New Britain Herald Newspaper, February 5, 1917, Page 1

HERALD BEST OF ALL LOCAL NEWSPAPERS PRICE THREE CENTS. NEW BRITAIN HERALD HERALD “ADS” MEA BETTER BUSINES NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1917. —TWELVE PAGES. ESTABLISHED 1 STRAIN BECOMES MORE INTENSE AS WHOLE NATION PREPARES FOR WAI President Wilson Maintains Hope Hostilities Will Be Prevented But All Machinery of Gove ment is Making Ready For Eventualities--Status of Austria Reported Under Consideration GERMAN SHIPS AT |RAILROADS, BRIDGES AND | o | MANILA SEIZED;. CONSUL GUARDED Extensive Damage Done-on Seven- teen Vessels Before Being Boarded by U. §. Officials BRAZIL EXPECTED T0 BACK UNITED STATES * Marine Insurance Rates of American Steamers Put on Equal Footing ‘With Those o( Entente Shipping— Henry Ford Offers Plant to Country ‘Without Expense—Balfour and Page in Conference. Manila, Feb. 5~—The naval au- l thorities at 6 o'clock this evening seized the seventeen merchant ves-| sels anchored in Manila bay. All the Qerman crews were removed, | __ Customs officials, assisted by navy experts, have discovered that every one of the seventeen ships have heen * extensively damaged. Naval guards were left on the ves- =els, Boats were sent to the German merchantmen, which were boarded one at a time. The American crews took off the Germans who Wwere landed in the business district which was dlmost deserted at that hour. Squads of American police met the Germans as they were landed. The municipal authorities will care for the Germans who are without resources. The others will go free. American police are guarding the German con- sula,t,e. Shipping Insurance at Maximum. New York, Feb, 5.—For the first time since the beginning of the war, marine insurance rates on American ships were today placed on a level 4 with those for ships ¢¥ the Entente Allies. The rates were advanced, it was learned from underwriters, from | the average of 2 to 3 per cent. pre- valling last week to 10 per cent. thel . " i o3 on saturd 5 game rate which has been in force| St Acenalifzone tor some time on ships of Great Britain and France. & Brazil to Back U. S, London, Feh. 5—Reuters Rio Ja- peiro correspondent says there is rea- | spn to believe the reply of the Bra- : government to the German note respecting naval warfare will be in harmony with the attitude of the United States. -~ Penfield Sees Czernin. Amsterdam via London, Feb, Vienna telegram says that the Aus- trp-Hungarian foreign minister, Count Czernin, has had an hour's conference with the American Ambassador, Fred- erick C. Penfield. Ford Offer Washington, Feb. 5.—Henry Ford, “ A manufacturer and pacifist, announced here today that, in the event of war, he should place his factory at the dis- | Posal of the government and operatc it without profit. “I stand with our president,” Mr. Ford in a formal statement, * id nd in the event of a declaration of war | will place our factory at the disposal of the United States government and will operate without one cent profit. I will also contribute my time and work harder than ever fore.” own be- Page and Balfour Confer. London, Feb, 3:20 p. m.—The American ambassador Walter H. Page “* had a prolonged interview this aft- ernoon with Secretary Balfour. The Spanish ambassador also called at the foreign office. a RECEPTION ABANDONED. Washington, Feb. In line with the policy of wmdoning public funec- {lons wherever possible President Wilson today cancelled the army and navy reception at the White Fouse, » get for tomorrow night. Pressure of + business was given as the official rea- som. of | MUNITIONS WORKS GUARDED! AMERICAN LINER TO TEST U-BOAT UKASE Steamship New York, With 231 Passengers, in Dan- ger Zone. New York, Feb. 5.—Officials of the International merchant marine offi- clally announced this morning that the American line steamship St. Louis would not sail today. The American line received a cable- gram today saying that the steamship New York, carrying passengers left Liverpool at 6 p. m. Saturday. She is the first American passenger ship to sail since Germany promulgated her new submarine warfare. The New York carried 231 passen- gers including many Americans. She is expected to arrive here next Sun- day. The American line steamship Phila- delphia arrived at Liverpool at 11 p. m. Sunday, according to cablegrams received here this morning by officials of the international merchant marine. The steamship Finland also of the American line arrived at Liverpool at 8 o’clock this morning. GERMANS WORKING AT CANAL REMOVED Eighty Other Teutons Taken From In- terned Liners Being Brought TUnited States. to Colon, Feb. 5—Twenty Germans who have been removed from the working force on the Panama Canal, and about eighty other Germas will be sent to New York on the Unlted States trans- port Kilpatrick, which sails today, her departure set for yesterday having been deferred a day. P The remainder of the Germans are from the Hamburg-American steam- authorities. HILL SUPPORTS WILSON ! But P. Davis Oakey and Other Con- necticut Congressmen Decline to Comment on Severance of Relations (Speclal to the Herald) ‘Washington, Feb. 5.—Commenting upon the breaking off of relations with Germany, Representative Hill of Connecticut said: “I am. very glad to be able to agree with the president and would further supplement it by insisting on the mainterance of neutral rights against all comers from whatever source.” Representative Oakey did not care to comment upon the situation, nor did other members of the Connecticut delegation. BRITISH London, Feb. British steamer Isle 313 tons has been sunk by a marine, two of her crew being injured | by gunfire. The British Eavestone also has been sunk and the captain and fpur members of the crew were 's another agency announce- MAY NOT TRANSFER SHIPS, ‘Washingtoni Feb. .—President Wilson today issued a proclammation under the authority of the recent shipping act, precenting American shipowners from transferring their vessels to any other registry. ROTECT GERMAN CONSUL. Loston, Ieh. Governor McCall tods red Oswald Kunhardt, Ger- man consul here that he would be af- forded every protection for himself > and the consulate against any pos ble attempt to injure him or to dam- ge the consulate property. Extra Precautions Being Takenat New York and Phila.—“Undesirables” Be- ing Weeded Out of Explo- sive Plants, New York, Feb. 5—Precautions tak- en by state and municipal authorities in face of the international crisis were directed today mainly toward trans- portation lines and munitions centers and public buildings and utilities. The greatest watchfulness was exercised in New York city and vicinity, but guards were stationed at the bridges over the Hudson river at Poughkeepsie and Al- bany. About 3,000 men of the National Guard are under arms. Of these 2,400 are infantrymen and 600 are members of the naval militia. Approximately 16,000 more National Guardsmen are awaiting call to active service. It is expected that the legislature will be asked to pass immediately an appropriation bill making ‘available an amount for the transportation and maintenance of: the state tr0O0DS. ., ... Munitions Plants Guarded. Philadelphia, Feb. 5.—The tension created here by the crisis between the United States and Germany has result- ed in a strengthening and tightening of guard lies ahout all government property and privately owned muni- tions plants. Plants of tremendous military im- portance are located in and near this city, including the Frankfort and Schuylkill arsenals and the big arma ment plants that are turning out thou- sands of tons of war materials. All of these placés were under heavy guard when the gates opened today. Govern- ment agents are combining the lists of employes at all munition plants to eliminate “undesirable.” Cruisers Ready For Duty. City police, both in uniform and in civilian clothes, are on duty at the post offices, the customs house, the quar- termaster’s department and two gov- ernment arsenals. Commandant, Russell of the Phila- delphia navy yard denied himself to every one but naval officers. The bat- tleships Missouri and Minnesota and Cruiser Wisconsln are said to be vir- tually ready for scout duty. The bat- tleship Ohio and destroyer Spaulding will be ready in a few days, it is said. A strong guard was being main- tained today around the German lin- ers Rhaetia and Prinz Oskar, and the Austrian merchantman Franconia, whose crews were ordered confined aboard the vessels by Collector of the Port Berry. The Philadelphia military corps, drawn from members of the Drexel Biddle Bible cla has of- fered its services in the event of war. Twelve thousand members of the Bible classes signified their willing- to volunteer for war service. \ training Recruiting Campaign On. Chicago, Feb. 5.—One hundred and fifty recruits from the Great Lakes naval training station invaded down- town Chicago today with placards and other information desigried to swell enlistments in the navy. Men in uni- form statloned at the principal elevat- ed railway stations of the city attract- | ed much attenion with the placards | swung from their neck, some of which said: “Enlist now” and others “Men | for the battleships.” New England Coast Under Guard. Boston, Feb. 5.—Every vulnerable point on the New Encland coast was under rpecial or reinforced guard to- day. Co-operating with the federal authorities, the several states have made cffective a plan of precaution- ary preparation worked out in a gen- eral way when the relations between the United States and Germany he- corne strained. In addition {o the preparation the ports, strategic points inland, cluding railway 5, have protected as have munition 1d other large manufactories. big manufacturing establish ments and ship building plants. the latter including the Fore River Ship- building corporation at Quincy, have at in- been tories o fMan (Continued on Tenth Page.) INTERNED VESSELS Must First Denounce Treaty Made With Germany in 1828 Citizens of Both Countries Will Prob- ably Be Permitted to Return Home in Safety—Gerard Coming by Way of Spain. Washington, Feb. 5.—The status of i the Prussian-American treaty of 1828 is one of the first things.President Wilson will have to decide as a re- sult of breaking off diplomatic rela- tions with German: Originally negotiated and known ag the treaty of 1779, all its terms were included in the later treaty of 1828, when it expired by limitation. The United States considered the treaty obsolete and no American offi- cial ever believed its terms would be invoked until Germany suddenly took advantage of them when called upon_ 1o, settle for sinking.the Amer- ican sailing ship Willlam P. Frye in the war. Examination of the terms of the forgotten convention shows that it contains provisions which, if permit- ted to stand, might prevent the United States from conlfiscating German war- bound ships in American harbors in case of w 1t also contains the pro- ion for the departure of nationals from either country mentioned in today’s Berlin despatch. How the United States would re- gard a proposal for a special re-rat- ification of the treaty is not clear at ihis time. The impression prevails in some quarters that it might be more desirable to denounce the treaty than to give it new force. Will Propose Re-Ratification. Berlin, Feb. 4, via London, Feb. 5.— United States Ambassador Gerard wir- tually has decided to return to the United States from a Spanish port. The plan to have American interests taken over by the Brazilian minister has been abandoned and it is not known who will represent America in Berlin after Mr. Gerard’s departure. The Associated Press learns author- itatively that Germany will propose to Ambassador Gerard a special re- ratification of the Prussian-American treaties—of 1779 and 1812, allowing nationals, in case of war, nine months in which to settle their affairs and leave hostile countries. This step Will be positively insured Americans in Germany and Germans in America against internment if hostilities break out and would prevent a precipitate »xodus from either country, s¥ch as was general in Europe when the war hroke out. Germany Will Observe Treaty. A representative of the foreign of- fice pointed out to a correspondent of the Associated Press that the an- cient treaties Dbetween the United States and Prussia were still in cffect and contained a clause contrary to the usual rule that they should not be invalidated by the outbreak of hos- tilities. This official said that so far as he was informed Germany would hold to these treaties and that there would be no question of interning Americans in Germany in case of war. In official quarters there seemed to be an anxiety to reassure the few Americans still here on the question of internment. Several of these Americans are in a highly difficult position with no prospective means of returning to the United States except by the trans-Siberian railway or pos- sibly by a roundabout route through Switzerland to Spain and by Spanish j steamers to Cuba. Scores of Ame ans have applied since Wednesday i for the necessary military permission (Continued on Ileventh e WEATHER. Page) Hartford, —ertford Feb. and ¥ — For initv. Fair, —aures to- jthat he had found a bomb under the NO INTERNMENT PROBABLE { above. Washington, Feb. 5.—Customs Col- lector Malone at New York reported to the treasury department today steps of his home. New York, Feb. 5.—Prior to the re- ceipt of the despatch from Washing- ton that a'bomb had been found under the steps of Mr. Malone's home a report was current here that a bomb had been found in the customs house in Mr. .Malone’s office on Saturday This report and all knowledge of any attempt on Mr. Malone's life were de- nied by deputy collector Stewardt, speaking for Malone. When his attention was called to the Washington despatch he still re- fused to give out any information and U5 MAYNOTTARE [ BOMB FOR MALONE access to Mr. Malone was denied. He said that a statement would be given out later in the day. A report was| current that the incident reported by | Mr. Malone occurred and that he had snuffed the fuse of the bomb with his fingers after finding it on the steps ol his home. The bomb reported to have been planted in the custom house on Satur- day was said to have been discovered in the room under Mr. Malone's pri- | vate office, in which he was at work at the time. It was said that employes discoy- | ergd and extinguished its sputtering fuse. Secret service men were said to have been working on the case sinc i that time but had been unable to flnd a clew. AUSTRIA’S ENDORSEMENT OF GERMANY IS BELIEVED HERE SENATE T[] ENDORSE | PRESIDENT'S ACTION! Approved of Severing Dipl matic Relations and Dis- missing Von Bernstoff. ‘Washington, Feb. 5.—A resolution endorsing President Wilson's action in severing diplomatic relations with Germany was introduced in the sen- ate today by Senator Stone, chairman of the foreign relations committee, emphasizing particularly the presi- dent’s expressed desire to maintain peace. It cited severance of diplomatic re- | lations with Germany and concluded by declaring ‘‘That the senate ap- proves the action taken by the presi- dent as set forth in his address to con- gress.” He requested that the resolution go over for a day and it was agreed to without debate. Republican senate leaders, among them Lewis, Gallinger and Smoot, were consulted and the republicans will support the endorsement. The text of the resolution follow: Whereas the president has, for the reasons stated in his address delivered to the congress in joint session on Februa 3, 1917, severed diplomatic relations with the imperial German government by the recall of the Amer- ican ambassador at Berlin and by handing his passports to the German ambassador at Washington, and Whereas notwithstanding this sev- erance of diplomatic intercourse the president has expressed his desire to avoid conflict with the imperial gov- ernment and Whereas the president declared in this snid address that if an occa- sion should arise for further action in the premises on the part of the govs ernment of the United States he would submit the matter to congress- and ask the authority of congress to use such measures as he might deem necessary for protection of American s and people In the pursuance of peaceful znd legitimate errands on the high seas, Therefore, be it resolved by the senate that the senate approves the on taken by the president as set forth in his address delivered before the joint session of congress as stated SAVES JAPANESE CREW. Galveston, Tex., Feb. 5.—Captain Anderson of the Norwegian steamship Agereon who arrived here this morn- ing from Gibraltar reports having picked up on January 5 the captain and crew of forty men of the Japan- ese steamship Chino Maru. The Chi- no Maru had been sunk by submarine shell fire on January 4, according 1o nembers of the crew NO WORD TO HOLCOME. Hartford, Feb. 5.—In a telephonic message from his home in Southing- ton at 10 a. m. today, Governor Hol- comb said he had received no further | instructions from Washington, nor had he had any talk wiht the-adjutant I many's {and Announcement of Dual Mon- archy’s Adherence to Ally’s Threat of Ruthless U-Boat | Campaign Under Discus- §t6irat"Washington. 5 ‘Washington, Feb. 5.—While officials refuse to admit that Austria’s formal announcement, of adhersion to Ger- declaration of unrestricted submarine warfare had been received officially there is reason for believing it is now before the government and that appropriate action is being con- | sidered. Germany Will Not Change Tactic: Berlin, Feb. 4, Via London, Feb, y 5. —Peaceful continuance of German- American relations after the departure of the respective embassies at Wash- | ington and here in the sense indicated | by President Wilson in his address to | congress appeals to be very slight, judging by all the information, some of the highest authenticity, gathered by The Associated Press in the| course of the day. Germany, so The ‘Associated Press was informed, resorted to this measure after the shameful rejection by the| enemy powers of peace overtures and only after the fullest deliberation and as the imperative weapon in defense of its threatened interests. Germany cannot relinquish this weapon—the ‘only one- promising a speedy end to the war—reluctant as Germany was to take this step. The government had hoped that the United States would see it in this light and was and is ac- tuated by no animosity toward the United States in its determination. Germany, therefore, so the high in- formant of The Associated Press con- tinued, is very keenly disappointed grieved by the terms of Mr. Wilson'’s message, but the government cannot alter or modify the course upon which it has determined. This official added: “We can only hope and trust that American ships and American citizens Wwill avold the danger zones-laid down in the German memorandum.” THE HAGUE EXPECTS RUSH Preparations Being Made to Accom- modate Exodus of Americans From Germany and Austria-Hungary. The Hague, Feb. 4, via London, Feb. 5, 10:55 a. m.—The United States le- gation here was busy today preparing to cope with the expected rush of Am- ericans from the territory of the Cen- tral Powers. It is estimuted that there are probubly a thousand Americans attered through Germanty and Aus- trin-Hungary. A large proportion of these undoubtedly will try to reach home through Denmark and Switzer- land, but several hundreds are looked v this route. The legation is en- avoring to ange for Jodgings, which is difficult, as prices are high and rooms are far from plentiful. general concerning the use of the na- tional guard in the present crisis. The practical cessation of shipping further complicates matters. Bernstorff and P4 Numbering 300 Sail For Spain Fr Cuban Port--Inter Vessels Safe Fi Seizure NO MODIFICATION OF ORDERS TO U-BO! Berlin, Feb, via Lot Feb. 5, 9:15 a. m.—Accord to information obtained in ficial quarters there is no p pect of any modification of orders to submarines. b. Washington, Feb. 5.—Grimly paring, and with an air of confl that the nation’s course will be sl immutably for it as Germany effective her announced measu: unrestricted sea-warfare, the States government has begun a step that may be broken early ol be long drawn out. Despite the severance of dipl ic relations with Germany, Pre Wilson believes his long strug preserve the country's peace hgl vet been lost. .. He.still ho) hositilitics will be avoided, bu adding their voices to that of United States will be united, thd { Jor moral foree of the world to { pel peace in Europe. It has not been revealed whether any responses had from the suggestion to the ne presented with a notification o break with Germany, that the; low the example of the United § and that pressure brought to be; other neutrals would tend to en war through the united pressure whole neutral world. The president is known to be hopeful that this new stroke for i if not immediately successful, w least hasten the end of hostilitid With distance anxiety, cab wireless despatches hearing on newly announced warfare, are watched for the first indicatio: American lives lost or ships sunlk out warning. It now appears that the sinki | the Housatonic Saturday by a sul | rine was not an illegal act, sine | carried contraband, a cargo of: warning was given and the d ( saved. American Sailors to Be Free Officials toddy hecard with co erable satisfaction that German, }ordered the immediate release of from B aiders in the U merican sailors taken ships by the German Atlantic, as demanded b; States shortly before the severh diplomatic relations. This actiol interpreted in some quarters as a dication of a conciliatory attitud the part of Germany since ford that government had maintained men were legally prisoners of having accepted service on arme; ligerent merchant v The situation in had not changed up to today aj some «aarters it was suggested the Austrian government might find it necessary to ratify fory the submarine policy of German; in that event relations might be tinued tetween the United Statel Austria. The :tate department is makin| forts to get a guarantee of safl duct from the allied forces for f Von Bernstorff, the German amhj dor, to return to his country wit staff and preparations were way to turn over affairs of the man ~raba to the Swiss min| The delay in recefving word Ambassador Gerard at Berlim he had received his passports. was ready to go to some neut ropean country or return’ United States' was attributed: to strict censorshin in Germanys S quests that German consuls in country be accorded full pr huve been sent to governors of and territories by the state de] ment. Chapters of the Red Cross thro] out the country today had o from national offices to prepare mediately for relief work. Tran tation of Belgian relief supplies temporarily suspended, but the § regard to A Co on Tenth Page)