New Britain Herald Newspaper, February 10, 1917, Page 1

NEW BRITAIN HERALD HERALD “ADS” MEA BETTER BUSINE § NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT, ' SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1917.—TWELVE PAGES. ESTABLISHED . HOTEL FIRE ROUTS - GUESTS FROM BEDS \ Damage at the Lenox, in Boston, i Estimated at $60,000 “BLANKETS USED AS ROPES { Beveral Swing to Safety by Bed & A *; Olothes—Nurse Wheels Patient to Safety Through Smokce—Prominent Actresses Lose Effccts. Boston, Feb. 10.—The Hotel Lenox at Exefer and Boylston streets in the Back ‘Bay district, was damaged by | fire early today. All of the 250 guests and the employes were able to get olt, but several sustained minor Injuries. The elevator wells wers filled with smoke soon after the guests were aroused and most of - them came down the stairways of the | ten-story structure. A few taken down ladders by firemen. Edwin C. Tew of New York, H. Cheshire Mitchell of Seattle, Wash- ington, and Mrs. Mitchell were taken to a hospital. Mr. Tew and Mrs. Mitchell were slightly burned about "the face and hands and \Mrs. Mitchell was affected from shock. Mr. Mitch- ell and his wife were taken down a ladder by firemen from their room on the eighth floor. Frank T. Fisk of . Boston was treated by a physician for | “Hurns. ;i The loss was estimated by the de- ¥ partment of public safety at $60,000. i Improvised Blanket Ropes. Joscph Collins of Revere, whose room on the tenth floor was cut off from the stairway by smoke and | flames, improvised' a ladder from blankets and shéets and lowered himself from his window to the seventh floor, whence he was able to “make his way to the street. Similar means were used by Leonard Vieth of New York and C. M. Foster of Malden to get down from the eighth floor to the fourth. Zdward M. Horton of New York, in whose room on the second floor the fire started, was badly burned trying to quench the flames before he gave the alarm. He was taken to a hos- pital. Horton said that he had been jsmoking. He went to the bath room “and on his return found a brisk fire in his room. After a hasty attempt to put it out Re notified the telephone switchboard operator, .Willlam Con- ion, of the fire and escaped. Conlon rang the hotel fire alarm and «then ran from floor to floor pounding on doors to awaken the guests., All were guickly aroused, but the flames; yeaching the elevator wells, spread s¢ rapidly that it was impossible for all to get to the street unassisted. A large pdrt of the city apparatus was called to the fire and the firemen | had a hard fight in the biting cold and the high wind to subdue the flames. The fire was erratic, in its tourse burn- ing out many rooms and leaving oth- {4 ers untouched. # . Former Governor David Walsh oc- ¢upied a Toom on the second floor. He assisted in awakening other guests be- fore he left the hotel. Joseph Graham of Holyoke jumped from a window of his room on the fifth floor to the roof of a two story building at the rear of the hotel. Both his wrists were fractured, leg was injured and he was badly bruised. He was taken to a hospital. were Nurse Rescues Aged Patient. i “Former Mayor Samuel Green of oy ¥ and very feeble, was rescued from his %" yoom on the seventh floor by his nurse, ‘Miss Mabel T. Warren, 6f Worcester, who threw a robe over -him and wheeled him through the smoke-filled ‘ oorridor, where he was picked up by " firemen and carried to the street. He obtained shelter in ‘a building nearby. Several actresses appesring at lo- cal theaters, including Vallie Valli, Margot Kelly, Charlotte Ives, Mabel Acker and Elizabeth Murray, escaped £ without injury, but lost their personal belongings. Miss Valll was on the tenth floor and reached the street in her night clothes and a heavy . coat, .4 awith a pet dog in her arms. © ’.Manager Prior of the hotel said the Y damage to the bujlding and furnish- .. 4ngs would exceed $60,000, much of " which was caused by water. /Bill Reported to Senate Provides Six- Months’ Instruction for Army or Navy. * Washington, Feb. 10.—A universal military training bill was favorably reported to the senate today by the | military affairs committee. Chai man Chamberlain submitted the bill without comment, asking that it go on the calendar. Senators Thomas, democrat, and Brady, republican, mé&mbers of the committee, reserved the right to submit minority reports. Primarily the bill provides that all men cltizens or those who have de- clared their intent to become citizens shall undergo six months’ military or naval training in the year In which they reach the age or in the vear when they first become liable to such service up to the age of 26. All men receiving such training will be held In, army or navy reserve until they reach the age of 28. | one | Boston, who is eighty-seven years old | LINER IS SECURED FOR VYON BERNSTORFF Agents of Holland-American Vessel ; | i ‘ Granted Permission to Book Former Ambassador. New Yark, Feb. 10.—The steamship | Frederik VIII of the Scandinavian- American line was given permission by its owners in Copenhageen today to | convey Ambassador Von Bernstorft | and his suite to a Scandinavian port, a | cablegram to the line's offices here | stated. No date has vet been set for the vessel's departure, but the officials |of the Scandinavian-American line | thought she was likely to got away | Tuesday or Wednesday. | | In addition to the ambassador's suite, provision has been made for carrying about 200 German consuls. ANCRE VALLEY SGENE OF INTENSE COMBAT | Germans Say British Made | Small Gains at Heayy Cost. Berlin, Thursday, Feb. 8, By Wire- | less to Sayville, Feb. 10.—Heavy fighting is under way in the Ancre valley. The Overseas News agency says there have heen severe artillery and infantry engagements for several days and that the British have at- tained small successes north of the | Ancre at the cost of heavy losses. { The village of Grandcourt the news ageficy says was evacuated by the Germans on Monday after having been made useless for defense pur- | poses and it was not until three days | later that the British discovered the village had been evacuated. Paris, Feb. 10.—The following re- port was given out here today: ‘‘We made surprise attacks last night on enemy posts west of Auberive and in the sectors of Beseange and Parroy and took prisoners. There was vio- lent artillery fighting last night on the front between Vacherauville and Caurieres wood (Verdun front) but no infantry action. “A German airship was brought down yesterday near Regneiville-en- Haye by the fire of our special can- non, “Last night one of our aviators set | forth to drop bombs on the railway stations and barracks at Karlsruhe (in Germany about 50 miles from the French border.) Hls objectives were attained. . He set forth in a French machine at 10:16 and returned at 2:30 this morning his mission having been accomplished. “German aviators dropped bombs this morning in the region of Dun- | kirk and last night and again this | morning on Amiens. There were no victims at Dunkirk, One woman was killed at Amiens. Bombs also were | dropped on Nancy and in the region of Pont St. Vincent. One civilian was killed and four wounded.. Berlin, Feb. 10, By Wireless to Say- ville.—The German artillery on. the Verdun front broke up in its incipi- ency an attack made by the French on' | hill 304, army headquarters an- nounced today. A minor attack by the French on Pepper Ridge, north ©of Verdun was repulsed. Amsterdam, via London, Feb, 10.— The Telegraaf says that a fleet of air- ships at dusk yesterday attackeéd the Belglan coast town of Zebrugge. The Germans fired 800 shells from anti- aircraft guns in an attempt to drive off the attackers. ; 'NET T0 GUARD NEW YORK ! Steel Barrier to Block Submarines to | Be Stretched Across Three Main Ship Channels. New York, Feb. 10.—In addition to torpedo boats, destroyers, airplanes and a mosquito fleet the port of New York ‘will have for defense. against submarine attack two miles of heavy wire qpetting stretched across the | three main ship channels. The device | ! will be similar to t:at used in British harbors. Most of the material for the sub- marine net has been collected at the vard and its construction began v men here believe that similar measures will be taken if mecessary for the protection of other harbors on the Atlantic coast. DEAF MUTES REPRIEVED Castelli and Veteri Will Not Be Hanged March 15 Pending Appeals to Supreme Court. Hartford, Feb. 10.—Governor Hoi- comb today granted reprieves to July 6 to Joseph Castelli and Frank Ve- teri under sentence to be hanged at the Connectlicut state prison on March 15, The governor’s action was taken be- cause of an appeal to the supreme court on behalf of the two men. | | blockade as effective. BRAZIL PROTESTS L-BOAT BLOCKADE Informs Berlin Submarine Cam- paign Is Regarded As Tllegal DUTY BOUND TO OBJECT Assurcs Berlin of Country’s Neutrality Without Demand for Modification of Edict, Rio Janeiro, Feb. 10.—The note handed to the German secretary of foreign affairs by the Brazilian min- ister at Berlin in reply to Germany’s declaration of the resumption of un- restricted submarine warfare was, made public here today. THe text is as follows: “I have transmitted to my govern- ment by telegraph your letter of Feb. 3, in which your excellency informed me of the resolution of the German Imperial government to blockade Great Britain, its islands the littoral of France and Italy and the eastern Mediterranean by submarines which Wwould commence operations on Feb. i, Your letter stated that the submarines { would prevent all maritime traffic in the zones above mentioned abandon- ing all restrictions observed up to the present in the .employment of means for sea fighting and would use every military resource capable of the de- struction of ships.. “The letter of your excellency says further that the German government having confidence that the govern- ment of Brazil would appreciate the reasons for the methods of war which Germany was forced to take on ac- count of the actual ciroumstances, hope that Brazilian ships would be warnegd of the danger they ran if they navigated the interdicted zones, the same as passengers or merchandise on board any other ship of commerce, neutral or otherwise. Brazil Rigorously Neutral. “I have just been directed to in- form your excellency that the federal | government has the greatest desire | not to see modified the actual situa- tion, as long as the war lasts, a situa- | tion in which Brazil has imposed : upon itself the rigorous observance of the laws of neutrality since the com- | mencement. of hostilities by the na- tions with whom she has had friendly relations. My government has always | observed this neutrality while reserv- | ing to itself the right which belongs to it and which it has always been | accustomed to exercise, of action in | those cases where Brazilian interests | are at stake. The unexpected com- | munication we have just received an- nouncing a blockade of wide extent of countries with which Brazil is con- tinually in economic relations by for- eign and Brazilian shipping, has pro- duced a justified and profound im- pression through the imminent men- ace which it contains of the unjust sacrifice of lives, the destruction of property and the wholesale disturb- | ance of commerce relations. Blockade Not Legal. “In such circumstances and while observing always and invariably the same principles, the Brazilian gov- ernment, after having examined the tenor of the German note, declares that it tannot accept as legal the blockade which has just been sudden- ly decreed by the imperial govern- ment. Because of the means em- ployed to realize this blockade, the extent of the interdicted zones, the | absence of all restrictions, including ! the failure of warning for even neu- tral menaced ships and the announced intention of using every military means of destruction of no mat- ter what character, sich a block- ade could neither be regular nor ef- fective, and would be contrary to the principles of law and the conventional rules established for military opera- tions of this nature. “For ,these reasons the Brazlian government, in spite of its sincere and keen desire to avoid any disagreement with the nations at war, with whom it is on friendly terms, believes it to be its duty to protest against this blockade and consequently to leave | entirely with the imperial German government the responsibility for all | acts which will involve Brazilian citi- zens, merchandise or ships and which are proven to have been committed in disregard of the recognized prin- | ciple of international law and of the | conventions signed by Brazil and Germany."” | Responsibility Is Germany’s, Rio Janeiro, Feb. 10.—Foreign minister Lauro Muller in replying to President Wilson’s suggestion that other neutral nations take the same position as the United States in re- spect to the German submarine cam- | paign, will inform Washington that .Brazil has declared to Germany that she does not recognize the submarine | The note will | further say that Brazil leaves with | Germany the responsibility for all acts from which Brazilian merchant- men may suffer in violation of inter- national law. BUREAU TO CLOS Castelli and Veteri are deaf mutes. They were convicted of murder in the first degree in the New Haven county superior court for the killing of An- | mie Casteri. Detroit, Feb. 10.—Henry TFord's | private secretary today confirmed the despatch from London that the Ford Peace Burcau at The Hague would be closed on March L. | But Cannot Pass Over New Status FLOOD AND STONE HEAD COMMITTEES ON FOREIGN RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE FLOOD (upper) SENATOR STONE (fower) Photo of Mr. Flood by American Press Association. So far as congress is concerned our relations with Germany and other foreign countries are intrusted largely to the foreign relations committee of the two houses. The house commit- tee is headed by Henry D, Flood of ‘Virginia (upper in pictures) and the senate committee by Willlam J. Stone of Missouri (lower). also a member of other committees, but the chairmanship of the foreign relations. committee is _Mr. .Flood's only assignment. Mr. Stone was in Missouri when the news of Germany's move reached America, and he re- turned immediately to Washington. 'THREE MORE VESSELS IN NET OF U-BOATS Captain and Most of Crew of Norwegian Ship Are Prisoners. London, Feb. 10, 12:30 p, m.—The British steamer Mantola has sunk, Lloyds announced today. The Mantola was a steamer of 6,826 tons gross, built at Greenock in 1915. She was last reportea at London on January 3, about to sajl for Calcutta. Lloyds today also announces the sinking of the Norwegian steamship Solbakken, two members of the crew of which were landed, the captain and remainder of crew being kept pris- oner on board the submarine. Lloyds announces that the British steamer Lullington, 2,818 tons, has been sunk. Her crew was landed yes- terday. been London, Feb. 10.—Three English- men and one American negro. mem- bers of the crew of the torpedoed steamer Dauntless, have been plcked up in a small boat at sea by a trawler, according to a Reuter despatch from Madrid. The men had been afloat for five days. They were taken to a ‘hos- pital. The Dauntless was a British steam- er of 2,157 tons, carrying a crew of twenty-three men. A despatch from Paris on February 8 said that two members of the crew were killed and the captain seriously wounded, when the boat was torpedoed. A later de- spatch from London reported that six survivors had been landed two of whom died as the result of their ex- perience. BELGIANS TAKEN TO TURKEY. Paris, FFeb. 9, 11:40 p. m.—A Havre Gespatch to the Havas Agency says that, according to news from private sources, which is fully confirmed, a number of deported Belgians, who were skilled artisans, have been sent to Turkey to work in munition fac- tories. WEATHER. Iartfo Feb, 10.—For Nartford and vicinity: Fair, Continued cold tonight. Sun- day fair, slightly warmer, Senator Stone is | | STARS AND STRIPES THROUGH WAR Z0NE Two Freighters Flying American | Flags to Sail Today WILL MOUNT NO GUNS Agent of Kerr Linc S: i | Qur Ships i Can Go Any Placc and Docs Not | Anticipate Trouble—Big Lincrs Are | Safe. New York, Feb. 10—Shipping circlex were stirred today by the announcc- ment that two freighters flying the stars and stripes would sail immed- iately for the FEuropean war They will be the first American ves sels to start from New York for the | proscribed area since the beginning of Germany’s unrestricted submarine warfare. ! These ships are the Orleans, owned by the Oriental Navigation company ond the Rochester of the Kerr Steam- Both are bound for Bordeaux, France. The two ships have received th clearance papers and loaded all their cargoes, await- ing final word from their owners. The Orleans has an American cap- tain, Allan Tucker, and a crew of 35, of whom 32 are citizens of the United States. i The Rochester has 33 officers and | men, of whom two-thirds are Ameri- | cans. Both vessels have their names | and “U. 8. A.” in large letters on thel | | black sides but are not striped or | marked in the manner prescribed for | American vessels by the German | blockade regulations. Neither is armed. ‘Will Mount No Guns. “After taking the matter up at Washington we have decided to allow | the steamer .tq proceed without | mounting guns of any knd,” said an officer of the Kerr line. ‘“‘Any ship flying the American flag, as the Ro- chester does, has the right to trade; with a foreign country and we do rot anticipate that the steamer wil | be interfered with.” H. S. Wuick, general freight agent of the Kerr line, announced that the | gailings of the line will continue until sorcibly stopped. The arrival of the Baltic of the White Star line. at Liveipool re- 1oves from the danger zone another British’ vessel carrylng American cit-+ izen’s. | The post office authorities are con- sidering the advisibility of transfer- ring 5,000 sacks of mail from the American liner St. Louis, which has been held up here all week by the | blockade situation, to the British steamship Cedric, which sails tomor- row for Liverpool without passengers. Bankers and manufacturers and rail- way man sald today the reduced num- ber of sailings from American ports was beginning to be felt, although as yet there was no serfous changes. It was said that many shippers were withholding their goods from the rail- roads at the point of production be- cause they could not obtain the neces- sary ocean tonnage. The situation is a source of annoy- ance to banks doing business in for- eign exchanges. To guard against the loss of interest arising from any pro- jonged dclay some of the largest banks here have sent out letters calling at- tention to the fact that, owing to-the delay of mails an adjustment of inter- est must be made on all items nego- tiated prior to date of the steamer’s sailing. All information with respect to the clearing of vessels at the custom house including their names is being withheld. = Officials said today that this was being done for the present on orders from Washington. | | zone. ship’ compan Devonian Reaches Liverpool. Boston, Feb. 10—The arrival at Liv- erpool (of the liner Devonian, for whose safety some fears had been ex- pressed in local shipping circles, was announced in a cablegram received by agents here today. The Devonlan sailed from this port January with muni- tions arid 1,000 horses. Eighty ten- ders, most of them Americans, were aboard. The ship Canadian of the Leyland line, which was ready to sail last night for Liverpool, was at her dock today and no information was avail- able regarding the cxpected time of her departure. The British steamer Baycross, twen- ty-two days out from Havre, arrived at quarantine early today. New York Heard From. New York, Feb. 10.—The American, line steamer New York from Liver- pool, the first American ship out of that port after the recent German submarine decree was made publice will reach New York late Saturday af- ternoon, according to a wireless mes- sage received by officials ¢ the line here today. The Krooniand, also from Liverpool, will reach Sandy Hook at midnight to- night and dock eurly tomorrow morn- ing, the line announced. RMAN KAIDER REPORTED. Cape Haitien, Feh, 10.—A German .raider was in the waters of this island hetween January 26 and January 29. She is described as a small ship with a crew of 1 | formation | tained. l WILSON PLANS NO WAR DECLARATIO BERMANY READY 10 TALK PEACE Will Communicate With U. §. in Endeavor to Pre- vent Hostilities Over the Submarine Werfare. Washington, Feb. 1.—Germany 1is understood here to have addressed o the United States a communication suggesting that the two governments discuss ways and means of preventing actual war between them. \\"h“c in- regarding the 'channel through which the communication was addressed is lacking it is probable it is being forwarded by the government of Switzerland. Germany is understood “to have made it clear that although diplo- matic relations have been broken, she greatly desires that peace be main- Preliminary outlines regard- ing the communication do not indi- cate that it carries with it any. sug- | gestion that Germaay may modify her submarine warfare. However, the whole communication is said clearly to invite this govern- ment to make suggestions regarding steps it takes might prevent war. In connection with ' the coming communication information obtained here is to the effect that while Ger- many was arranging for her new cam- paign ef unrestricted submarine war- fare certain German diplomats in various parts of the world were formed .that while “military necessity’” ! prevented the granting of a period in which neutrals might adjust their maritime interests, évery care would Dbe exercised so that neutral passenger- carrying ships wowyld not be subjected to unwarned torpedo attacks. GERARD AND STAFF PREPARE TO LEAVE Police Pu’i Lid Down on General Exodus of Americans TO PROBE EAGH CASE Ambassador Warns Against Placing Credence Interviews,. Stating He Will Make ¥First Report to President. \ Berlin, Feb, 9, Via London, ; Feb. 10.—Ambassador Gerard’s traln will leave Berlin approximately as sched- uled but will enter Switzerlana by way of Bingen instead of Basle as origin- ally planned. Americans who will travel with the ambassador were in- formed late this afterncon that their baggage must be at the depot for in- in Allegea | spection not later than 11 o’clock to- morrow morning so as to avoid delay and confusion at the Zfrontier. It is probable that the epecial train’s bag- gage capacity will be taxed to the ut- most, as the embassy staff and others permitted to travel with Gerard plan to carry most of their belongings with them, The train will consist largely of day coaches, with a saloon car for the am- bassador and possibly sleepers for the women. The route decided upon is shorter than the original one by way of Basle, Americans Well Treated, Despite the fact that details of My, Gerard’s departure have been indefi- nite until this evening, the Americans in Berlin have shown little tendency to worry and the situation has not affected the serenity of the German public. No more attention has been paid to foreigners than is usual, Americans have been treated with rigid courtesy and no objection has been raised to English being spoken publicly. The newspapers continue to devote themselves largely to news despatchees from America received by various routes but there is little editorial comment. Apparently the press is waiting for definite action by the United States in one direction or an- other, and despatches which deal with the possibility or probabllity of main- taining peace between the two coun- tries are given prominence. Ambassador Gerard authorized the Assoclated Press today to say that he s neither given nor will under any umstance xive an interview of v kind or description to any-one be- fore he reports personally to President (Continued on Ninth Page.) in- | May Merely Ask C gress for Protect .of American Sh ping in War Zond i VON BERNSTORFF BARRED FROM CAB Secretary Lansing Declave: Iy to Con i | Ambassador Was cate With 'Home and Still - D That Gerard Was Prevented F Beginning Journey to Ameri| Pacifists Becomi Active, Washington, Feb. 10.—Late reg of shipg sunk by German subma were scanned closely today by zov| ment officials for a double r 'st there was the ever present Bt bring a dec | for the United States to use for | protect its righ Second, ¥ | day’s reported falling off of aggrej { tonnage sunk produced wonder a { whether the failure was only | porary or whether Great Britain already done something to lessen | force of the submarine attacke. Wilson Decides on Course, Tn reference to the chances { more pronounced break with many, it is disclosed that the cise course of the United States been determined. President { will not ask congress for a declal | of war but only for authority to § necessary measures tq protect tral rights. This would still lea: first act of open hostilities to many's choosing. The conveying| merchant vessels by American ! [t‘raft might be ordered. Interests in the progressive, of submarine campaign was bai | Lloyds reports reaching here, § | ing that not much more thanuif | tons total shipping was sunk ¥ day, although abouf 21,000 tong reported sunk on Thursday and 28,000 tons each of the two procs ing days. A daily destruocti 23,000 tons would be necessar maintain the rate which the Ge admiralty believes sufficient to late England. Reports ‘hat GFf Britain is arranging to convoy g fleets of merchantmen through war zone gained tredence here. One of the questions discussed the. cabinet meeting late yesterds was the threatened hampering American industries if ships are B up in American ports much loi by fear of risking submarine dan It was stated authoritatively after | cabinet meeting that nothing done to change the policy of the ernment. No Restrictions on Ambassud The statement attributed to Dr, liam Von Stumm, German undel retary of foreign affairs, that @ many has detained Ambassador @ ard because Count Von Bernstorff b been prevented by this country fro telegraphing that he had received passports, was held “by Sec: Lansing today to be improbable. He said: v “I doubt the authentjcity of a staty ment of that kind which is so dire| ly contrary to the facts, Every faci ity and convenience has been piag before Count Von Bernstorf and would have been allowed to send full statement regarding the seve ance. Whether he availed himsel? d this or not is his responsibiiity. h German governmient has been formed with the fullest detail of events in this/ country through t different sources, the Swiss minist here, who has becn erapowered represent German interests and thy Spanish ambassador in Berlin througi whom our communications have gond I have no reason now to helieve th: there has been very unusual delay i Ambassador Gerard’s departure ' | that any hour mig I Drive for Peace. Thousands of tclegra rom difter: ent parts of the country urging step to maintain peace between the Unit ed States and Germany reached thi White House today. These evidentl were part of an organized movemen | Representatives of the “mergency Peace Federation, recently organized lin New York, called at the White House to see President Wilson to ar range a meeting next week. A masg meeting will be held Monday. Ong of the objects of the movement is secure a referendum on war as Sug: | gested by 'William J. Bryan. \PLOT AGAINST CUBAN GOVT) Civil and Military Officials Said to R Involved and Army Men Are Re ported Under Arrest, Havana, Feb. 10—Aurielo Hevis notified the civil authorities today thai he had recefved advices of a plof against the government involving ctvil and milltary officials. It is Teported that one or more army officers have been arrested. There i grent activity in police circles.