New Britain Herald Newspaper, March 20, 1917, Page 1

HERALD BEST OF ALL LOCAL NEWSPAPERS PRICE THREE CENTS. WILSONS REASONS [TWO DROWNED IN [GZAR IGNORANT OF |COUNTER ATTACK Y NAVY MAY HEL] FORNOT FAVORING | DASH OFF LINERS| REV HELP E SUPPLIES EMBARGO German Plot to Embroil U. $. in War Chief Cause, Carranza Is Told WASHINGTON'S STAND ON LEAGUE T0 STARVE ALLIES In the First Place, Head of Mexican Government Is Informed, United States Would Violate Neutrality If It Subscribed to Such Plan—Zimmer- mann’s Note Settled Fate of Pro- posed Scheme. ‘Washington, March 20.—~The note to General Carranza declining his pro- posal of neutral action to bring peace to Europe by cutting of exports of supplies to belligerents was meide pub- lic today at the state department. ‘The refusal was based first upon the apparent hopelessness of peace, at the present time, as shown in the futility of President Wilson’s efforts and Ger- man attempts to embroil Mexico ‘and Japan in war with this country and in the belief that any restriction of com- merce with the belligerents would, in effect, he an unneutral discrimination. Nevertheless, the note concludes, “the president would not be er- stood as desiring to impede the prog- ress of a movement leading to the re- sumption of peaceful relations between all the belligerents and would not, therefore, wish the Mexican govern- ment to feel that his inability to act in the present state of affairs should in any way militate the attain- ment of the high ‘ideals of Gen. Car- ranga by the co-operation of ' other ‘neutral governments in the use of ‘thely good offices and friendly media~ tion to bring about the end of the ter- sympathetic consideration “which the United States has given to the proposal and refers to the new vigor of the ‘warfare, and says: “To render the situation still more acute, the government of the United _States has unearthed a plot made by the government dominating the Cen- tral powers to embroil not only the government and people of Mexico but also the government and people of Japan In war with the United States. - At the time this plot was conceived the. United States was at peace with ; the governments and peoples of the German empire and German officials and German subjects were not only enjoying but abusing the libertles and privileges freely accorded to them on American soil and under Amer- ican protection.”. The note then takes up the pro- posal to cut off commercial relations with the belligerent nations and re- fers to the American note to Austria- Hungary to show the policy of this government in declining to stop mu- nitions ships. \ . *“Believing that this position of the United States is based upon sound principles of international law,” the note says in conclusion, “‘and is con- sonant with the established practice ' of nations, the president cannot bring himself to consider such a modifica- 1ion of these principles or of this prac- . tice as compliance with General Car- rangza’s proposal to suspend commer- clal relations which the warring na- tions would entall ARMY AND NAVY UNITE Both Branches of Russian Military Service Co-operating, Ambassador Francis Cables—Quict Prevails, ‘Washington, March 20.—Complete co-operation of both the Russian army and navy with the new revolutionary government was reported by Ambas- sador Francis to the state department. He stated he had received his informa- tion from official sources and con- firmed to his own satisfaction official- ly. The fact that he mentions no dis- orders leads officials to believe that good order prevails. The question of the recognition of the new government by the United States is becoming increasingly im- portant. London, March 20.—Nearly all the . district governors and officials in “Finland voluntarily resigned when they heard of the revolution and little opposition was shown -~ anywhere towards the new order of things, ac- cording to a Copenhagen despatch to Reuter's quoting the Berlingske Ties dende, M. Roditcheft's appointment as " governor of Finland is sald to prove ceptable as he is known as a #hunch advocate of Finnish aspira- “tions. The prisoners in the fortress at Uleaborg have been liberated and |/ the governor and police dismissed. EW BRITAIN H HeMmmt Ones of Escaped Sailors Missing FOURTEEN SOUGHT ESCAPE Commanders Believed to Have Had Knowledge of Intended Bolt—Baron Von Schoen Reported at Liberty in This Country. ‘Washington, March 20.—Lieutenant Chorth and Machinist Mate Hermann Schroeder of the German interned crews at Philadelphia navy yard are believed to have been drowned last night in an attempt to escape. Eight other men who escaped at the same time have been captured by companies of marines and the Phil- adelphia police. * These are in addi- tion to the seven who were reported last night as having failed to escape. Fourteen men were concerned in the attempt to escape. Officlals feel certain that the dash was known to the German officers and that the men, led by Lieut. Chorth, made it with the sanction of the commanders. ‘What their purpose was can only be left to speculation. Four men were captured while at- tempting to leave their ship. The crews of the Kronprinz Wilhelm and the PrinZ Eitel Frelderich were at once mustered and it was found that the nine men were missing. Com- panies of marines were dispatched in pursuit, the police reserves and civil suthorities aiding in the chase. How the eight retaken were found, the preliminary report does not show,_ and it does not show what evidence there is to support the supposition that the two were drowned. The four men caught were in oivil- ian dress, having discarded their uni- forms for the dash and were well supplied 'with money. In connection with the coup, it may or may not be said that Baron Von Schoen, a former attache of the German embassy, transferred to Mex- ico before the break with Berlin, re- cently has been reported traveling in the United States. . In the light of the present situation and all the circum- stances the presence ¢ a an diplomatic agent al in the coun- ked upon with some concern. ect of German sailors at s regarded with apprehen- sion. All the men interned at Philadel- phia are to be transferred this week ts Fort McPherson and Ogelthorpe, RIBOT BREAKS RECORD IN FORMING GABINET Announces New Ministry in 48 Hours Despite Many " Difficulti Parls, March 20.—Events at the ffont have so completely over-shad- owed the ministerial crisis that there has been lttle comment on the new cabinet, It, however, was well enough received and is considered adequate for the task, though never before did a political event of such importance leave the public so in- different, Alexandre Ribot, in setting up the cabinet in 48 hours, is understood to thave beaten all speed records and his task was not an easy one, for the list changed many times before it be- came permenent. Many persons ap- proached by him refused, while oth- ers accepted at first but withdrew their acceptances. Premier Ribot asked former Pre- mier Briand to remain as foreign min- ister, but M. Briand pointed out that, having had to deal with the allies with the double title of premier and foreign minister, he would not have the same weighit in affairs wtih only the latter title. Leon Bourgeois, former premler, was then approached but refused ow- ing to 111 health precluding his un- dertaking a labor of such magnitude but he agreed to take the portfolio of labor. The premier himself as- sumed the portfolio of foreign affairs. All sections of republican opinion are represented in the new cabinet. Premier Ribot belongs to the repub- lican union; Albert Thomas, minister of munitions, to the unidentified so- cialist group; Rene Viviani, ministér of justice; Professor Paul Painleve, minister of war, and Maurice Vio- lette, minister of subsistence, to the socialistic republicans; Louis J. Mal- vy, minister of the interior; Jules Steeg, minister of public instruction; Georges Desplas, minister of public works; Etlenne 'Clementel, minister of commerce; Fornand Davidi, min- ister of agriculture; Leon Bourgeois, minister of labor; and Daniel Vincent, under secretary of aviation, belong to the group of radicals and socialistic _radicals, while Andre Maginot, min- ister of the colonies, belongs to the repunhlican left, and Joseph Thierry, minister of finance, to the democratic left. All hdve been in force before except Georges Desplas, who is one of the Paris deputies; Maurice Vio- lette, o deputy for ' the department Eure-Et-Leir, and Daniel Vincent, a deputy for the department Du Nord. NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT, TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 1917 —TEN PAGES. It Was Too'Late “Let It Be So.” Thank God. I Will Abdicate/ ‘It That Is -What the Pcople Want,” Nicholas IL De- » Petrograd, Via London, March 20.— Emperor Nicholas! last hour as ruler of Russia is described by a corres- pondent of the Outro Rossly of Mos- cow, as follows: Two trains arrived at the station at Vispera (on' the Moscow-Petrograd railroad, 125 miles southeast of Petra- grad), on the night of March 14, One train carried the emperor’'s suite; the Second the emperor, General Baron Fredericks, minister of the Imperial house, Rear Admiral Niloff, ‘General Zabel and others. Nicholas, called from headquarters by the empress, Wwas on the way to Tzarskoe-Zelo. None of the telegrams about the revo- lution sent by President Rodvianko of the’Duma had reached the emperor, every effort haying been made to keep him in ignorance of the progress of affairs. . General Zabel protested, de- claring that if the others refused to inform the emperor he would do so. Nicholas, who had been sleeping, was awakened at 2 o’clock in the morning. He went to the dining car and de- manded that Admiral Niloff tell him what had happened in Petrograd. He was told that a crowd of students, hoodlums -and young soldiers had terrorized the Duma but that a few detachments of troops would be able to put them down. Just then Commandér ‘Voyekoff, of the imperial train, entered with a telegram statinig that 700 of the St. George cavalry were on the way to Tzarskoe-Zelo to present a cross to the emperor and had arrived at the nearby station of Dno. “Your majesty,” said Voyekoff, “it is enough that you appear at the Twarskoe-Zelo in the midst of the heroes, and with the Tzarskoe-Zelo ®rrison, go to the duma, AN g} troops will réinembér their- oath. It Wwill be casy to overcome these young soldiers.” & Zabel Breaks the News. “It is a lie, your majesty,” shouted General Zabel. “You are deceived. Read this telegram, Here is the orders to the imperial train at Vis- dhera: ‘Do nmot send the train to Tzarskoe-Zelo, but to Petrograd.’” The emperor arose and exclaime “What does this mean? Js it revolu- tion? Is Grekoff (who signed the order to divert the train) commander in Petrograd?” Then Zabel said: ““There are 60,000 good troops with officers back- ing the temporary government. Your majesty has been declared dethroned. Impossible to go further.” Nicholas, completely non-plussed, exclaime: “Why was I not tald be- fore? Why tell me now, when all is finished?” After a moment he added, with a gesture of helplessness: “Let it be so. Thank God, I will abdicate if that be what the people want, I will go to Livadia, to my gardens. I am so fond of flower: The train maved toward Bologole. At Dno a telegram was recefved stating that the Tzarskoe-Zelo gar- rison had revolted and that the em- press had appealed to the Duma for protection. Nicholas pondered the situation, then said: “I shall go to Moscow. Mrozovski (commander of Moscow garrison) may defend me. Rejects Traitorous Suggestion. At Bologole was received a tele- gram stating that the Moscow garri- son had joined the revolution. The train returned to Dno where it met the train bearing Gen. Ivanoff. The gen- eral related everything that had taken place adding: ““There is only one thing to do now. It is to open the Dvina front to the Germans and let them quiet the ca- naill Nicholas rejected the suggestion, ex- claiming angrily: “I shall never be- come a traitor to my country”. Then Nicholas broke down and wept. After a moment he said: “If only I knew ‘my wife and chil- dren were safe I should go to Liva- dia quietly to finish my life, and let Michael govern the country. He is liked by the people. I will sign .my abdication and then go back to the army, say goodbye to th> snldiers and let them do as they like. I shall not stand in the way."” This last colloquy occurred on the station platform. Nicholag, who was dressed in a soldier’s coat, with a col- onel's shoulder straps and a sheep- skin hat tilted back, frequently mop- ped his brow. He gazed about in dazed manner and then mounted the steps of his car. Thereupon the train moved off. FAVORS SUNDAY “MOVIES.” Hartford, March 20.-——A Lill to per- mit moving picture exhibitions in ci- ties of 10,000 and over, on Sunday eve- ning was favorably reported to the senate today. It would permit 1.ica| governing boards to grant licenses and make rex\llpflqna concerning the exhibitions. Trops Released by Reirenent RAILROADS AND MEN | ANTESTRIKE EDICT T0 DEVOTE LIFE 70 FLOWERS |CALAIS AS 0BJECTIVE| PLANNING SCHEDULES German Pace Grows Slower and Bad Weather Forces French and Eng- lish to Restrict Drive to More Moderate Speed. French troops, pushing hard on the heels of the retreating Germans, are today within striking' distance of the “Hindenburg line,” the supposed goal of their retiring foe. The milestones on'this line are the historic towns of Lille, Cambrai, St. Quentin, Laon and La Fere. The troops of General Ni- velle yesterday were rushing towards St. Quentin at a rate almost unpre-. cedented in the present world war, and had reached a point within five miles of the city. Unlegs some un- heralded factor has entered into the situation the French have by this time elther entered St. Quentin or the Ger- man retreat has halted. In the meantime to the north the British are doggedly pushing for- ward toward Cambrai and apparent- 1y are within striking distance of that town, thé heart of the Lille-Ia Fere line and famous since the days of the Romans. The British are advancing more slowly than the French but the reports officially from Paris or in the unofficial stories of newspaper cor- respondents at the front indicate that neither army has yet come in contact with the main German forces. The theory that the Germans purpose to halt their retreat on the Hindenburg line has been put forward by military critics in the allied capitals but there has been no indication from Berlin of the plans of the German general staff and the purpose and meaning of the dramatic retreat of the invad- crs of France remain clothed in ocon« siderable mystery. French military observers estimate that the German retirement already has released 160,000 to 200,000 troops who are available for a long-predicted counter offensive to be . launched against the allied lines at some specu- lative point. The Paris newspapers of Vo enbus 0 and discuss the possibility of another tremendous effort to smash a way through to Calais. In the meantime the only indication of a German attempt to assume the initiative is in a sporadic fighting in the Champagne and on the Verdun front. Nothing has developed in either of these directions to indicate an offensive on a scale great enough to offset the sensational evacuation of a thousand or more square miles in Picardy. Germang Reduce. London, March 20.—Telegraphing from the British headquarters iIn France Reuter’s corespondent says: “The pace of the German retreat seems to have slowed down consid- erably during the past twenty-four haurs, a fact for which the very mild weather may well be responsible. Notwithstanding the tempestuous ‘weather, however, our troops have made ‘considerable progress. Advance More Difficult. Paris, March 20.—The war office announces that the French are still maintaining contact with the Germans along the section of the front over which the retirement is taking place, but that the advance has become more difficult by reason of the de- struction of all meéans of communi- cation and on aceount of the bad weather. \ German attacks at Avocourt Wood and Hill 304, on the Verdun front were repulsed. Serious loss was In- fiicted on the Germans. French Reported Repulsed. Berlin, March 20, By Wireless to Sayville—There were several engage- ments of infantry and cavalry detach- ments yesterday between British and German forces in the territory on both sides of the river Somme and Oise, abandoned by the Germans according to the official statement issued today by the army headquarter’s staff. The French yesterday and last night directed violent attacks against the German positions on the left bank of the Meuse, the statement adds, but everywhere they were repulsed. French Advance in Macedonia. Paris, March 20.—The French troops in Macedonia, according to a war office announcement today, have captured a hill and two towns about three miles north of Monastir after a stubborn resistance on the part of the enemy. They also took more than 1,200 prisoners, including eleven offi- cers. Miiitary activity on the part of the | British forces to the east of Lake Doiran resulted in the bringing in of prisoners. / —~— e WEATHER. Tartford March 20.—For Hartford and vicinity: Cloudy anflwarmer tonight. Wed- 'moaely‘t 2} :unn‘ % llnn‘-z ely ' sont winds. 3 New Wage Contracts Must Be Signed and Back Pay Computed. New York, March 20.—Much hard work remains for the railroad man- agers and the brotherhood leaders as a result of yesterday’s agreement put- ting inte effect an eight hour day'as from January 1. The task of fitting the new working day to the time schedules of every railroad in the | couhitry was taken up today by a com- mittee of the brotherhoods and a sub-committee of the railroad man- agers; About 800 separate wage cantracts must be signed on the new basis. These committees will decide in what manner the back wages due the men from the first of the year will be computed. It is estimated that the employes will' receive between $12,- 000,000 and $13,000,000. There was some talk today of leaving the com- putation to the eight hour commission headed by Major General G. W, Goethals. % : Freight service on all trunk lines has been deranged by embargoes de- clared in anticipation of a strike. Nearly all the railroads lifted their embargoes yesterday as soon as they heard of the settlement. A return to normal conditions. on some lines was delayed by the necessity of making reciprocal arrangements with connect- ing roads. . LAWYER CONVICTED .OF MURDER ESCAPES Former Clerk of Alabama Court, Had Been Found Guilty of Killing Judge. March Birmingham, 20.—David county cireuit court, convi fall of having murdered Judge W. T. Lawley, escaped early today . from the Jefferson ton with six other prisoners, two uvnder death sentences overpowered the warden. HOME GUARDSMEN T0 DRILL New Britain Company Has Sixty Men and Will Assemble at the State Armory on Next Tuesday Evening. New Britain’s enlistments for the Home Guard now total sixty men and while more are being enlisted daily and will be as the organization of the local unit progresses, plans have been made for a meeting of all recruits at the state armory on Arch street, next Tuesday night, At this time some members of the recruiting staff will address the men and outline the mo- tives for the organization of the Home Guard. The men will then be assem- bled into one or more companies for an initial drill. Col. William W. Bul- len, a Spanish War Veteran, former lieutenant colonel of the First Regi- ment and an experienced military man will probably be in charge. As yet the governor's military emer- gency board has not appointed a sur- geon inspector for the New Britain battalion and until such an officer is appointed the recruits will not be giv- en their physical examinations which will complete their enlistment. The governor’'s board met yesterday in Hartford with uniform manufac- turers and it is expected that the con- tract for the manufacture of Hlome Guard uniforms will ne awarded soon. To date New Britain’s showing in the number of Home Guard recruits enlisted is on a par with others in the state, size of the various towns and cities compared. In Hartford, a city about twice the size of New Britain, there have been 103 enlistments and a second company is now being organ- ized. In the neighboring ' town of Farmington a cavalry troop of seventy Home Guardsmen has been raised. The men are supplied with mounts and the members will provide motor trucks for transporting their supplies in an emergency. New Haven has listed scventy men and Middletown has enrolled twenty-five, while Simsbury has sent in sixty-five names. ZEPPELIN TAKEN AFTER RAID. L-39 Was Returning After. Attack on England. Berlin, March 20, By Wireless to Sayville.—Zeppelin L-39, which was brought down near Compiegne, France, last Saturday, the admiralty announces, was one of the airships which took part in the London raid of the previous night. The indicated course of the zeppelin was from its base, presumably in Bel- gium, across the channel to England, [thence back across French territory to Paris and then 45 miles in. a northeasterly, direction to Compiegne, where it met its fate. _Grnhcngoes GREATEST VICTORY Was Chief Feature of Adam- son Law As Interpreted By Court New York, March 20.—Full power by the government through oo to prevent railroad strikes is, in the opinion of the railroads, as expressed here today, the country’s chief gain from the decision by the United States supreme court yesterday upholding the Adamson act. A An official spokesman for the Na- tional conference committes of rail- Wway managers authorized the follow- ing statement: “The ohief 'thing: that the country has gained out of this .decision that it establishes beyond doubt that the government through congress has full power to prevent railroad strikes, ‘The opinfon as read by Chief Justice ‘White makes'it plain that employes of interstate carriers, because of the public character of the railroads, are affected with a public interest ' and that they have no more right to strike and tie up the commerce of the coun- try than have soldiers and sailors. “The same idea was expressed by President Wilson in a public speech at Shadow Lawn during the campaign, when he said: ‘America_is never going to say to any individual *“you must work whether you want to or not,” but it is privileged to say to an organization of persons, ‘“you must not interrupt the national life with- fout consulting us.” * It is understood that Secretary Lane, who was chiefly instrumental in bringing about the settlement, belleves that this broad .opinion from the court as to public duties of the em- ployes is the most important thing gained. 6REEK BLOCKADE LIFTED Being Taken Off Ships. turn to Athens, London, March 20, 12:06 p. m.— Ministers to Greece of the Entente na- tions have again taken up their resi- dence in Athens Reuter’s correspond- ent there reports. The discharge of cargo of wheat destined for Piraeus begins today. The adinission of wheat to Greece indicates the lifting of the blockade which has been in effect for several weeks causing widespread suffering. The blockade was imposed ' by the Entente to enforce compliance of Greece with its demands, the most im- portant of which were the transfer. of the army to Lower Greece and the dis- banding of the reservists. BENCH WARRANTS IN R. R. TICKET SCANDAL county jail. Over-- Adolph Witkin Arrested Under Order ' From Superior Court—Police i Now Seeking McNamara. Adolph Witkin of 287 Elm street, one of the trio held under bonds of $1,000 on charges of forgery in con- nection with the alleged conspiracy to defraud the “New Haven” road by means of counterfeit railroad tickets, was arrested this noon by Detective Samuel Bamforth upon a bench war- rant, issued in superior court at Hart- ford upon the request of State’s At- torney Hugh M. Alcorn. Frank Me- Namara of 47 Chestnut street, who was released on bail following t)_n‘ hearing yesterday in police court, is being sought on a bench warrant. He is reported to have left the city and believed te be in Bridgeport. The authoritles of that city will be communicated with and a request made that he be located. Harry Gordon of 34 Willow street, the third member of the trio, went to jail yes- terday in default of bail. ‘While officials are extremely 'ret- icent as to the meaning of this un- expected and drastic action, it is be- lleved that information in their pos- session is of such a sensational na- ture, sheds light on one of the most’ daring and clever conspiracies in the annals of railroading and implicates persons so prominent that fear was | felt that the “brains” of the alleged ,conspiracy Wwould take steps to try and check damaging testimony, even in the face of the heavy bail. | Officials refuse to affirm or deny the rumor that railroad officials have offcred $5,000 as a reward for in- formation that will lead to the arrest of the men “higher up,” their .con- viction and the securing of the die and other material used In the issu- ance of the tickets, JTALIAN CLOCKS ADVANCED. Rome, via Paris, March 20.—A de- cree has been promulgated directing ‘nll Italian clocks to be advanced one Lour from April 1 to September 30. ERALD & ESTABLISHED 1 and Machinist Only | Uprising Kept From Him Until Between 100,000 and 900,000 American Warship Active Factor Warfare If Hos Are Declared | L WILL RECRUIT WO! FOR DUTY ON ported to Belicve Count: From City of Memphis COUNTRY VIRTUAZA! e ‘Washington, March 2 steps to protect American Property against the 1 tions of German submarines pected to take some more’ form' after today’s cabinet m As has been the case since cial Washington acknowled state of war pmactically tween the United States there . is a wide range of on the precise action Pre contemplates but there is ng ground for any forecast. - Calling of congress in . sion before ‘April 16, the chosen for: its assembl; ues foremost among the but there are no indicati their -exeytion range ‘even co-operation at 'sea {ith t and French fleets to clear subm from sthe shipping lanes. The New Orleans navy ¥ today ordered .to build at on submarine chasers. The New navy' yard yesterday was orde ‘build sixty. : : Fort Machinery at Wi Without waiting for the tion President Wilson is issue today or tomorrow, th of war exists between "{3 States and Germany, the today prepared definitely for action to clear transatlantic lanes of Gernian submarines protect the coast. b~ Sixty submarine chasers, sp foot craft, were ardered from 5\ York navy yard to be comp about two months, and bids more will be opened by the n partment tomorrow.’ The naval academy was ord graduate the senior class 4 the junior class in September, 374 more junior officers may be'd ily available. The president authorized ture of the $115,000,000 fund provided by congress tp construction of warships and ed the eight hour law in plants’ government work. 3 Navy .officers proposed calling 'out/ privately o boats offered by their owners fo patrol work, and for g 2,000 submarine chasers boats which it is estimated ready for action within four To Rush U-Boat Oh The department has called navy yards fitted to undertal boat construction to submit as to the number of subma! ¥ ers they can turn out quickly. 3 Bhemerton, Mare Island, mouth, Beston, Charleston’ yards probably will be = n construction of chasers to the tent of their capacity. Itis that the construction of 150 or chasers may be provided for in way in addition to twenty or mng be ordered tomorrow frem pi builders. The chasers are designed thirty-five knots. Women Will Be Recruif Secretary Daniels today cord val commandants at shore all recruiting offices to be p! enlist women in the actual n& vice in case of an emergency. The judge advocate general ruled that women can be enlistis der the laws regulating recr! n ‘While it is not intended to women aboard ships, they ,m utilized for shore duty in’‘cong with coast defense work. ~ _ Grades corresponding to A man class will be given to thes ifying as clerks, typlsts, or’ positions. Training in camps, ber of which have been organi der the auspices of the navy k also will be recognized by na 14 (Continued on Ninth