Evening Star Newspaper, March 19, 1927, Page 1

)\ WEATHER. (U. 8. Weather Showers and cooler tonight. row rain and colder. at 2:40 pm. lowest, 59, at 6:20 a.m. today. Highest, 80, Full report on Bureau Forecast.) Tomor- Temperature— vesterday; page 2. Closing N. Y. Stocks and Bonds, Page 30 Entered as secol 5, 30,272, Erit"omce, nd class matter shington, D. C. ch WASHINGTON, WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION DRIG, SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 1927 —FORTY ¢ Fpening Star. “From Pres: The Star's as fast as the paper Within the Hour” carrier system covers every city block and the regular edi- tion is delivered to Washington homes s are printed. PAGES. 5 (P) Means Associated Press. Yesterday’s Circulation, 104,731 I'WO CENTS. BALKANWAR SCARE ACAIN THREATENS PEACE OF EUROPE Jugoslavia - Albania - Italian Situation Likely to In- volve France Next. LEAGUE CIRCLES SHOW ALARM OVER TENSION Serbs Reported Massing Large Forces on Border—Rome Sends Note to London. BY CONST!/ NE BROWN. By Cable to The News. C LONDON, Mar in the Balkans is ver ing to the London Time: lishes in its first column a series of rellable dispatches from Belgrade. Tirana and Rome. The reports of Itallan-Serbian war preparations have caused a sensation in diplomatic cir- cles in London This correspondent is informed that the Times acted on the advice of the British foreign office, which, realizing the critical nature of the situation, believed that timely publicity might help avert a crisis. Relations between Jugoslavia on the one side and Italy and Albania on the other have been critical ever since signature of the Albanian- Italian treaty. Fomented by Serbians. London and Rome have had posi- tive information that the Serbians were encouraging formation of bands of komitadjis in_Albania, officered by Serbian army officers who were placed temporarily on the retired list. The bands were ordered to provoke an anti-Zogu revolution in Albania early in the Spring, and it is feared in London in the event of a revolution Italy would feel bound to intervene to _save Albania's president. Such intervention, it is believed here, would bring about armed conflict be- tween Italy and Jugoslavia, and it is feared the conflict, owing to the strain- ed relations between France and Italy, could not be localized. ““We cannot tolerate the ambitions of the Balkan States to upset the peace of Burope,” said a responsible governnient official to the correspond- ent today It is known here that Jugoslavia has been making hasty war preparations in the last few months. Large quan- tities of arms and ammunition have been purchased in western Europe, and the recent trip of King Alexander to Bucharest is sald to haye been due, not to a desire to see his AN, King Ferdinand, but to counter the effect of Italy’s recognition of the an- mexation of Bessarabia and obtain as surance of Rumania's friendly neu trality in case of an Iltalo-Jugoslav conflict. Hope Pinned on Publicity. 1t is hoped the wide publicity given this brewing conflict will avert trou- | ble in the Balkans. Meanwhile, it is reliably reported the Serbs are con- tinuing to mass large forces on the Al- banian and Italian frontiers, while de- fensive works are being organized rapidly on the Bulgarian and Hunga- rian frontiers, where regular troops are being reinforced by Macedonian ir- regular bands and elements of Gen. Wrangel’s disbanded soldiery. British diplomats hope that in spite of the Italo-French rivalry the French | cabinet, especially Foreign Minister Briand, will use its influence with Bel- grade, advising the hot-headed Se bians to refrain from setting the Bal- kans afire again. LEAGUE CIRCLES ALARMED. Far-Reaching Complications Seen in Balkan Crisis. By Cable to The Star and ( ews, CopyTIgnt 19.—Officials of | Natlons are following | news from Albani ako Daily A, March the League of anxiously the where Italy and Jugoslavia are ac cusing each other of hostile prepara- tions. Both nations have let it be under #tood repeatedly in a semi-official way that entrance into Albania of any body | of troops, however small, would mean | war. Now Rome formally notifies the British and other governments that Jugoslavia {s concentrating troops on the Albanian border, which, if true, would justify an Italian military occu | pation unde > treaty of Tirana reles here categorically deny any such concentration intention. The an press publishes many m fal details to support the allega- | conerete purpose of Dictator Mussolini’s maneuver is not entirely lear. Certainly if he intends to land troops in Jugoslavia Denies War Move, LONDON, March 19 (F).—The Jugo slavian Legation in London today i sued an emphatic denial of the report published in Italy that Jugoslavian military forces were L heavily mobilized on the Italian and Albar frontiers. Confirmation of the rey was also lacking in Albanian circles here. The Gior commenting yesterday on the report of warlike rations in Jugoslavia sald they were based politically on an agreement more or less generic or spe cific between and *“with the obje ating distrust of Italy throu Balkans and to find itimacy for policy provocation. JURY OUT THIRD DAY. Deliberations in Furniture Maker's Case Still Continue. CHICAGO, March 19 (). —The jury in the furniture manufacturers’ trial began its third day of deliberating this morning with no indication of whether a verdict One hundred and twenty-nine furni- ture manufacturers, individuals and firms are charged with violation of the anti-trust law through an alleged com- hine to keep furniture prices at a fixed level, was nes lia of Rome, in| Paris, | FATE AFTER Aviation Experts Feel No| Misgiving Over Safety of Plane and Crew. Men Declared Fully Equipped to Conquer Forest in Case of Accident. By the Agcociated Pre BUENOS AIRE wild Brazilian held the Comar. premier long companions in the giant hydroair- plane Santa Maria. Not since the report that De Pinedo hopped off near an Luis de Caceres, in the State of Matto Grosso, Brazil, Thursday after- noon supposedly for Manaos® 1,300 miles away, has anything been heard from him. | Aviation experts here, including Hector Peretti, representative of the factory in Italy where the Santa a’ was bullt, said they had no ivings as to the safety of the ft and its crew. The possibility of not hearing from the flyers for some time had been forecast before De Pinedo started the flight because of lack of communica- tion. When he penetrated the jungles the route to his destination was over the River of Doubt, discovered by Theodore Roosevelt, and across great swamps covered with dense vegeta- tion and reeking with mud deep enough to swallow the plane if it fell. Signor Peretti today was of the be- lief that the aviators were at the town of Matto Grosso, in the State of that name, awaiting favorable condi- tions for a flight to Guajara-Miren, half way between Caceres and Manaos. “No ‘arrangements whatever were made by the Brazilian government for March 19.—The jungles today | of the wheres co de Pined stance fly JUNGLE STILL HIDES PINEDO'S TWO-DAY SILENCE __FRANCESCO DE PINEDO the rescue of De Pinedo in case of ac- cident,” said Peretti. “In any case, the Santa Maria has on board the necessary things for the use of its crew to make their way to civilizatior. Furthermore, the skill and courage of De Pinedo and his two companions are sufficient to expect that it will be easy for them to reach safety by themselves if they are not able to do so in the plane. ““They have food supplies for several days. They have plenty of chocolte and eggs, and, in addition, they could get along by hunting and fishing, hav- ing with them guns and fishing tackle.” Pablo Bozizio, secretary general of the Brazilian National Telegraphs, which also contt he rad: serted (Continued on Page 2, Column 2.) _ PROGERS ORDER BALLOT SEITURE Reed' Committee Seeks Im- pounding of Papers in Four Counties in Pennsylvania. The Reed slush fund committee to. day directed Sergeant at Arms Barry of the Senate to impound the ballots cast in the senatorial election in four counties of Pennsylvania—Delaware, Lackawanna, Lucerne and Schuyl- kill. The committee In'its letter informed the Sergeant-at-arms that it was ready to furnish him with $1,000, although Senator Keyes, chairman of the com- mittee on audit and control, has re- fused to approve further vouchers for expenses of the committee, believ- ing that the authority of the commit- tee died with the end of Congress. Letter to Officer. The letter addressed to the sergeant- at-arms follows: “On March 5, 1927, the select com- mittee acting under the authority con- ferred upon it by Senate resolutions 195 and 324 of the United States Senate Sixty-ninth Congress gave you formal direction to proceed to Dela- ware, Lackawanna, Luzerne and Schuylkill Counties, Pa., and there to take possession of the ballot boxes, voting lists and other documents, all of which are referred to in said order, and also at the same time furnished with proper subpoenas to be served on the custodians of said ballot boxes and documents. “On March 9, 1927, you replied to the communication of the committee, stating among other things, ‘that before carrying out the instructions contained in your letter, it will be necessary for me to be in possession of sufficient funds for the expenses of myself and deputies, and 1 there- fore respectfully request that §1,000 be placed at disposal by the dis- bursing officer of the Senate.’ “Your attention is particularly called to paragraph 4 of Senate Reso- (Continued on Page 2, Column 4.) ACCUSED OF AIDING Bureau of Standards Employe Seid | to Admit Driving Two to Richmond. George Tucas Hamilton, 57 years old, of 1538 Seventeenth street, em- ployed at the Bureau of Standards, was arrested today by Detectives Brodie and Varney for the Arlington County., Va., authorities, for alleged participation in the reported kidnap ing of Raymond Milas Bennet, 4 years old, from in front of the home of Mrs. Mildred Kew, 222 Murray avenue, Vir- ginia Highlands, Wednesday after- noon. Hamilton, according to the detec- dmitted driving the child and i Dr. Milas Bennet, former Washington policeman, to Richmond, Va Wednesday afternoon from in tront of Mrs. Kew's home, where the Jittle one was found playing with Mrs. Kew's children. The father, he told the detectives, sald he was going to | take the child to his home in Ola, C., and send him to the home of | relatives in Smoky Mountain, where it will be impossible for his mother to focate him Detectives complaint of Mrs, mother of the child, Wisconsin avenue, who yesterday tained a warrant from Justice of the Peace H. R. Thor Mrs. Bennett says her next move will be against husband with a view to forcing him to return the child Mrs, Bennett said she was granted custody of the child when the divorce was granted. She added that she had , the court issue a rule against her husband to require him to support the child, but he failed to appear in court | and answer it. Hamilton on Bennett 3 arrested Areme Radio programs—‘Pnge 32 150 TORM AL * INKANSHSTOV Militia Called Out as Mob Seeks to Get at Negro. Stores Looted of Guns. ciated Press. VILLE, Kans., March 19 National Guard sentries, scores of broken windows and a damaged city hall today was the only remalning evidence of the race riot here last night, in which four persons were in- jured when a mob of more than 1,500 persons attempted to remove a negro from the locai jail. Four men were under arrest on charges of looting a hardware store. The negro sought by the mob, after his arrest in connection with an at- tack on two high school girls, was free and county and military authori- tles were confident there would be no repetition of mob activity. Suspect Is Released. The negro, Curtis Smith, was re- leased when officlals said they did not have enough evidence to hold him. Neither girl could identify him as one of the attackers. Two other negroes, Smith, were freed sterday when they satisfled officers they did not participate in the attack. ‘W. D. McCrabb, sheriff of Montgom- ery County, announced that three ne- groes answering the description given by the girls were under arrest in Humboldt, Kans., and would be ques- tioned today. City officials declared their inten- tion of starting an investigation of the mob, and friends of one of the in- jured men declared a damage suit would be filed against the city imme- dlately under the Kansas mob law. which holds the city responsible for mob violence. 2,000 in Crowd. Three men constitute a mob under the law and there were virtually 2,000 men, women and children about the City' Hall when three attempts were made to take Smith from the officers. Every window in the City Hall was broken out when bricks, rocks and other missiles were hurled at the en- trenched officers. Smith was taken from room to room in the hall and finally was shoved Into a cupola while the sherift invited the mob to search the buildings. Troops A and G, Tola and Yates Center, Kans., National Guard Cav- alry, arrived at 4 o'clock this morn- ing to reinforce B Troop. Detachments patrolled the streets and the negro section. _ Infuriated by report (Continued on Pag arrested with of_the attack 2, Column 2.) MOTHER'S WILL MAY HALT PAYMENT OF SHORTAGE Left $30,000 to Go to Accused Bank Cashier’s Children After His Death. By the Assoclated Press W. Va., March 19.— A mother’s will bequeathing her prop- erty to her son’s children after his death may stop payment of alleged shortages in a bank cashier's ac- counts, The will of the mother of W. E. Nelson, former cashier of the Bank of Lewlisburg, sentenced to 10 years in the State penitentiary for alleged shortage of funds, was found in an old trunk on the eve of his departure to serve his sentence, according to infor- mation received at the State banking department here. The will, which has been offered for probate before the Greent County Court, leaves her property, valued at $30,000, to Nelson’s children after his death. ' Nelson had assigned the prop- erty to the bank to pay the shortage. The bank has postponed sale of the property, pending decision on the will which, if accepted, will stop the sale. Sea Cooks Go on Strike. TOKIO, March 19 (®).—A steike for higher ages and bette treatment has been declared by the cooks in.the employ of the Nippon Yusen Kaisha, big Japanese steamship line. As a result, the Tenyo Maru and several other vessels have postponed sailings. TORNADOES KILL 2 Toll of Dead Likely to Be In- creased as Rescuers Hunt for Missing. FLAMES SWEEP RUINS | Sixteen Bodies Recovered at Green Forest, Ark.—Denver, in Same State, Counts Nine Victims. By the Associated Press. JOPLIN, Mo., March 19.—More than a score of persons were killed and at least 50 injured, many severely, by tornadoes and high winds, which swept southwestern Missouri and northwestern Arkansas iast night. Sixteen were known dead, 12 were reported missing and 30 were injured at Green Forest, Ark., by a tornado, which wrecked the business district and devastated nearby farms. Fire followed the tornado, destroying a canning factory and several houses. Nine were reported killed at Den- vey, Ark., a village about 12 miles northeast of Green Forest, which is 100 miles south of here. Property Damage Heavy. Two persons were injured and build- ings were damaged by a tornado near Marshfield, in Webster County, Mo. Hail and high ‘winds also damaged buildings and crops in Howell and Oregon counties Reports indicated losses would run heavy throughout the Green Forest district. Special trains were en route to the area today, carrying doctors, nurses and supplies. The storm apparently centered at Green Forest, where upwards of 700 houses and stores were destroyed or badly damaged, Streets were filled with debris, which hampered rescue crews. Two churches were converted into dressing stations and one later was designated as a morgue. Sixteen bod- ies had been recovered early today. As the storm severed power lines as well as telephone and telegraph wires, the rescuers stumbled about with lanterns, tracing the cries of injured or marking spots where people were believed pinned or buried by stone and timbers. School House Demolished. Persons arriving at Eureka Springs, Ark., 25 miles northwest of Green Forest, said the Missouri & North Arkansas Railroad station, an elemen- tary school house and a bank building were among structures virtually demolished. Hail and wind shattered wind sh red wi in {Continued on Page 4, Column 5.) AMERICAN RANCHER SLAIN BY MEXIGANS George Holmes Sentenced in 1919 for Aiding Villa. Companion Killed. By the Associated Press. EL PASO, Tex., March 19.—George Holmes, 64, former El Paso Valley rancher, convicted here in 1919 and sentenced to five years in the Federal Penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kans., for conspiring to export war muni- tions to the late Gen. Francisco (Pancho) Villa in Mexico without a license, and Jose Ramos were slain in the mountains of Chihuahua on March 16. News of the double slaying was re- ceived in El Paso last night by Fausto E. Miranda, attorney for Holmes in El Paso, from Holmes' widow, who failed to give any of the details of the killing of her husband and Ramos. Blame Put on Bandits. Miranda, who has represented Holmes for about four years, ex- pressed the belief that he was slain by Mexican bandits while taking some rich ore to the West Coast. The telegram to Miranda was sent from San Jose de Gracia Sinaloa. The place where the slaying took place was not mentioned. Holmes was owner of about 14 rich mines in the State of Chihuahua near Ta Cumbre de San Manuel, five days’ horseback journey from Parral, Mi- randa said The discovery of the rich mines made Holmes prominent in Chihua- hua, the vein assaying as high as 25 ounces in gold and 76 Kilograms of silver to the ton. Holmes, who was well known in both El Paso and Juarez, was in Juarez last month for a confer- ence with Manuel Gonzalez, who was associated Wwith him in the mining business. He left Juarez for his mines a month ago. During his stay in Juarez he negotiated for the in- vestment of a large amount of money |fn the mining proposition, Gonzalez said. Trusted Aide of Villa. He is survived by his widow, one brother in San Antonio and another brother in Lima, Peru, South America Hblmes, who is said to have been one of Villa’s most trusted lieutenants in the United States during the lat- ter's rebel activities in Mexico, with nk Miller, nest B. Stadler, Dick | Harrell and John Henry Minehan, was convicted in United States Dis- triet Court here in 1919 on a charge of theft of ordnance and ammunition from the Government. Conviction also included the charge of conspiracy to export war munitions to Mexico without a license. The ammunition and machine guns, alleged to have been stolen from the United States Government, and which were supposed to have been shipped for Villa, did not reach Mexico. De- thelr | partment of Justice agents intercepted! here, ki the shipment oy American soil. ¥ INARKANSAS: MANY. HURT N SSOUR AND HAMPER SEARCH | CANTONESE INVADE NANKING FORTRESS N SHANGHA DRVE 1 Thousands OFFICIALS SILENT ONTELLEZ RETURN State Department Clamps Lid Down on Discussions. Conference Expected Soon. Despite the apparently serene view of the Mexican situation assumed by administration officials, particularly in the last few days, no development from State Department sources curred today to lift the veil t {shrouded with a touch of mystery precipitate visit to Mexico City of Manuel C. Tellez, the Mexican Am- bassador, and his rather abrupt re turn here late yesterday. Ambassador Tellez's return to Washington, simultaneously with as- surances from the White House { spokesman that there has been a ces- sation, temporarily at least, of confis- cation’ of American property by the Mexican government, served to bolster the Hope that the difficulties that have arisen between the two Governments over the oil and land laws are open to peaceful adjustment. Will See Kellogg Soon. At the Mexican embassy it was said that the Ambassador would seek an early interview with Secretary of State Kellogg. Up to a late hour to- day, however, the envoy had made no request for an appointment, and State Department officials would throw no light whatever on the situation. | “Whatever the real purport of the Ambassador’s recent visit to Mexico, where he consulted with President Calles on relations with this Govern- ment, which were admittedly grave, it is evident that he has forestalled any possible break in diplomatic relations. Until his anticipated conference with Mr. Kellogg, if even then, the real situation with regards to Mexican- American relations will be withheld trom the public. The Ambas himself declined to discuss affairs today and the State Department clamped down its lid on discussion of Mexican relations even tighter than heretofore. Secretary Kellogg is adhering to a strict policy of silence on all matters affecting the two countries and no attempt was made at the State Department to give any interpretation to the extremely optimistic views expressed by the White House spokesman. To do so, of course, would have been a breach of official etiquette. Appeals Meet No Response. Whatever effect the approaching ex- piration of the arms embargo treaty may have on the Mexican situa- tion at this time is another matter which administration officials are par- tieularly reluctant to discuss. Appeals to the State Department gainst ll_h. ing the embargo on arms to Mexico have met with no response, nor have similar pleas for arbitration. It is the position of the administration that the principle at stake in the oil and land laws dispute is not a matter for arbitration, but is one for negotiation between the two governments in- volved. With respect to the embargo on arms, the American Government is in a peculiar situation. It is rather frankly admitted on all sides that the principal reason why the Calles gov- ernment has been able to maintain ftself against revolutionary elements is the fact that the rehel forces can- not obtain arms from the United States. Treaty Lapses in 10 Days. If the State Department continues the embargo on arms, the United States will assume manifestly the re- Ssponsibility of continuing in power a Clovernment which the State Depart- ment has intimated rather strongly is sowing the seeds of Soviet propa- ganda in Latin America. "'he arms embargo treaty lapses in about 10 days, after which each gov- ernment will have a month in which to negotiate for its renewal or con- tinuance. No indication has come from the State Department as to what course this Government intends to pursue, though it is apparent that the embargo will not be lifted now. The White House statement to the effect that there has been a tempo- rary abandonment of Mexican confis- cation of American property opens the \ay to belief that ample opportunity presents itself for further negotiations. The property issue is admittedly the heart of the present controversy with Mexico, and as long as there is a possi- bility of this being adjusted the two countries are nowhere bordering on an imminent break in relations. . High School Girl Is Suicide. JACKSONVILLE, Fla., March 19 (#)—Leaving a note which said only “Good-by, mamma,” Dorry Mae Mc- Leod, 14-year-old high school student lled herself yesterday by fir- charge into her chest. dor ing a shotgun PRESIDENT PREDICTS TAX CUT, BUT URGES DELAY IN PLANNING Estimated $500,000.000 Surplus Would| Warrant Reduction, But Executive Favors Time to By the Associated Press. ident Coolidge believes that the cpayer, just recovering from the worry of filling out an income report, stands a good chance of having his obligations to the Government reduced before this job is tackled again next year., He feels that the estimated Treasury surplus, probably in excess of $500 000,000 for the present fiscal year end- ing June 30, would warrant a paring of revenue rates by Congress unless some unforeseen contingency should arise. The President’s view, made known at the White House yesterday, is based on the recent prediction by Sec- retary Mellon that the Government's income would run about half a billion dollars above its expenditures. The Secretary several days ago indicated the income tax collection for the first quarter of this calendar year exceeded Gauge Business. by approximately $100,000,000 the col- lections for the ecorresponding period last year, when the present law went into effect. While Mr. Coolidge proposes to let the Treasury and the House ways and means committee, which has origi- nal jurisdiction in tax matters, take the initiative in deciding how much of a reduction may be effected and on what rates it would apply, he does believe that the drafting of a new bill should be deferred until Novem- ber, a month before Congress con- venes. This would enable a more accurate gauging of business conditions and the state of the Treasury, considered highly important by the President, as he has been advised by one revenue expert that a 10 per cent slump in business activity would wipe out the prospective surplus. The plan is in line with views of congressional leaders and Chairman (Continued on Page 4, Column 2.) CHERY BLOSSONS MAKE 157 DEBT Warnings of Pessimistic Weather Forecasters Dis- regarded by Buds. ‘With Spring in the offing and entirely unmindful of bad weather warnings by pesimistic weather fore- casters, Washington's cherry blossoms made their 1927 debut today—with whimsical suddenness and becoming modesty that startled officlaldom and citizenry alike. Yesterday the trees seemed almost ready to burst into bloom, but observ- ers scarcely let themselves believe that the big event actually was at hand. The warm ministrations of a kindly sun and tropiclike zephyrs, however, stirred the infant buds to break their final bonds of restraint, and almost overnight they fared forth with their message that the season of romance is here. Officials Prepare for Rush. Today, as the news was spread with magic rapidity, 3 in Potomac Park became the mecc for hundreds of motorists and pede: trians intent on viewing the entranc- ing wreath of shell-pink petals which nature was unfolding as a diadem for Her Royal Highness, Miss Spring. Pafk authorities, advised officially that the youthful trees from old Japan were blossoming, made hasty prepar: tions today to care for the crowds e: pected to flock to the Tidal Basin to- morrow—weather permitting. The un- heralded bursting into bloom of the blossoms took them rather by sur- prise, although it was predicted that the blooms would appear this season earller than usual, due to the excep- tionally mild weather. Some received news of the bl with a feeling of regret, in vi forecasts of decidedly colder weather for Monda; th opening _ day (Continued on Page 2, Column 7.) MORE SUGAR CANE BURNS ON CUBAN PLANTATIONS 9,500,000 Pounds Destroyed, But No Effect on Harvest Out- put Is Foreseen. By the Assoclated Press. HAVANA, March 19.—In Camaguey province yesterday 9,500,000 pounds of sugar cane was burned. Recent fires in the province burned 500,000,000 pounds, but most of it was saved in good condition for sugar grinding. Planters in regions where fires have occurred are being put to the added expense of cutting down all seared cane so as to save the roots from being killed. All the sugar mills are working under the highest pressure to save all the cane possible. Owing to the fact that a limitation of 4,500,000 tons of sugar, out of a possible prodi n of 6,500,000 tons, has been plaged by the government on the presel bharve the damage by fire will the season’s AUTO LOAN FIRM Manager Asks Immunity. Evidence Secured Against Three Companies. Within less than six hours after Cor- poration Counsel Francis H. Stephens ad i ed a call for the clients of “au- tomebile finance” companies here to submit possible grievances to him, his office was supplied with charges against three different such establish- ments, and with an offer from one concern to go out of business immedi- ately if promised immunity from ution on loans made in the past. tephens declared today that E against the three money- lending companies seemed to be clear- cut violations of the District of Colum- bia usury law: Advises Civil Action. He advised the complainants to bring immediate civil action against the companies in question, and prom- ised that when additional charges expects within the next week, he would institute criminal proceedings. Mr. Stephens has taken the stand that clients of companies that have charged seemingly exorbitant rates of interest on loans undoubtedly can recover these overcharges from the al- leged offenders if suit is brought in a civil court. In this way he hopes to open up a double-barreled offensive against loan sharks with victims on one trigger and his office on the other. The offer from the one company to close shop abruptly came late yes- terday afternoon, Refuses to Grant Immunity. ‘The manager of this concern frank- ly admitted, Mr. Stephens said, that his own lawyer had advised him they “were all violating the law,” and had added that the best thing to be done was to quit business promptly. “I told this man,” Mr. Stephens | added, “that apparently he had a mighty sensible lawyer, and that he | would do well to follow his advice. But as for promising any immunity, I let him understand that where pros- ecutions were justified they would be instituted, let the lightning strike where it may. We are out to end these practices. SALM TO RESUME SUIT. Couht’s Plea for Separation From Wife Up Monday. NEW YORK, March 19 (#).—The | trial of the separation suit brought by Count Ludwig Salm von Hoog- straeten against his wife, the former Millicent Rogers, was ordered resumed | next Monday by Supreme Court Jus: tice Levy yesterday. A report was circulated several days ago that the count had received between $350,000 and $500,000 in set- tlement of the action and that the . case would be discontinued. OFFERS T0 CLOSE have been filed, which he confidently | | of Defeated i Troops Tramp Into Port | From Sungkiang Zone. |WHOLE PROVINCE’S FALL EXPECTED IN 24 HOURS Wukiang, Key to Soochow, Report- ed Seized by Southerners. Labor Murders Continue. By the Associated I SHANGHAL, ¢ left wing of the S defending Shanghai on the front, to the southwest, k and the Northern troops are retreating toward this city is apparently open for the (' to gain Shanghai. BY PAUL WRIGHT, By Cable to The Star and the Chi News. Copyright, 192 SHANGHAI, March 1 ‘The fort- ress of Yuhwatei, commanding the south gate of Nanking, has fallen to the Cantonese and apparently there is nothing to, stop the Southerners’ entrance into that city. (Nanking, capital of Kiangsu Province, lies at the intersection of the Yangtze River and the railway running from Shang- hai to North China. Its possession has been held necessary to deferse of Shanghai). The military situation in the Shang- hai-Nanking area has been altered during the last 24 hours. Conserva- tive elements here expect the Can- tonese Nationalist army to be In oc- cupation of Shanghai within two or three days, owing partly to military victory and partly to the collapse or defection of Northern troops. Some apprehension is felt regarding a gen- eral strike in Shanghai at any time. Fall Seen in 24 Hours. ‘The China Courier, a local Chinese- edited paper, sees the probability that Shanghai, Soochow and Nanking, and with them the whole of this (Kiangsu) province, will fall into the hands of the Nationalists within the next 24 hours. The Courier is openly friendly toward Canton. Two weeks ago it announced that Shanghai had fallen to the Cantonese. However, today's news indicates that the war has been favoring the Southerners. Thousands of dejeeted troops have been today tramping through the suburbs of Shanghai from the direc- tion of Sungkiang, 28 miles south of { Shanghai, where fighting is reported to be severe. These soldiers are iden- tified by Chinese as defeated troops of Gen. Chang Chung-Chang, the Shantung (Northern) war lord, who 'came to save Shanghai, Among the | soldiers are numbers of coolles car- | rying burdens. Shanghai hears on apparently good {authority that Wukiang, called the “key to Soochow,” was really taken by the Cantonese yesterday, the defeated Northern troops backing up to Chiapu, closer to Soochow. (Soochow is &4 miles west of Shanghai on the Shang- hai-Nanking Railway and Wukiang is about 14 miles south of Soochow.) Nanking Residents Flee. Fighting in the Minhang region, southeast of Sungkiang, began at & o'clock yesterday morning. In the Nanking region, the South- lerners reached Yuhwatei outside the "(Continued on Page 2, Column 1. s erur hoarr rhe ago Da TWO BOYS ARE ARRESTED FOR FALSE FIRE ALARMS Five Calls Traced to Vacant House Telephone, and Police, Waiting, Nab Colored Brothers. After tracing five false fire alarm telephone calls to a telephone in a va- cant house at 664 Acker street north- east, detectives secreted themselves in the house last night and nabbed two colored brothers, William Foreman, 16 old, and Malvin Foreman, 11 vears old, both of 636 Acker street northeast, just as Malvin was in the {act of telephoning a false alarm, it was alleged. Detectives James E. Lowrey and { Robert Langdon of the Ninth Precinct, who arrested the boys, stated that | they admitted telephoning five false alarms. They were sent to the House of Detention pending hearing next listened, close by the phone, they said, they heard the younger brother call the Fire Depart- ment and ask that firemen be sent to 721 Sixth street northeast. | CONSUL FOUND DEAD. Cuban Official Beliéved Victim of Heart Disease in St. Louis. ST. LOUIS, Mo., March 19 (@.— Jose Antonio Munoz, Cuban consul here, was found dead in ‘he consuwar office late yesterday. He had appar- ently died of heart disease, police said. He was 45 years old. An officer found the consul lying on the floor beside his desk after of- fice hours. Munoz was transferred to St. Louis last August from Norfolk, Va. He lived here with his wife and son. In the capacity of newspaper man he was on the staffs of EI Mundo and several other Havana newspapers. ACCUSE FRENCH GENERAL Deputies Then Vote Confidence in Indo-China Governor., PARIS, March 19 (#).—An attack on Alexander Varenne, Socialist deputy and governor general of French Indo-China, in the Chamber of Depu- ties last night, for certain abuses alleged to have been committed under his administration, precipitated a stormy debate, which lasted until 1 o'clock this morning. Prerlnler Ponicare then made a re- assuring statement and easily tained the vote of confidence 0.:' ich he asked. "