New Britain Herald Newspaper, February 2, 1917, Page 1

HERALD BEST OF ALL LOCAL NEWSPAPERS PRICE THREE CENTS. NEW BRITAIN HERA LD 3 “ADS” ME NEW BR.ITAIN, CONNECTICUT, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1917. —SIXTEEN PAGES. ESTABLISHED - FORTY BFLIEVED KILLED IN WRECKING OF BUILDING BY 3 Ealmcr the wreckage. i +Chicago Apartment House, Containing Sixteen Flats, Reduc- | ed to Debris PEOPLE IMPRISONED UNDER FROZEN MUD Babies Tossed to Safety From Win- dows—Families Separated by Blast —Detonat'on Felt in Wide Arca— Fire Adds to Horror of Spectators— Poverty-stricken Families Flece .ta Safety. Chicago, Feb. 2.—Forty persons are sibelicved to be dead and as many more injured as the result of a gas explosion and fire that wrecked a tenement building at 813 West Four- teenth street in the heart of the West Stde early today. Injured persons and residents for~ed from their homes scantily clad suffered miserably in a temperaturs of ten degrees below zero, and the cold hindered the work of firemen and rescuers Burning gas from a main prevented search of the ruins and at daybrcak only two bodies had been recovercd, those of an unidenti- fled man about 50 years old, who was crushed when the walls crumbled, and Mrs. Charlette Stittwery. The explosion was, heard for miles. “@By some freak, buildings a few yards away were undamaged, while win- dows were broken many blocks away. Children Tossed to Safety. i The explosion wrecked one end of ‘the tenement buildirg, which con- tained twenty-four flats, sixteen of which were occupled. The flames bhurst throughout the lower story im- uediately. ; | When firemen arrived they were able to rescue a few children who Wwho were dropped by their parents ‘Arom the upper windows. Some adults also were saved in this way. A group ot railroad switchmen, who happened “on the scene in advance of the fire- en, were reported to have rescued ' teen children. At daybreak Fire Chiet O’Connor said the ruins were so hot that it would be many hours before search of the wreckage could be made and the loss of lite ascertained. The explosion {s believed to have followed the bursting of a gas main in the basement of the tenement house. The water thrown upon the ruins froze almost as fast as it fell. Many whose homes were in no danger from the flames, cr who heard the explo- sions, carried their Lcusehold goods ~into the strect. Pavements and side- walks were littered with cradles, chairs and tables, meagre exhibits tes- tifying to the poverty of the neighbor- ; Thood. Sixty-seven in Building. . A score or more of persons were {injured in adjoining structures by broken glass or in their rush to escape {into the street. Morris Feldman, janitor of the { building, said that sixty-seven persons were, or should have been, in the Dbuilding last night. Of these he said forty were missing and probably dead. To extingnish the fire it was neces- so¥y to dig down to the gas main, ' This, owing to the frozen ground, was slow work and seven hours after the explosion the main had not been -_reached. Six adults, three of them believed to have sustained fractured skulls by Jeaping from the crumpling timbers of the structure, also were taken to » hospital. ““:\ cfll‘l’ sent throughout the district brought a number of persons who volunteered to care for the scores of homeless persons who fled from their wrecked rooms scantily clad. Pinned Under Wreckage. Water freezing almost as fast as it fell, formed a thick glaze over the sreckage and still further hampered stie work of the rescuers and firemen. “Cries heard gave rise to a belief tl:\nt & number of persons might be alive Physicians said, owever, that they could not survive Jong in the zero temperature. The force of the explosion was felt throughout the entire west side aof the ity and gave rise to rumors that an® earthquake had occurred. Every room in the Garfield. on an opposite corner, was camaged by the flerce ex- plosion, whil, structures nearby were almost completely wrecked. In many instances the entire front of houses were crushed in and the streets for a milc around were littered with broken | gliess. " ‘Storles of survivors being cared for U@t rescue stations tended to sub- stantiate the fears of a heavy loss of flfe. At the Henry Booth settle- gent house, a block away, Mrs. Rosie (Kilowsky sa'd she believed her hus pand, son ani daughter had perished. FThe entire family was caught " neat _sky was taken from the wreckage un- *consriou‘ Joseph Bielk, 12 year old, >said his father, George, h (Continued on Tenth Page.) be- | h the wreckage but Mrs. Kilow- | EXPLOSION OF LEAKING GAS MARKET STEADIES AS ~ SHOCK WEARS OFF Uneasy at Opening, Ex- change Begins to Show Signs ef Courage. 9 New York, Feb, 2.—Stocks con- tinued uneasy and feverish at today's opening in the absence of encourag- ing developments in (he internation- al situation. Losses were registered by such prominent specialties as Atlantic Gulf and West Indies, Texas company and Industrial Alcohol while other issues, notably Erie and Crucible Steel, were | unchanged from yesterday's lowest level. Steel was unchanged at the outset. A few impor:iant gains included Read- ing, American Locomotive and Beet Sugar. Trading was relatively moderato and without any of the excitement of vesterday. The market developed greater ac- tivity and strength bLefore the end of +he first hour, U. S.,Steel rose to 104 1-8 after declining to 101 1-8. Marine preferred a point, alcohol’ 2 points with as much for Studebaker. Rails also improved appreciably. There w: renewed, liquidation in the cotton market today and May contracts wirhin the first ten min- utes sold off 14.60 or 54 points from last night's closing. ‘While narrow and unsettled, the market was less active than yester- day. The decline was followed by a quick rally. Chicago, Feb. 2.—Uncertainty, but no unusual excitement, was shown at the opening today in the wheat trade. Initial prices ranged from 1-4 decline to an advance of 2 cents with May at $1.62 to $1.63 and July at $1.42 to $1.43 1.2, R Danger of a break of diplomatic re- lations with Germany was the in- fiwence: to- which the greatest atten- “tlon-was given. New_ York, Feb. 2.—The board of managers of the New’' York cotton exchange at a meeting today decid- ed that it was “to the best interests of the trade” not to close the e change ~because of the internationai situation. . VETO IN SENATE BLOCKED Agreement Reached {o Bring Up Re- passage of Immigration Bill Next Monday Afternoon. ‘Washington, Feb. 2.—Reconsidera- tion of the immigration bill, passecd over the president’s veto by the house last night, was blocked in the sen- ate today by Senator Reed of Mis- souri, but agreement was reached to proceed to a vote on re-passage of the measure at 4 p. m., next Monday. SEVEN TODAY'S RECORD British, Belgian, Spanish and Nor- wegian Shipowners Suffer From In- tensive Campaign of Submarine. London, Feb. 2, 10:05 a. m.—The Norwegilan steamer Portia, of 1,127 tons gross, has been sunk, Lloyds shipping agency announces. The crew was landed. The steamer Ravensbourne has been sunk, Lloyds also announces, Three members of the crew were lost. The Norwegian steamer Hecla of 524 tons is also reported sunk. The steamer Ravensbourne is not listed in avilable shipping records. The sinking of the following steam- ers was announced by Lloyds: Essonite, British, 589 tons. Algerta, Spanish, 2,116 tons gross. Violet, British trawler. Marcelle, Belgian trawler, sunk by gunfire, crew landed. LINER HELD IN PORT No Mail or Passenger Service From Christiana. Christiana, Feb. 2, via London, 1:30 p. m.—The regular daily mail and pas- senger service between Norway and England was stopped today, while the Norwegian American liner Kristinia- | fjord, which was schedulued to sail | today, is being held for further orders. The orwegian post office is declin- | ing to accept mail for the United States i as both the direct route and that by | way of England are closed. The shortage of coal has reached serfous stuge. weeks' suppl TO SUPPORT PRESIDE Columbus, 0., Peb. | mous vote the low! isluture this morning adopted a reso- lution calling upon « ns of Glio to <tand behind President Wilson during the present international crisis. a There is only a three on hand By @ unoni- house of the leg- MAP OF DANGER ZONE ESTABLISHED BY GERMANY i I 4 pe Has Been Sent to TRICT SECRECY IS ANSING’S STAN Only Break in Silence Is Elade By Secr' When He Says Definitely That No Mess German Governm Regarding Submarines |VON BERNSTORFF EXPECTS TO BE GIVEN PASSPORTS AND SENT HQ 3~ AUSTRIA-HUNGARY, lllll | I According to the notification issued by the German governmgnt, sur- rounding the British Isles and bor- dering the coasts of France, Bel- gievm and Holland is a ‘‘barred zone” (indicated by black aeas on the map) twenty nautical miles wide. The boundaries of a secondary ‘‘barred 1 zone,” shutting off the British Isles and yunning as far scuth as Cape Finisterre, on the northwestern coast of Spain, aro indicated by a heavy black line. This zone is pierced by the route to Falmouth, as laid down for one American ship a week in the annex to the German note. O DANGER ZONES RND_SAFETY ROUTES PROPOSED 8Y €ERMANY In the Mediterrancan the safety zone leading to Greek territorial wa- ters is indicated by thie white areas shown in the map of that sea. The territorial waters of France, Italy and the British possessions in the Mediterranean and - apparently in- cluded in the larred zones. SPANISH ARMY AND NAVY ARE PREPARED Are Given Instructions “Required by Gravity of Situation” PREMIER IS DEFIANT, Declares “Life of the Nation Must Not, STERN NECESSITY, IS GERMANS PLEA Say Engiand Could Be Starved Into Submission in Few Months Public Appears Unanimous in Support Cannot, Will Not Be Interrupted— | ©f Radical Measures at Same Time Has Willard in Lengthy Conference, Lasting Uil 2 in the Morning. Madrid, Feb. Via . Paris, 10:30| Berlin, Feb. 1, vai London, Feb. 2.— a. m.—The minister of the interior | The attitude of the German people in has announced that the war and navy . respect to the new submarine policy, departments have given the naval and S0 far as ascertained today from con- military authorities instructions re-| versations with persons in various quired by the gravity of the circum-!walks of life, in and out of politics, stances. Premier Romanes was in jg that the inauguration of an un- conference with United States Am- tricted submarine i) i i bassador Willard from midnight until Festricted s campaign is dic- 2 o'clock. He also received the presi- tated by stern necessity and for self dent of the Mediterranean Maritime preservation and that in such a life Federation, who informed him that and death struggle no regard can the federation had ten ships at sea longer be paid to other considerations. with safe conducts given by German; FEven a socialist speaker in the consuls. Later the premier announced Reichstag, commenting today, is re- that although Spain had entered a ported to have aligned the party be- difficult hour, the government would hind thq government on this decision. neither close parliament mor suspend | Whatever was said in committee was the constitutional hearings. He de-. corfidential but in outside circles one clared that the administration would! hears estimates of the number of sub- not discuss the German note in either marines running to several hundred house and urged every onme to keeP and the opinion is expressed that the calm. In spite of the premier's state-!| tonnage sunk monthly can be in- ments that discussion of the German' creased to approximately a ~ much note in the cortes would not be €oun- Jureer amount. Those who base their tenanced by the government, deputies oninion of the merits of the decision and senators interested in ShiPPINE. gqeclare that two or three months of informed him that they intend to in-J gperatigns on this scale would be suf- terpellate the minister ' ficlent provided the United States King Alfonso will return to Madrid | would not be willing to diseuss ferme tonight from Granda. £k 5 Premicr Determined. Addressing the chamber of deputies Premier Romanes said: “Yesterday afternoon the ambassa- | dor of the Central empires handed the | Spanish government a communication making known the terms of the note relative to the blockade of England, France, Italy and the eastern Medi- | terranean. “The government cannot deny the great importance of this fact to Spain but life of the nation most not, can- not, will net be interrupted.” An- plause greeted this statement by the premier. R A e e e vernment,” he added |¢ n regard to naval warfare is B9 |in the interest of neutrality. It says: wwishes to keep in touch with parlia- | 1P ! 3 ‘ ’ 3 The blockade of neutral territor: . . during the difficult y mient becanas £ demands sacrifices from neutrals but 's which we are passing, it can B 0 ::g:'lésno better :\.uxui)ur,\' than parlia- k“f““““l pars made in their behalf. ment, representing the nation as a | Germany whole. But you will understand that we are not in a position to give our | obinicn publicly or definitely what shall adopt or the answer we make to the notifications made to Appreciating Probability of Break With America. 9 will precipitate a crisis in German- American relations is recoznized, but the belief is often expressed that the situation is not hopeless. In the Reichstag, committee discus- sion revolves largely around the ques- tion of the prospective result of =« campaign based upon the number and efficiency of submarines. Fighting for Neutrals. Berlin, Thursday, Feb. 1, via Lon- don, Feb. 2.—The Kreuzzertung takes the (Continued on Fifteenth Page) Canary Istanders § Hune London. Feb. 2,1:35 p. m A ter despatch from Madrid todavy | the Political Federation of Medite: {k ler tonight. Saturday and continued cold. (SO (Continued on Fifteenth Pa U. S. IS STUMBLING BLOGK The great likelinood that the step ' standpoint that Germany’s de- | fighting for them, as for | MANY AMERICANS IN DANGER ZONE Philadelphia, Kroonland and Chi- ' cago Nearing European Harbors SHIPPERS ~ AWAIT WORD Sailing Schedules Will Not Be Com- piled Until Governments Are Heard From—Extra Guards Man Batteries in New York Forts, | New York, Feb. 2.—Owners of Am- erican vessels in trans-atlantic trade probably will follow the example of the ship owners of the Entente na- tions and abide by the instructions of their governments. They awaited to- day the reply of the state department to a message sent by P. A. S. Franklin, president of the International Moer- chant Marine, as to future movements of steamships of the American line. Unless orders to the contrary are received from Washington the Ameri- can line steamer St. Louis will sail from here Saturday for Liverpool, her regular port of destination. The ship of the American line whose safe arrival is awaited with the great- est anxiety is the Philadelphia, bound from New York to *Liverpool. Her port engine is out of commission, due to the breaking of a crankshaft last Saturday, and it is believed she cannot make port until late Monday. The Philadelphia carries 148 passengers, of whom thirty-five are Americans. Among those on board are Mrs. Whitelaw Reid, Misses Helen and Ethel Crocker of San Francisco, John Eager, U. 8. A, and Captain Roald Amundsen, arctic explorer. The Kroonland, of this line left Liv- | on Wednesday | crpoal for New York with 191 passengers. It is believed that halt of these are Americans. The French liner Chicago, which carries a number of American passen- gers, is believed to be due at Bor- deaux today. _Another vessel the Baltic of the White Star line, hich steamed from this port Monday for Liverpool. The St. Paul which left | Liverpool last Saturday is believed to be outside the danger zone by this { time. Quict on Interned Vessels. The excitement caused here by the action of Federal officials and vpolice !in increasing the guard that is watch- ing the thirty-one ships of Germa and Austria laid up in the harbor subsided today. The authorities an- nounced that they could find no evi- dence of preparations to disable these vessels or to make a dash for the high sea Army officials commanding the forts that guard New York harbor have de- talled extra guards to the most fm- portant hatteries s age received here to- from the American line steam- Philadelphia said that at noon the vessel was 919 niles of Fastnet, Treland, and expected (Continued on Fifteenth Page) NO COMMUNICATION had been sent to Germany. FOR MORE SUBMARINES Poindexter Would Have Eighty for Defense and Twenty for Flect Op- erations. Washington, Feb. 2. —Immediate construction of 100 submarines, elghty for coast defense and twenty for fleet operations, was proposed in a special bill introduced today by Senator Poindexter of Washington. These would be in addition to the eighteen submarines proposed in the regular naval bill now pending in the house. PROBE OF COTTON EXCHANGE Senate Passes Resolution Directing At- & wmy.(iqr\qg]\j@ Imu-q \\'a;pgl,qr Anti-trust Law is Being Violated. Washington, Teh. 2.—Without de- bate the senate today passed a resolu- tion of Senator Smith of South Caro- lina directing the attorney goneral to investigate buying .and selling oper- ations of the New York cotton ex- change, to ascertain if the methods employed are in restraint of trade. SEEKING REDUCTIONS Until 2:30 o’Clock This Boarg of Relief Ilad Recelved Only Afternoon Scven Compaints on Assessments. But one additional complaint garding the assessment of property was Teceived by the board of relief up to 2:30 o'clock this afternoon. Gus- tave H. Samlow, whose property at 389 Arch street was listed at $18,000, asks a reduction of $2,000. Late yesterday August Siis of Ken- sington appeared to ask that $400 be taken off an assessment against his property valued at §$2,000 by the as- Sessors. Samuel , Grofsdow and Samuel Grofsdof asked a reduction of $300 on a $4,000 assessment against property at 135 Lafayette street, and a reduction of $300 on an = for $3,400 on property at streete. A year ago the number plaints received was less than 100 and the reductions granted totaled only between $3,000 and $4,000. re- 63 of com- UNDERWRITING SU Flcllig Olav is Ordered to Remain at New York. London, Feb. 2.—A despatch to the Times underwriting has been suspended by the Danish war insur- ENDED. Copenhagen says that temporarily ance office. The United Shipping company has ordered ships in English ports to Scandanavian-American liner Hellig Olav, ncw in New York, has been or- jhad heen sant leave before Sunday if possible. The | .5 hag been reccived from i tria. | SENT TO GERMAN Washington Feb. 2.—Secretary Lansing authos ized the statement today that so far no communicatiog The secretary refused to say whether any inst! tions had been sent to Ambassador Gerard and de clined to make any statement for the delay nouncing the course of the United States. He said he was unprepared to disclose wheth any announcement would be made today or not. in a 2 Washington, Feb, The new marine crisis is seemed to ha solved itself into another day of ing. b Tonight or tomorrow the An people may know what course government has decided upon swer Germany's declaration of © stricted submarine warfare. President Wilson and the i few who know his plans con their silencé today but it was™ pected that this afternoon the . inet would be informed of what. have been taken or are propos On every hand officials wereis vinced that nothing less than a. /b in diplomatic relations is the ultis development. It may be delayed, they all expect it to come unless is some wholly unexpected devs ment in the situation, There is no dgubt howa\er Secretary Lansi ared a dotumes i Bat Whethe_/ was not kdown. ére seemcd howevef, that sgri no doubt, 1 L munication had gone to Ambass Gerard probably warning him of steps the United States felt compel to take. It was expected that some nounzement would .be made from’ state department or the White Ho during the day or certainly tonigh Believe Action is Determined, United States action in reply Germany's declaration of unrestrie submarine warfarc has been defing determined by President Wilson, cording to official heliel here tod What the course iz or when it willy acted upon remain undisclosed. The White housge and state depd ment maintained strict scerecy former occasions when notes been dispatched to Berlin and ceipt there wa lication here. g There was no indication thath communication had been sent to G many, however, n many of clals belief a = has been determin upon, either announcing intentlon break diplomatic relations if Ame jecan rights are violated by any of a submarine or actually severl relations forthwith. | An outline of the president’s cou at the meeting today was believd possible and Chairman Stone of M senate foreign relatigns committee pected to sce the prasident this aft noon. Apparently no plans had been mad for the president to address con and high officials close to the pi dent stated ihat no communicatiol either to Berlin or Count Von Bernstorff, the Germal ambassador, who seemed to exped severance of diplomatic relations. Col. E. M. House Jeft here last nig! after spending the day in conferenc with President Wilson and seves close advisers of the president. The state department has made m reply to the telegram from the intel national merchant marine asking in! structions for movements of Ameri can ship: No announcement similar to s Ger: Ang dered to remain there. INSPECL GERMAN SHIPS. Go Interned Liners. Boston Officials Over Boston, Feb. 2. —Customs today inspected the si German ships the beginning of the war, Eli Perry, acting collector of the port, sald the inspection wus a Toutine matter and in linc with the general policy of the govermment in looking atter all ves- of belligcrents In American ports. The Willehod whicn safled several mouths for New Loadon. Conn., placed in dry dock for re- although none of the other heen moved for nea two | the countr; | statement or at least : officials | which have been tied up here since | | the It was pointed out to officials tha! was waiting for som4 n official intew pretation of tne attitude of the admin !i{stration. Officials declined to expres | themselves in this way i whether { would be made. and refused today or to /sAvl flatly no announcen commit themselves. Tarnowskli Secs Bernstorff. The first act of Count Tawnowski, new Austrian ambassador, aft installing himself in the embassy h today, was to hold a long confer: with Count Von Bernstorft. It sald that Count Tarnowski woul range to present his credentia President Wilson as soon as po! The only note of dissent from the general cpinfon that President Wils son was preparing to meet Germany’s new warfave with drastic action came (Continued on Fifteenth Page)