which
manufactures picric add. Early reports
stated that four to tlx persons were
killed and many Injured.
MAID SAVES UVES OF
EIGHT IN BURNING HOUSE
MINNEAPOLIS, Fo. 11 The Uvea ot
eight persons were saved by Anna Nellea,
a maid, who fought her way through
smoke and flames and rescued the fam
ily and guests of former State Senator
Napoleon L'Herhault, whose home was de
stroyed by fire early today. No one was
seriously Injured. Tw) smslt children wers
dropped from upper windows Into the
arms of neighbors.
VICTORIA CROSS FOR E-II CAPTAIN For sinking at least twenty Turkish and Ger
man ships in the Sea of Marmore the commander of the submarine E1II, and the thirty
members of the crew have been granted signal honors by the king. Nasmith receives the
Victoria Cross and members of the crew are of thirty men are awarded distinguished
service medals.
7SSaB"SJE"J
V; -
r i1iSCNiS,l:"vi .VIA 1
If: . ' :
HOST: COPtUtSDf A3JUTH. lJ&VT, O'OYL-C Y . f-iiSHCS Q J&tFT. jXJ
SCANDAL ALLEGED
IN AERIAL SERVICE
Senator Robinson Makes Sensational
Charges Against Men in
Charge.
DEMANDS AN INVESTIGATION
i- i I,
WASHINGTON, Feb.S18. Charges
of a scandal In the army aviation
service Involving detective equip
ment, favprltlsm, to certain, officers
and general inefficiency of the Aero
corps were - laijl before the senate
military committee today by senator
Robinson of Ar.kaD.sas In support. of
his resolution for a congreselonal in
vestigation.. '
1th photographic' copies of letters
which he said had passed between
Colonel "Nober, head of the corps,
and Captain Cowan, In charge of the
San Diego aviation station. Senator
Robinson told the, committee In
executive session that the docu
mentary evidence provufd that the
officers recognized the Inefficient
condition of the aero service and that
Reber had Instructed Cowan to keep
It secret.
Lieutenant Colonel Good lor, judge ad
vocate general of the western division
of the army, wss recently tried by court-
martial charged with .having altered or
added to charges against Cowan, were
that for two years he drew the- 36 per
cent extra pay of an aviation officer,
when he was not an aviator. The case
now Is awaltln .President Wl'eon'a
action. The court-martial at Ban Fran
cisco attracted wide attention - and
threatened an Investigation of the avia
tion service. -.
- Reblaaoa Sabaalte Letters.
- Senator Robinson appeared -before the
committee to urge the "adoption of his
resolution to provide for a congressional
investigation of th aviation service.
"This resolution, was 'Introduced," Sen
ator Robinson said, "only after consider
ation of evidence thst the aviation sec
tion of the signal corpa Is hopclensly in
efficient and that this fact' is known by
the officers charged with Its control,
and deliberately concealed 'by them from
the War department and froni congress."
Under date of April 10. W14, the senstor
said Captain Jowan wrote Colonel Reber:
Frankly, I don't want to put down in
black and white over my signature my
oplnlon about the way the, signal service
ha handled this work. ' ' ' .
"When I think -of all the mistakes that
have been made while I have had charge
of this end of the work it Just makes ina
slrk.'. If I had known ss much
about tbls work six mouths ago as I
know now I am convinced that I could
have, saved thts whole unfortunate situa
tion. ' I don't know very mucn
about how this work should be done.
Stedeata II abed Threaga.
Colonel Reber wrote July . 21. 01114, to
Captain Cowan, Senator Robinson said,
as follows:
"We have until Meptember II to qualify
these men and get them In without hav
ing them detailed aa students. : All you
have to do ia to ait tight and draw your
nay." .
Henator Robinson Introduced letters to
show thst while purchase - of motor
trucks for the service was not provided
ny congress. It wss planned to get them
under an authorisation for "accessories,
and continued:
"As further disclosing the contemptlblo
deceit which Colonel Reber prompted
Japtaln Cowan to practice, I refer to his
letter of March 13, 115, just prior to tho
occasion when a large number of con
gressmen. Including myself, visited the
(Continued on Page Two, Column Otis.)
Tyler 1000, or
vv.v- ' , MM
REAL ESTATE MAN
BOUND AND ROBBED
J. L Duff, South Sider, Viotim of
"Binding Bandit" in His
Office.
LOSES WATCH AND SMALL SUM
A robber thought to be the one
known as "the binding bandlf'Tield
up J. L. Duff, prominent real estate
man of the South Side, 1at yesterday
afternoon at the business' office of
the latter at 8 J 12 h streetrTSouth
Side. The bolil highwayman entered
the) office after two previous visits at
5:46 o'clock" and asking to use the
labratorv enticed Duff into tbe rear
room. ". '"
Here on pretense of attempting to find
a card which he said he had dropped in
hla visits on the day before, he suddenly
drew a revolver and ordered Duff to
hold up his hands. Tying the real
estate man's hands behind him he made
his way into the front office and lock
Ing the door drew down the blind. He
returned and after tying Duff's ankles
together went through his pockets talk
ing freely the while. The bandit obtained
a gold watch and W In money,
A aearch of the open safe and the of
fice followed. Finding nothing, he re
turned to the rear room, remarking that
he would call the police, opened the rear
door and - escaped.
Mr. Duff worked his way as best he
could ' to the front room and drew ud
the blind with hla teeth. A pedestrian
was attracted,- and- seeing the ' predica
ment) of the business man, called the
police. ..'..- . ; . I
The man waa described to be about SS
years or age, 6 feet T Inches tall and
weighing r about 169 , pounds.' He was
perfectly cool .while managing the situa
tion, going about the-search aa though
he were an experienced criminal., accord
ing to the testimony. of Duff- to the
police later. ' .
Roumania About
Ready to Enter War
On Side of Entente
. LONDON, Feb. 18. "DUpatches from
Bucharest state that the capture of
Brserum by the Russians is crytUlllsliiK
the decision of-Roumania to-intervene at
an "early date." says the Rome cor re
spondent of the Kxchange Telegraph
company.
"In Roumanian official circles in sym
pathy with the intents It la 'stated' that
In March there will be a concentration
of Russian troops In Bessarabia 'for tho
purpose of. permitting. .Roumania '. to
transfer troops, to the Bulgarian frontier.
Thla transfer already is In progress..
"In the meantime the allies are hasten
ing the transportation to Halgiilkl of the
Serbian, Albanian and Montenegrin arm
lea, which with the French and fliitlsh
troops will make possible an offensive
movement simultaneously with the tntur
.entlon of Roumania."
Another Catherine
Winters is Found
NKWIMHT,' Ky., Feb. - U:- Word was
received today from Kewcaatla. Ind., that
Dr. W. A. Winters was on his wuy to this
J city to look at a young girl who, officials
of tho Campbell County Humane society
believe to be his long-lost daughter,
M'atherlne.
The girl gives the name of Lucy At
kins and wss taken from John Atkins, So
years old. Atklna arrived here with his
wife and family several weeks ago. lie
iiiixsts that the girl Is his own daughter,
but the Humane society officials, say he
gave unsatisfactory answers regarding
the birth of the child.
Bring Your Want-Ad, in Person, to The Bee
1
-1 I
31
ARMED WITH BOMB
AGAINSTJAPTORS
Crones Intimated He Was Beady for
Anybody Who Tried to
Take Him.
SERIOUS IN HIS THREATS
CHICAGO, Feb. ,18. Officials of
a correspondence school have fjrlentl
an application for their . chemistry
course aa tho same attached to the
letter pubUahed In a New York,
paper, la -which Crones confessed
poisoning soup served at the badqfiet
to Archbishop Mundeleln here last
week,' it was announced today - by
Captain Hunt, chief of detectives.
The captain believes Crones also
wrote the second letter published to
day.. . . . ,
Crones was serious In his ' threats
against the police, contained In the sec
ond letter, according to Hunt.
"I believe he Is carrying an Infernal
machine and that he would sacrifice his
own life to wipe out any policeman who
may try to capture him," Captain-Hunt
aald. ...
The detective chief Is expecting a pho
tographic copy of the first letter from
Police Commissioner Woods of New York
and todsy received official notice of the
receipt of the' second.
Ritra Preeaatloas at New, York. ,
NEW YORK, Feb. 18. -The. fact that
Jean Crones, the anarchistic chef accused
of poisoning soup servrd at a dinner given
by Catholic clergy to Archbishop Munde
lain In Chicago, la supposed to ge in this
city caused the police today to take ex
traordinary precautions to safeguard the
guests at a ball to be given In Madison
Kquare Garden tonight by the Knights of
Columbus. Governor Whitman, high city
officiate and ' many dignitaries of the
Catholic church are expected to be pres
ent : '
Detectives have been ordered to watch
every section of the auditorium and an
otheilaige dvtail will patrol the environs
of the garden. '
' The police have been spurred to renewed
activity by the definite establlhmrnt of
the fact thst two letters received by the
New York Times snd purporting to have
ten written by Crones were mailed In
New' York. The serniid letter, which wss
received by ' the Time's laat' night and
published this morning, conveyed a threat
that a new outrage was planned In thts
city.
Sallda Clew, la Rapleded.
I'NVpil, Colo., Feb. "iA-flat de
nlal that anarchistic leaders hsd been
holding secret meeting at Sallda, Colo.,
planning a "reign of terror", throughout
the United Btates, wss made by federal
officials - here today. Authorities ex
pressed the opinion thst the Chicago re
port emanated from the receipt a month
ago of a poorly spelled rambling .letter
from a mart living In a small Isolated
district who declared he ' worked under
the science' of astrology." - The letter
atatcd that the "American fleet, har
bors and mining districts'' were in dsn
ger and suggested that the matter be
taken up with foreign diplomats. In
vestlgatlpn. disclosed, ssy officials, that
the writer had no col lyrction with out
Ula parties, . ....
Mrs. Meyer Given . -Sixteen
Years in
State Penitentiary
WIN'TERSKT. Ia.. Feb. lS.-Slxteen
years In the penitentiary was the sen
tence today given by Judge Applegete
lo Mrs. Ida Meyer, the SO-year-old womin
who earlier in. tl.e week, was convicted
ct complicity in the murder of her daugli-ter-ln-law,
Mrs. F.thel Meyer, last July.
LAW OF SEA TWO ,
CENTURIES OLD,
SAYS MR. LODGE
Senator Holds that Any Change of
Policy Now Would Be Clear
Violation of Ken
trality.
MEANS STEP TOWARD WAR
Sefnial to Clear Merchant Ship
Armed for Defense Wonld Make
U. S. Ally of Kaiser.
WILSON'S FIRST POSITION EIGHT
WASHINGTON, Feb. lS.-enator
Lodge, ranking minority member of
the foreign relations committee.
made a speech in the senate today.
declaring; that abandonment by the
Untied States at this time of the
principle thst Its ports were open to
and its ritlr.ens free to travel upon
merchantmen ot belligerent nations
armed solely for defensive purposes,
would be an unneutral act and a step
toward war. He said It would make
the United States the ally of the bel
l'rerent whose merchant marine had
been swept from the seas.
As late ss the president's note of Msv
IX ISIS, signed hy Mr. Bryan. Senator
Iodge said, this government recognised
that "American cltlxena were within
their "Indlsputed r!ghu In taking their
ahlpa and In traveling wherever their legitimate-business
calls thent upon the
high seas."
Law Two Cent arte Old.
"Such," he added, "hss been the prac
tice of all nations In regard to the armed
merchantmen. It ' seems utterly Incred
ible that thla position should be In any
way altered now or that our government
ahould be ready to surrender - the un
questioned rights of Americans to travel
or ship goods on a belligerent merchant
man subject to all the rule which have
been established by the courts and by
all International authorities for at least
two centuries. The abandonment of those
rights by any neutral government on the
ground that the Invention of submarines
with the necessary limitations upon the
powers ot rapture possessed by those
boats Is Inconceivable. Ouch abandon
ment could only reat on the ground that
the rights of neutrals, the rules that for
centuries have been agreed upon by all
nations-for the protection of Innocent
lives upon vessels captured In war must
be thrown aside and discarded In order
that a now Instrument of maritime de
struction must not be Impeded In Its
work of death and murder. 8ueh a doe
trine Is revolting ia every instinct of
humanity, te ovoey-rrttiwiels ef law and
justice. -.".'"
. i Violation ef NentnUlty.
'"There IS. however, another aids to this
matter, which. Is of even graver Impor
tance. There can be no question that
any act by a neutral, which alters con
ditions created by the war Is an unneu
tral act and places the neutral upon the
side of one belligerent or the other.
"This Is eminently true of any form of
embargo, and there Is no need that I
should repeat the unanswerable argument
on this point embodied by Mr. Lansing in
his note of last August to the government
of Austria-Hungary. The war, and the
war alone baa also created conditions
under which any change at this time In
the attitude which we took officially at
the outset of the war In regard to armed
merchantmen would be an unneutral
act The merchantmen of one belligerent
have been swept from the seas. Therefore,
If we should abandon all the principles
on this subjeot that we have always
sustained, If we should abandon the rules
laid down by Mr, learning In hla circular
ef September, 1914, and declare that our
ports were closed to armed merchant
men, or that goods and passengers from
tho United Btates could not be placed
on an uncommissioned merchantman
armed solely for self defense, our action
would affect only one belligerent; tt
would alter conditions created by the
war, and would therefore be unneutral.
It would make us at once the ally of the
belligerent whose merchant marine haS
been driven from the ocean. It would
be a step toward war.
Direct Step Toward War. '
"I cannot believe that the administra
tion thinks for a moment ot altering the
well defined poaltlon which It took at the
outset ef the European war, and I believe
that It must stand as firmly on this
question as It has on the question of the
embargo. Should it act otherwise tt would
accept a humiliation and incur a danger
of war from which' even the boldest and
most unscrupulous would shrink."
Henator sterling of South Dakota spoke
on his resolution to declare the senate's
(Continued on Page Two. Column Two.)
The Day a War Nexsa
MISSI4N WAR OFFICE ku offl
rlallr ssaaasrH the. raatira ef
Krseraaa front In Tarka, ant Sum
fnrnlahrd details.
IK MAJOR FIELDS OP WAR, west
II of aa important aatsrt, a tar
aa official reports show.
MI CH SPKCl LATIOV roaardlagr tho
roKanlo farther ronrae of ore-nta
In tho eaaipslga sbest Krseraaa la
aelna Indulged In. Oaa roaart
aays that Itaaalaua hare anahed a
force aorta west fraa Kraern aa a art
that this bod r of trooaa ha
already reached Balhart, seventy
flvo allien away aa tha road to
Trehlaoad.
REI-ORTS OF A MUTINY at Blada
troops la Karat raasa today
thronah brrmaa chaaaela. A ctr
enatstaatlal areoaat anbllahed la
a toloano aewaaaaer doelarvo that
aa eatlre rra'aieat aantlnled.
Twelve HrUlah officers, laeladtaa;
aad a major, were killed, accord
ing ta tha awnaat,