Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, April 9, 1915, Page 1

e —— i an VOLUME 13, NO. 86. . BEMIDJ], MINNESOTA, FRIDAY. EVENING, APRIL 9, 1916. ' FORTY CENTS PER MONTH. BRITISH AUTHORITY SAYS AMERICA IS RIGHT IN NOT HAVING STANDING ARMY| Parliamentary Under Secretary of War Favors ™ &, “ United States in Providing . a’fo,,, “arces. Cle, o DEPEND UPON PRESENT b. Demand Not Made That Youth Relin- quish Best Years of Life—Always Ready When Time Comes. The Rt. Hon. Harold J. Ten- nant, British parliamentary un- der secretary of war, is Lord Kitchener’s official spokesman in the house of commons. The fol- lowing interview is, therefore, of peculiar interests, particularly since it indicates Tennant’s ap- proval of the American system of a volunteer army. By WILLIAM SHEPHERD. Copyright, 1915, by United Press. Copyrighted in Great Britian. London, April 9.—America is right in not having a great standing army made up of men forced into service. America is right in not demanding that ali her young men shall give the best years of their live to mili- tary service. America is right in going about her business upon the expectation, that when war does come her voluntary system can be depended upon. These are the conclusions that Americans may draw from this state- ment from the British war office, made to the United Press today: “Unprecedented strains have been put upon the voluntary system in this war and it has triumphantly withstood the ordeal.” England and America are the only two first class powers in the world that follow the voluntary system— the system of keeping militarism in the background and depending, in a pinch, on having their citizens come forward, voluntarily, to serve the country. Kitchener Followed Suit. The statement was given me by the Rt. Hon. Harold J. Tennant, par- liamentary under secretary of war, the official spokesman of Lord Kitch- ener on the floor of the house of commons. . When you ask Harold J. Tennant about the ar and war re- sults you are questioning him on his own ground. The secretary has to face a tornado of inquiries that are asked Lord Kitchener in the house of commons. One of the best feat- ures in the British war office shown since the war began has been the close co-operation between Lord Kitchener and Mr. Tennant. They are personal associates. When Mr. Ten- nant some days ago conformed to the latest usages in London society by acquiring a pair of horn-rimmed spee- tacles, Lord Kitchener followed suit. And when Lord Kitchener imitates a man, that man must be a respected friend. What Harold Tennant doesn’t know about government af- fairs from Lord Kitchener, he is like- 1y to get from Sir Edward Grey, Eng- land’s foreign secretary. During the strenuous days of the war it has been Sir Edward Grey’s sole relaxa- tion to go to his club nightly-and play a game of billiards with Ten- nant. Which Most Interesting? Mr. Tennant began the interview by asking me a question: “What do you think,” he said, “is the feat- ure of your military policy, which is most interesting to Americans?” It came to me to ask him about the voluntary military service, which only England and America, of all the first class powers, have con- tinued to follow. Other great nations must force military service on their citizens. The English-American plan was being tried by England in the greatest war in history, and I thought the people would like to know how the military system was standing the strain. “Unprecedented strains,” said Mr. Tennant, “‘have been put upon the voluntary system in this wear; it has had to undergo a mueh more severe trial than ever contemplated and it has triumphantly withstood the or- deal.” Corresponds to Militia. “Take first the territorial force,” said Mr. Tennant. “The territorial force, it may be explained, corres- ponds to the American militia. There were roughly at the beginning of the war a quarter of a million soldiers in that army, a good many thousand below its paper strength. Of these some had been enlisted for some time and had gone through the re- quired drills and training in camp. Others who had enlisted more recent- 1y, had done no more than a fort- night’s camp training, and some of them had done not even that. On the fourth of August, therefore, when war was declared it stood upon its trial.” Apply this same deseription to the American militia and you can read the same significance of ‘Mr. Ten- nant’s description in terms of - the American military problem. “We now have been nearly eight | months at war and nothing has hap- Ipened to necessitate our calling upon | the territorial forces to perform the service for which it was originally “tended—that is to ' protect the X Xy from invasion.” Nhat has happened then to the territorial?” force I asked. “It was at the beginning of August some thousands below its paper es- tablishment. It is now more than double what it was originally intend- ed to be. We have territorials to the total number originally provided for, all of whom have volunteered for foreign service; and as a second line to these, we have been training a (Continued on last page). ST. PAUL PACKING HOUSE DAMAGED BY MORNING FIRE (Unitea Press) . St. Paul, April 9.—Fire at the Katz & Hertz packing plant, located at South St. Paul, caused a loss which will probably reach $10,000. The origin of the fire is unknown. The firemen gained control of the flames before they spread to the Swift pack- ing, plant which escaped without in- jury. The fire started early this morning and the firemen announced that it had been extinguished at 9 o’clock. CELEBRATE LEE’'S SURRENDER Des Moines, Ia., April 9.—Comply- ing with a general order from Col. David J. Palmer, commander-in- chief of the Grand Army of the Re- publie, old soldiers all over the coun- try are busy today celebrating the surrender of Lee to Grant just fifty years ago. In many places, accord- ing to reports received by Col. Pal- mer, other patriotic societies are as- sisting in the celebration. The day was observed in Bemidji, many persons flying flags. At the North Side school, the stars and stripes floated. J. M. Phillippi, a veteran, is custodian of this build- ing. JITNEYS IN CAPITOL. Washington, April 9.—Washington is soon to have jitney buses. To meet the problems. their coming will offer, the district commissioners have been thinking hard. Licenses will be required and autos attempting to operate without licenses will be classed as ‘‘ille-jitneys” and so treated. Liability insurance may be required. Definite routes will be laid out and the buses required to follow them. It is believed the com- ing of the jitneys will reduce present congestion of many street railway lines. ALLEGED GRAFTER ON TRIAL. Sioux City, Ia., April 9.—Frank Pierce, former. chief of police, went on trial before District Court Judge John W. Anderson here today on an indictment charging that he re- ceived bribes to protect illegal sa- loons, gambling houses and ‘“red light” resorts. Pierce resigned un- der fire and a citizens’ committee is circulating a recall petition aimed at John Deneen, superintendent of the department of public safety. Scores of witnesses have been summoned for both sides of the Pierce case. FLEET REACHES CHESAPEAKE Norfolk, Va., April 9.—The At- lantie fleet, which recently completed target and fleet practice at Guanta- namo, Cuba, is due to arrive at the Virginia Capes today and anchor in Tangier Bay, to make ready for tar- get practice outside the Capes. Flom-Anderson. Miss Ida Anderson and Siever Flom of Bemidji were united in mar- riage yesterday afternoon by Rev. George Larson of Nymore. Miss Ida Moen and Gust Moen acted as wit- nesses. 7 Mrs. B. M. Gile and daughter, .|Celay were about 1,000, SHELLS OF VILLA’S ARMY MAY REACH BROWNSVILLE (United Press) Brownsville, Tex., April 9.—Alarm grew here this afternoon when it was reported . that Villa intends to make an attack on Matamoras from the south. This would mean that shells from his guns would fall into the city. There is great activity by both forces in preparation for a series of air attacks. American troops are watching clesely the actions of the Mexicans. General Villa’s losses at or one- fourth of his army. Dispatches say that General Carranza arrived at Junta this afternoon. Prisoners taken by Carranza’s army say that Villa was the first to flee. TRAP SHOOTING TO START Gun Club Held Annual Meeting Last Night at Which Plans for Season Were Discussed—Gray President TO PREVENT LAW VIOLATIONS At the annual meeting of the Be- midji Rod & Gun club held in the council chambers of the city hall last evening the following officers were named: President—W. A. Gray. Vice-president—R. L. Given. Secretary—Charles Vandersluis. Field Captain—Del Burgess. Treasurer—W. L. Brooks. It was decided to hold two trap shoots a week, one to be held every Wednesday afternoon at 3 o’clock and. the other every Sunday morning at 10 o’clock. All shooters. are invited to partici- pate in the trap shooting, it not be- ing necessary to become a member of the club. The membership fee is $3.00 a yeaJ and the annual dues are one dollar. A series of tournaments and prize contests are being planned and a most interesting season is anticipa- ted. It is possible that a team will be selected and that contests will be held with the clubs of the neighbor- ing towns. One of the propositions which will receive attention from members of the club this year will be the protec- tion of all game laws. Every mem- ber of the club will be expected te ca-operate in preventing violations and to aid in.putting a stop to the out of season hunting and pot shoot- ing. In this way .great good can be given in the protection of game birds and big game. The first shoot will be held Sunday. GREECE TO ENTER WAR WHEN OCCASIONDEMANDS (United Press) Rome, April 9.—King Constantine of Greece in an interview this after- noon, said that his whole country will fight with enthusiasm if the condition demanded. “The people are thoroughly patriotic,” said he, “and those governing should judge well the time and opportunity for ac- tion.” Mvenezelos, former prime minister of Greece, who resigned ‘when the king refused to support his recommendations that Greece join in the war with the allies, has retired from politics. 0DD FELLOWS MEET TONIGHT Will Confer Work Upon Candidates In Third Degree. A regular meeting of the local lodge of the Independent Order of 0dd Fellows will be held in the Odd Fellows hall at 8 o’clock this even- ing. Third degree work will be con- ferred upon several candidates. The officers have made arrangements for a specially large attendance and are desirous that all members and visit- ing Odd Fellows attend. Cannot Fish With Line. There is one game law which is not familiar to many residents of the state and that is the one making it Kathryn, returned last evening lrom' Minneapolis, where they have spent Gile’s mother, Mrs. H. B. Thorson, and other relatives and friends. the past five weeks as guests of Mrs. 1 illegal to use a hook and line for fish- ing during April. Game Warden Bailey said this morning that the spearing of pickerel, suckers, horse, carp and bull heads is allowed, CLEANUP WORK STARTS Vacant Lots in-All Parts of City Re- ceiving Attention—Street Com- missioner is Busy. DUMP - GROUND 18 PROVIDED Under the direction of Thomas Swinson, city engineér, the work. of clearing away refuse from many of the vacant lots, and cleading - the streets of rubbish is Tow progressing and. before another week the city government. will have competed its share towards making Bemidji the “spotless” town that the cleanup workers would have-it. Swinson has several teams at work and great improvement is noticeahle in many localities of the city. Ac- cording to action taken by the coun- cil at its last meeting a bridge has been provided on.the road to. the dump ground and n announcing the completion of the structure the city engineer this morning said: “The ecity has provided a dump ground for the disposal of all rub- .|bish and hereafter all persons haul- ing refuse will be required to make use of it It can be reached by tak- ing the Fourth street road to the new bridge, then north to the dump ground, between the Red Lake rail- way track and the Great Northern railway track.” During the past many careless per- sons have dumpefl rubbish in the woods within thg city limits and some have even uged the lake shore along the boulev;d -for ‘the disposal of their refuse. § Lawns in all mfrts of the city are being raked and every evening chil- dren can be found enjoying the bon- fires.. The cleanup season is surely here. STATE LOSES %820 ACRFS Beltrami County Land Not Given to- Minnesota Under :Swnmp Land Grant of 1860—In Reservation. IS CLAIMED BY GOVERNMENT Minnesota Will probably lose 820 acres of Beltrami- county land be- lieved to have beemr secured from the government under. the swamp land grant of-1860; ‘se¥ral selections hay- ing been disallowdd because it lies within the moundaries of the Red Lake Indian reservation. P. M. Ringdahl, registrar of the Crookston land office, has notified State Auditor Preus that the claims of the state have been disallowed. The state has thirty days in which to appeal. Since the swamp land grant of 1860 the tract has been considered as state land, and has been set aside as belonging to the state. It has never been subject to allotment. “This matter has been in contro- versy for some time and the serving of the official notice on the state au- ditor was for. the purpose of estab- lishing the government’s right to the land and bringing the controversy to a head,” says Mr. Ringdahl. “The contention of this office is that at the time the sawmp land act ‘was passed the 802 acres was part of the Indian reservation and as such was not subject to the act of 1860. The matter is now up to the general land office and if it is decided that the state has no claim to the land it will be included in the Indian al- lotment.” ALLIES ATTEMPT T0 FORCE PEACE WITH AUSTRIA (United Press) London, April 9.—On two great battle fields 700 miles apart, the al- lies are co-operating in a mighty at- tempt to crush Emperor Franz Josef and force Austria-Hungary to sue for peace. Russian armies are now in- vading Hungary and the French are driving fiercely at St. Mihiel to force the Germans to rush their reinforce- ments, and thereby preventing them from giving any aid to the Austrians against the Slavs. red! Professor Lehnerts will speak at the City hall Tuesday night. REPORTER I HAVE HERE A 3PRING POH-UM WHICH T DESIRE YD READ TONOU, SULL MERITS-(TIS ENTITLED - (JHAT YoU MAYSEE T3 PR\NTAQ\—E Fm ANP PECUNIARY. You Know flow Us Poets Is In Sprmgtlme BENEATH THE SURFACE-NOW T WEEN, FLOWER SEEDS ARE SUBMARINE. - WE LOOK AND SEE THE SWEET' STICKING T\'-RODGH'\“E APRIL MUD. IPLAN TO TRANSFER TRENTINO TO ITALY So Say Reports in Telling of Agree- ment Which Has Been Made by Austrian Emperor--Hinder Allies FACT WELL SUBSTANTIATED Sudden Stoppage of News Covering Bargain—Value of Peace is Strongly Shown. By J. W. T. MASON.. New York, April 9.—Reports in Paris that the Austrian Emperor has agreed to the transfer of Trentino to Italy are probably correct. Paris nat- urally would be inclined to disbelieve all such rumors unless the basic fact were well substantiated. The disad- vantage to the Allies. cause, which Would follow the purcnase of Austria of Italy’s neutrality is sufficiently obvious to suggest that Paris would suppress all versions of negotiations unfavorable to the Allies as-long as any good purpose could served. The fact that the French censor has allowed a report of the Trentino’s transfer after the war to be tele- graphed abroad and the added cir- cumstance that Parisian sources of international news vouch ‘for the truth of the statement suggest the rumors may be correct. thus pe Stoppage of News. During the past week, too, a sud- den stoppage seems to have been put on news of the Trentino bargaining hitherto garrulously telegraphed broadcast from Rome. This in it- self might be a bad sign if negotia- tions had reached a critical impass, or a good sign if negotiations were reaching- a satisfactory conclusion. Paris inelines to the later view, and is probably justified in doing so. If Italy has sold her neutrality for the Trentino, an admirable bargain has been struck. By going to war against Austria and Germany, Italy might- have succeeded in obtaining Istria will all of Austria’s principal seabord ports; but it is questionable whether the peace conference would have ratified the Istrian seizure ang even if it had, Italy would be con- tinually threatened thereafter by an Austrian -war of revenge. Austria Fares Well. While Austrian prestige suffers through the cession of the mountain- ous and interior Trentino, no perma- nent and irreparable injury is done to the dual monarchy such as would follow the loss of her Northern Adri- atic seaboard. Hence, by clinching her future control of Istria, Austria has come well out of the bargaining. By making terms with Austria and Germany now, Italy may lose an op- portunity to extend her influence in Asia Minor. If the Italians were to enter the war with the Allies, the Ro- man Government might be able to obtain not only the Trentino by force of arms, but also a definitely recog- nized sphere of influence in Smyrna Province, where Italy’s Asia Minor interests center. Cost to Be Heavy. But the frightful tolls which are being exacted by the present war would probably make the cost to Italy more than a Smyrna sphere of influ- ence is worth. . The value of peace was never more apparent to neutral countries than it is now, and if Italy in reality has ob- tained the Trentino, while continuing to enjoy the advantdges of peace, Ro- man statesmanship will have gained one of the most notable diplomatic victories of the centuary. The prestige thus won by her statecraft will elevate Italy to a higher place " |in European councils than the penin- sula kingdom has ever possessed in the past. GERMANS HAVE CAPTURED 6,050 GUNS SINCE WAR BEGAN (United Press) Berlin, April 9.—According to a war headquarters announcement of today the Germans have captured 6,- 050 guns since the war began up to March. From the Belgians = 3,300 were taken; from the French, 1,300; ‘from_the Russians, 800, British, 600. and the FOR SUN AND RAIN, \TS ON THE WATCH 4 REVIVAL STARTS SUNDAY. Gilman Tells of. Reynolds’ Career as Evangelist. In speaking of the evangelistic meetings which are to begin at the. Methodist church Sunday, Rev. C. W. Gilman this morning said: “Frank E. Reéynolds is a business man, who ' was marvelously converted in 1905. Since then he has felt the call of God: to preach the Gospel, and for nearly four years he has filled an ap- pointment in the Minneapolis district of the M. E. church, besides being actively engaged in business. He now feels called of God to discon- tinue business and enter the evangel- istic field. He has a message for business men and others, and has more calls than he can fill. He be- lieves in the ‘“‘old time” Gospel, and is safe, sane and successful. He be- gins his meetings in the M. E. church Sunday morning. = Everybody will re- ceive a hearty - welcome. George Chapman, his singer, -will have charge of the music’during the re- vival,” STATE LAW IN FORCE Mayor McCuaig Notifies Owners of Soft Drink Places That Sale of “Booze” Must Stop. Rev. ORDER GIVEN THIS MORNING Since the government began the enforcement of the provisions of the Indian treaty of 1855, the saloons of Bemidji being ordered to close on November 30, there have been sev- eral places here where the sale of intoxicating liquors has continued al- though the special officers of the In- dian department have endeavored to prevent it. The city government, claiming that the former saloons which had been converted into alleged soft drink par- lors were still operating under their, liquor licenses, in no wise offered aid to the offiicers and the sale of “booze” continued. But the violators of the treaty are to be more closely watched in the future and an order was issued this morning by William McCuaig, mayor of Bemidji, in which all proprietors of ‘soft drink establishments are warned that the state law_ will be rigidly ‘enforced in‘the future and that the: violators will be:prosecuted in every instance. One soft drink place was searched yesterday, whisky being found in pop bottles. The same’ offender, Frank Gagnon, on six previous occasions had been found with whisky in his possession. There are several other places which will be closely watched. Persons found guilty of selling in- toxicating liquors i Bemidji without | a license may be_ punished by fines from $100 to $200.or 90 days in jail or both. TUDAY IN LEGISLATURE (Unitea Press) St. Paul, April 9.—The senate this afternoon killed the bill which would teach patriotism by keeping “kiddies” in school on Washington’s birthday. The Dunn road law was passed without amending, thus sending the bill to Governor Hammond with the house amendment attached. A bill' which would extend the abatement law to blind piggers was killed in the temperance committee. A bill was introduced which would change telephone tax from present three per cent of gross earnings to thirty cents for each instrument. BAND AT CASS LAKE. Former Bemidji Leader Forms Organi- zation in Neighboring Town. Alden Remfrey, until recently di- rector of the Bemidji band, has or- ganized a band at Cass Lake, its mem- bership” now being eighteen. Re- hearsals are to be held twice each week. - Remfrey is also considering the advisability of organizing bands at Walker and Laporte. He is a musician of much ability and a cap- able leader and should meet with sue- cess in his new undertaking. The Bemidji band made much progress under the leadership of ‘Remtrey. _By "HOP" =T LEARNED TS THROW FR0M ONE FRANK GOTCH) AUDITOR APPEALS - | FORAIDTOPROTEST LAND BONUS RULING County Auditor Asks Assistance in Effort to Retain Excess Money of Tax Judgment Sales. WILL PAY INTEREST FOR YEARS Question Whether Prospective Set- tlers and Different Counties are Being Treated Squarely. In an appeal to citizens of north- ern Minnesota and to purchasers of government land under the Volstead Act of May 20, 1908, James L. George, auditor of Beltrami county, has issued the following statement in regard to the protest which has been made by him to the ruling of the general land office concerning the disposal of excess money secured at tax judgment sales: “In 1908, the government possess- ed millions of acres of swamp lands in northern Minnesota which were practically worthless. Is Not Obligated. “In that year congress enacted a law providing that these lands should become subject to the laws of the state of Minnesota relating to the drainage of lands for agricultural purposes, and that the cost of such jdrainage shculd be assessed to the ‘lands benefited, and the collection of isuch benefits should be made in the ;same way as the collection” of other |taxes, but not obligating the govern- ment in any way. “This law also provided that a pur- chaser of the tax certificate at the tax sale should have the privilege of | filing on the land purchased, and ob- taining a patent without residence or improvement, on the payment to the government of the price of $1.25 per acre and the usual land office fees provided he was possessed of a homestead right. “The law also provides as follows: ‘Any part of the purchase money arising from the sale of any lands in the manner and for the purposes provided in this act which shall be in excess of the payments herein re- jquired AND OF THE TOTAL iDRAINAGE CHARGES. -ASSESSED AGAINST SUCH LAND shall also be paid to the receiver before patent shall be issued.” $15,000 Bonus Secured. ‘“At the sale of May, 1914, the county auditor of Beltrami county, urged on the bidding for these lands under the impression, naturally, that anything bid up to the extent of THE TOTAL DRAINAGE ASSESSMENT would go to the credit of the lien against each particular tract of land, and that any excess over and above the ‘total drainage assessment would g0 to the government as a bonus. “With this understanding the bid- ding was active, and about $15,000 was taken in as excess. “After the sale, however, the au- ditor received the ruling of the land department to the effect that all moneys received in excess of THE INTEREST ON THE TOTAL DRAIN- AGE CHARGES would have to be turned over to the land offices before a patent would be issued. Permitted Under Protest. “Acting under this ruling, the au- ditor informed the purchasers that he would refund their money or re- mit it to the land office as they wish- ed. And just to show the added value of the lands under drainage, wish to say that 95 per cent of the money was remitted to the land of- fice under protest. “Now, are the prospective set- tlers of this and other .northern counties of Minnesota being treated squarely? $1,397,350 Bonds. “Furthermore, this county has is- sued drainage bonds to the amounmt of $1,397,350, on which the interest must be paid semi-annually, and the principal annually after five years from the date of the lien. Some of these lands will not be sold on ac- count of being absolutely worthless, for several years after being drained. In such case the county must make good on the interest and principal. If the advance payments secured at the sale could only be retained as the law provides, there would be plenty of money on hand at all times in.the next ten years to make these pay- ments as they become due. “Now, are the different coun- ties being treated squarely? “Are you interested enough to write to- the commissioner of the general land office at Washington, protesting against the outrageous ruling? Also your representatives and senators? Also to get three of your friends either here or in any other state to write to the same ef- fect? “A strong effort will have its re- sults. i AT “Now, are.you as an individ- ual being treated squarely? “Go._to it!- Make it strong, .and do’it now.”