Norwich Bulletin Newspaper, February 17, 1916, Page 1

- Norwich L " VOL. Lviu~—No. 4 . The Bulletin’s Circulation in Norwich is Double RUSSIANS CAPTURE KEY TO ASIA MINOR Erzerum, Turkey’s Chief Town in Armenia, Now in the Hands of the Muscovites AFTER BATTLE LASTING OVER PERIOD OF 5 DAYS It Will Now be Possible for the Russians to Fight Their Way Toward Their Compatriots 6penhng in Northwest and West Persia—The British and Germans Are Still in Deadly Battle for Possession of the Trenches Captured From the British Southwest of Ypres—In Albania the Austrians and Bulgarians Are Battling for the Capture of the Important Seaport of Durazzo—Strumitsa , Bul- garia, Raided by Thirteen French Aeroplanes—Several Fires Started by Bombs. Erzerum, Turkey's chief city in Ar- menta, is in the hands of the Russians. Heavy ~assaults by the Russians against the long line of detached forts protecting the city, lasting over a per- iod of five days and described by Grand Duke Nicholas, the Russian commander-in-chief, as “unprecedent- cd” have resulted in the capture of the_fortress. Unofficial reports early in the pres- ent month said the German field Mar- shal Von Der Goltz with $0,000 men was besieged in the city with pro- visions for only a fortnight. Of Great Strategic Importance. The capture of Erzerum is consid- ered of great strategic importance. From it radiate roads leading in all directions. Over those to the south- east and south it will be possible for the Ruyssians now to fight their way toward theri compatriots operating against the Persians and Turks in northwest and west Persia, or preceed south toward Bagdad, to the relief of the British bottled up in Kut-el-Ama- ra, on the Tigris, southeast of Bag- lad. Immediate Effect Conjectural. The fmmediate effect of the Russian victory on the situation in Persia and Mesopbtamia is problematical, how- aver, for despite the roads the coun- iry is mountainous and there is still much ground to be covered—some- hing over 200 miles before the Lake Urumiah district of Persia is reached «ng over 600 miles before a junction with the British at Kut-el-Amara could be formed, With the advent of stormy weather on_the western battle line, the heavy fighting of the past few days seem- ingly has simmered down again to artillery bombardments and mining operations. Berlin reports, however, that the British and French have e deavored to re-capture trench posi- tions taken from them by the Ger- mans, respectively southeast of Ypres and in Champagne near Tahure, but that the attacks failed. Paris as- serts, on the contrary, that near Ta- hure the French have re-taken por- tons of their former trenches. British and Germans in Deadly Grips. The British and Germans are still at deadly grips for possession of the trenches captured from the British southeast of Ypres, artillery and hand grenades being employed in the fight- ing. London reports that in the at- tack in which the British lost 600 yards of a front line trench the Ger- mans attacked over a front of 4,000 vards but were everywhere repulsed with considerable losses except at the woint the trench was captured. Snow on Russian Front. On the Russian front a snowstorm along the entire line has almost stopped operations. The usual bombardments, interspersed with in- fantry attacks, continue on the Aus- tro-Italian front. Action in Albania, In Albania. the Austrians and Bul- garians are said to have formed a Jjunction and are battling for the cap- ture of the important seaport of Du- razzo, which is being defended by Essad Pasha’s forces, consisting of Al- banians, Serbians and Montenegrins. Raid by French Aeroplane: Strumitsa, Bulgaria, has been raid- ed by 13 French aeroplunes which dropped 158 bombs and returned to their base unscathed. Seberal fires were started by the bombs. The ministers of the entente powers have informed the Belgian government that hostilities against the Teutons and their allies will not be permitted to end without Belgium having re- established its political and economic independerce. They added that the Belglan government also would be called upon to take part in the peace negotiations, driving LYMAN CLEANED UP $500,000 AS A BROKER Louis B, Thornet Says He Promised to Teach Him the Methods. New York, Feb. 16.—Additional de- tails. regarding the operations of J. Grant Lyman, sought by the federal authorities for stock swindling by use of the mails, were disclosed today at a hearing in the involuntary bank- ruptcy proceedings asainst John H. Putnam & Co., the firm name under which Lyman conducted a brokerage business in this city. Louis B. Thornet, charged with be- ing a co-conspirator with Lyman, tes- tified that his employer had_informed him he had “cleaned up” $500,000 as a broker and promised to teach him “the methods of the street” Thornet, who has confessed he aided Lyman in escaping from a Los Angeles hospi- tal where he was a prisoner, asserted he — unexpectedly met Lyman _in Springfield, Mass,, last November. The witness sald he was working at that time in a machine shop and gladly ac- cepted an offer of a salary double what he was then earning. Another witness, an emplove of a brokerage house, stated he had heard reports that Lyman had a contract for supplying the United States army with woolen socks and that he intend- ed to engage in the munitions' busi ness on a large scale. Miss Alice Lyman, sister of Lyman, admitted that on previous occasions she had received mail for her brother but declared she had no knowledse of his operations here. Among the sther witnesses were two chauffeurs employed by Lyman at different timse. WORKMEN AVERAGING $14 A DAY GO ON STRIKE. Drop Forgers, Di kers and Trim- mers of Bridgeport Remington Plant. Bridgeport, Conn., Feb. 16.—One hundred /drop forgers, die sinkers and trimmers emploved at the Remington Arms apd Ammunition company went sut on strike this afternoon an dit is axgected that fifty more men will I:ave thetr henckes tomorrow morning. A aisagréement over the payment for spolled work is the cause of the walk- out on strike this afterncon and it is that work spoiled by the men must be paid for by the operatives. -The men -claim that it is unfair o force them to pay for material which then reverts to the ownership of the com- pany. Ariother contention of the men 1is that those who work on a piece work basis are frequently forced to labor without being paid for it. The com- pany counters with the statement that theke men earn on an average of $14 a day, and that they should be will~ ing to do a little extra work when tools for their particular calling are xu:?u nion officials predicted tonight that uf some settiement is reached to- m W every man in the vast fac- o] ‘will be called out. The com- y spokesman expected the men to lurn to work in the morning. - AMERICAN MADE MUNITIONS POURING INTO EUROPE At the Rate of Nearly Two Million Dollars’ Worth Daily. ‘Washington, Feb. made war munitions are now pouring into Europe at the rate of nearly two million dollars worth daily, with the figures swelling rapidly as production 16.—American- increases. For a long time after the war began shipments were negligible and not until the middle of 1915 did the millions of dollars worth of war materials contracted for begin to move in considerable quantities. Estimates made at the department of commerce today put total muni- tions shipments since Europe began 0 purchase for the present war close to a quarter of a billion dollars. At the rate shipments are going now, the next four months would see this total doubled even if production remained at a standstill, but prediction is de- clared to be growing faster now than at any time since Americrn manufac- turers began conversion of their Jlants into munitions factories. A great part of the munitions out- put has been in the form of high ex- plosive shells, more than one hundred million dollars worth of which have left Afnerican shores. Powder comes next with shipments estimated at nearly one hundred millions and small arm cartridges are third with $30,000,- 000. Firearms, including ordnance exports, are put less than $20,000,000 with small increases shown. The heaviest month’s firearms shipments was in January, 1915, when more than $2,000,000 worth went to Europe. HEAVY MORTALITY FROM GRIP AND PNEUMONIA 501 Victims of Former Dise: and 206 of Latter Malady in State Dur- ing January—Total Mortality 2170. New Haven, Conn, Feb. 16.—The heavy mortality from grip and pneu- monia is mentioned specifically in the monthly report of the State oBard of Health for January issued today. This is the first Bulletin which bears the signature of Dr. John T. Black, the new secretary. The victims of pneumonia were 501 as compared with 214 for January of last year while grippe claimed 206 as compared with 13. The total mortality of the state for January was 2170, 645 more than in January, 1915. A short treatise on the two prevalent infections by Prof. H. W. Conn of the state laboratory deals particularly with their charac- gr which is defined as of germ ori- n. Movements of Steamships. Kidkwall, Feb. 15.—Arrived, Steam- er Hellig Olav, New York for Copen- Gibraltar, Feb. 14.—Sailed: Steamer Napoli (from Naples) New York. Laverpool, Feb, 15.—Sailed: Steamer Scandinavian, St. John,-N. B. New York, Feb. 16—Arrived: Steam- er Espagne. Bordeaux. POPULATION 28219 NORWICH, CONN., THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1916 PRICE TWO CENTS Cabled_ Parag;'aph_s | Sir Wilfrid Lawson Resigns. Cockermouth, England, Feb. 16, 9.15 p. m—The constituents of Sir Wilfrid Lawson, member of parliament for this district, have accepted his resigna- tion, which was tendered on the ground that he was unable to support the war policy of the government. Sir Wiitrid is on® of the small section of the lib- eral party who are called “Little Eng- landers.” PRINCIPLES OF NEW SUBMARINE CAMPAIGN Is Delaying Settlement of the Lusi- tania Controversy. Washington, Feb. 16.—The subma- rine controversy with Germany can- not be closed until the United States has fully considered the possible effect of the declared intention of the Ger- manic powers to sink all armed mer- chant ships of their enemies without warning after Feb. 29, This announcement was made by Secretary Lansing today instead of the long expected announcement of a final settlement of the Lusitania nego- tiations. Perfected by months of patient and at times perilous negotlations, the Lusitania agreement was presented today by Count Von Bernstorff, the German ambassador, in a form which would have been acceptable to the United States had not the Germanic powers announced their determina- tion to regard armed merchant ships of their encmies as warships. The Lusitania agreement now will not be accepted as finally satisfactory to the United States until President Wilson and Secretary Lansing have decided whether any of its terms would be nullified by the principles of the new submarine campaign. FARIST STEEL CO. PLANT BRIDGEPORT, BURNED. Three Large Main Buildings Wiped Out—Loss Upward of $450,000. Bridgeport, Conn., Feb. 16.—The big plant of the Farist Stee] com was almost . completely destroyed. fire late tonight with a loss estimated at upward of $450,000. Three large main buildings of the plant were completely wiped out. The cririn of the fire is unknown to- night It slarted in the rolling mill, more than ffty feet from the nearest futnace. and the fires had been pulled from the furnaces five hours earlier. Fersons living in the vicinity said a slisht explosion was heard shortly before the fire was sedn. The night watchman could give no explanation or treor: The rrivate fire alarm box in the fictory fa’led to work and there was delay ‘in eending in the call from an- other box. A test of the private box after the firc was under contrc: show- cd trat it cid not register. The company was very busy furn- ishing steel for the Remington, Arms and _Ammunition company and runiing at full capacity. It has no Airect war orders of any kind. Two firemen were seriously injured being caught under falling walls and ¢re now in a hospital. CHILDREN OBJECT TO WILL OF MOTHER. Claim That Mrs. Susan M. Beardsley of Shelton Was Incompetent. Sheiton, Conn.,, Feb. _ 16.—Judge Stephen T. Palmer of the probate court today declined to admit for pro- bate the will of Mrs. Susan M. Beards- ley, on objection by the three children of Mrs. Beardsley, who alleges that their mother was incompentent to make a will and unduly influenced. TUnder the will bequests of $1,000 each were made to the New York Bast Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, to the Methodist Episcopal church in Skelton, the board of mis- sions and church ‘extension of the Methodist Episcopal church and the Derby and Shelton Young Men's Major Thomas Kelly Boggs. (‘hrilslian associations. The meal- Flushing, N. Y. Feb. 16.—Major so directed that notes held by Mrs. elly Be v = Beardslep, including one by Rev. R.|mmomes Kelly Boggs, who won com F. Kidder, of Ansonia for $900, be can- celled. Mrs. Bertha Hotchkiss, a daughter, was given $1,000 and named as admin- istratrix but she' joined with two brothers, who were left out of the will in protesting its admission. The es- tate is valued at about $16.000. DISMISSED MIDSHIPMAN KNOCKS DOWN INSTRUCTOR. They Came to Blows on the Street Af- ter an Angry Conversation. Annapolis, Md, Feb. 16—T. W. Harrison, Jr., of Virginia, one of the 82 midshipmen who recéntly were forced to resign fro mthe naval acad- emy because of deficiencies in studies, this afternoon knocked down Instruc- tor Julian M. Lacalle of the academy when the two men came to blows after an angry conversation on the streets. Friends quickly separated them and neither was badly hurt. Harrison was one of the youths in- volved in the “gouging” scandal at the academy last summer, being one of the seven original defendants before the courtmartiai, all but one of whom were acquitted. He was a football player and all around athlete of note. In- structor Lacalle teaches in the depart- ment of modern languages, from which depart examination papers were al- leged to have been stolen and circu- lated among the midshipmen just prior to the final examinations last year. DEBATE ON AIR DEFENSE OF GREAT BRITAIN lled Forth Many Frank Admissions in Parliament. London, Feb. 16, 9.55 p. m.—Today's debate in parliament on the air defense of Great Britain was chiefly remarka- ble for the frank admission made by the cabinet's spokesmen that the pres- ent conditions are far from satisfac- tory. Andrew Bonar Law, secretary for the colonies; A. J. Balfour, first lord of the admiralty; and H. J. Ten- nant, under-secretary for war, all spoke in this vein. They deciared, however, that the government was do- ing all that was humanly possible. Mr. Balfour scored the sensation of the day when he declared that one of England’s great mistakes in the days prior to the war was her failure to develop a_dirigible airship fleet along lines similar to that of Germany. Comedian Drops Dead. Troy, N. Y., Feb. 16.—Frank L. Bar- ry, a well known comedian, who has appeared in pratically all the princi- pal vaudeville houses in . the country, fell dead on the street here tonight. He was 34 years old. » hat of_.Any Other Paper, and lts Total Circulation is the Largest in Connecticut in Proportion to the City’s Population Gollapse of an - Opera House CAUSED DEATH OF TEN PERSONS AT MEXIA, TEXAS | MANY WERE INJURED Gas Explosion Which Followed the Collapse, Caused Fire Which Threatened the Busines: a Section of the Town. Mexia, Téxas, Feb. 16.—Ten persons werc killed here early tonight in_the collapse of thé opera house. building, which was followed by a gas explosion and fire that for a time threatened the business section of the town. Nu- merous persons were injured. Searching for Buried Bodies. Search continued late Into the night for the other bodies which it was feared might buried in the ruins, al- though it was believed that all the persons in the building had been ac- counted for. ' The dead includefl Prof. A. B. Wiesner, superintendent of city schools, Mrs. Weisner and one of their ildren, and Prof. O. B. Bruton of Winnsboro, Tex. Spectators Had Begun *to Assemble. Only the fact that the accident oc- curred at an early hour is believed to have prevented a larger loss of life. The opera house, which was old and seldom used, had been opened for an art exhibition for the public schools which gave promise of being largely attended. The spectators had begun to assemble when the structure gave way, burying them in debris and heavy timbers. Gas Explosion Caused Fire. A gas explosion followed almost im- mediately. This caused fire in the wreckage. The flames spread to other buildings, including the Farmers States bank, and so rapid was the progress of the fire that it seemed certain to con- sume the town. After four hours, the fire was got under control. STUPENDOUS FINANCIAL COST OF EUROPEAN WAR. Britain Faces National Debt of £2,200,- 000,000 — Germany’s Expenditures £1,500,000,000. London, Feb. 16, 10.38 p. m.—The chancellor of the exchequer, Reginald McKenna, announced today that the British national debt at the end of the financial year, March 31, will be £2.200,000,000. - Germany’s. gross war. expenditure to. the end of 1015 was morn than £1,50 000,000. Credits voted by France be- tween the outbreak of the war and the end ot December, 1915, were about £1,240,000,000, and for the first quar- ter of ‘1916, £300,920,000. FRIEND OF JEAN CRONES TAKEN INTO CUSTODY. Chemists Have Discovered Nature of Another Poison in Kitchen Utens: Chicago, Feb. 16.—Antonio Coda To- nione, 24 years old, was taken into cus. tody this afterncon by detectives fol- lowing receipt of information from the New York police that he was a friend of Jean Crones, the University club assistant chef, believed by the police to have put poison in the soup of the guests at the Archbishop Mundelein banquet last Thursday night. He gave as his address the number at which Crones formerly lived. OBITUARY. mendatiop for bravery in several en- gagements in the Civil war, died after a long illness at his home here today at the age of 77 years. He was acting assistant adjutant general of the Unit- ed States forces in 1864 and also was acting assistant inspector general on the staffs of Generals Getty and Aber- crombie. Evidence Favors ‘the C. V. Railway OF CONTINUING OPERATION SOUND STEAMSHIPS NEW LONDON TO N. Y. F. V. Chappell of New London Told I. C. C. That Deprivation of Control of the Steamships Would be a “Bus. iness Crime.” New York, Feb. 16—Evidence in support of the application of the Cen- tral Vermont railway for permission to continue the operation of a line of steamships between New York and New London, Conn., under the Panama canal act, was presented here today to Interstate Commerce Commissioner Judson C. Clements by business men ana shippers living in New York and New England. Would Cause Broken S| F. V. Chappell, chairman of the riv- ers, harbors and bridges commission of Connecticut, declared if the railway company was deprived of control of the steamships of the Vermont Trans- portation company it would be a “business crime.” He joined with other witnesses In contending that the divorcing of the two corporations would be unfortunate because the un- broken shipments could be made from the Central Vermont's territory. Service of C. V. Uniformly Good. Testimony was given to show that the service given by the Vermont Cen- tral had been uniformly good and that so far as the witnesses knew no ef- had been made by the railroad to fle competition. It was maintained that if steamships were operated in- dependently freight rates would be higher. The hearing will be continued to- morrow. COMMITTEE HEARING ON BRANDEIS’ FITNESS. Sidney W. Winslow of Shoe Machinery Co. Cross-Examined. ‘Washington. Feb. 16.—Cross exam- inaticn of Sidney W. Winslow, presi- dent of the United Shoe Machinery company, regarding his charges of un- professional conduct against Louis D. Brandeis featured the hearing today and tonight before the senate sub. committee investigating Br. Brandeis’ fitness for the supreme court of the United States. Early in the day the committee ac- cepted_the _services of .G. W.. Ander- son, dYEEREE > “meyl f Boston, to look after the interests of Mr. Bran- deis during the inquiry, inasmuch as Austin G. Fox of New York had been sent to the hearing to represent A, Lawrence Lowell, president of Harvard university an.da group of Boston at- torneys opposed to Mr. Brandeis' con- firmation. In his examination of Mr. Winslow, Mr. Anderson sought to show that Mr. Brandeis had urged the United Shoc Machinery company to change the “tying” clause in its leases before suits were brought against it by the government and that he severed all relations with the company because Winslow refused to change the leas- es. PRESIDENT SIGNS FIRST NATIONAL DEFENSE BILL Increasing Entrance Class at Naval Academy by 300 Cadets, Washington, Feb. 16.—President Wilson today signed the first of the national defence bills. One increases the entrance class at the naval aca- demy by 300 cadets and the other males immediately available $300,000 for facilities for building warships at the Mare Island navy yard and $100,- 000 for like improvements at the New York mavy yard. The Canadian soldiers are equipped with motor-cars which can be driven from either end so as to allow greater flexibility of movement. The bullet intended for the heart of Gunner Burgoyne of the British: fleld artillery, who lives in Oldham road, Bardsley, ,Ashton-under-Lyné, Lan- cashire, entered the back of a.Bible (the gift of his mother-in-law). It Dpenetrated as far as the first chapter of St. Mark’s gospel, and its nose fested on a celluloid bookmark in the form. of-a floral ‘cross. Gunner Bur- goyne was getting the range for the guns, and a. German: soldier fired at him. The Bible was in the pocket immediately over his heart. Condensed Telegrams 8ir William Turner, principal of Ed- inburgh University, died, aged 83. Bulgaria is reported to have demand- ed the right to purchase food supplies from Rumania. A branch factory to cost $350,000 will be established at Seattle by the American~Can Co. A report from Geneva, Switzerland, states that Rumania has purchased 14,000 horses from Russia. 3 Austria is suffering from a leather shortage. Shoes with wooden soles been introduced from Germany. Potato tickets have been introduced at Leipsic, Germany. Each person is allowed seven pounds of potatoes weekly. The Baldwin Locomotive Works has let a contract for a new factory ad- dition to its Philadelphia plant, to cost $500,000. The schooner Goldie Bell of St. John's N. F., was wrecked on the British coast, off the Lizard. The crew was saved. Directors of the Maine Central Rail- road declared an initial dividend of $150 per shares on the new preferred stock, payable March 11. Wool workers at Bradford, Eng., who had a dispute with the manufact- urers, have been awarded an increase of 6 per cent. in wages. Because of the large number of de- mands for inviations to White House receptions President and Mrs. Wilson now pass on all invitations. As a result of a breakdown caused by the war, American Ambassador George T. Marye at Perograd, is re- ported to be planning to resign. Harry Gordon, alias “Boofkey”, was fined $50 and costs and sent to jail for thirty days for passing a forged checks on a’ New Britain business man. Lo sustained by 80 merchants at Saonica by the recent Zeppelin bom- bardment are placed at $1,125,000 by the Calonica Chamber of Commerce. The National Association of Insur- ance Agents at the conference in Chi- cago seleceted Boston for the nation- al convention to be held in September. Don Carlos Loaiza, a nattorney, well known in Sonora, has been arrested at Montezuma and sentenced to death as a plotter against the Carranza gov- ernment. tary investigation will be made into the action of soldiers - at Berlin, Ont., in wrecking the costly memorial to the Kaiser's grandfather in Vic- toria Park. Angus Newell of Boston, an ice eut- ter,;was struck by a southbound pas- senger train on the Boston & Maine railroad at East Andover, N. H., and instantly killed. % The Rev. Charles F. Dole, D. D. pas- tor of the First Congregational church of Jamaica Plain, Mass., for forty years and widely known in New Eng- land, has resigned. Thomas H. Judd of New Briain has been appointed to a clerkship in the state treasurer's office. He succeeds D. J. Kelly, who resigned to become post- master in Deep River. The Southington National Bank se- lected Charles E. Smith of Chester as cashier to fill the vacancy caused by the suicide of Louis K. Curtiss, who left a shortage of $37,500. President H. A. Middleton of Broad Brook presided at the annual meeting of the New England Tobacco Growers' association at Hartford at which about 400 members were present. The submarine E.-2 shattered in an explosion of the new Edison subma- rine batteries, will be used as a lab- oratory where investigations of the batteries will be continued. One hundred and sixty at the plant of the Royal Weaving Co.. at Pawtucket, R. I, went on a strike for an increase in pay and a change in working conditions. Peter McNeil, dock master of the Battery Landing, New York, made his 28th rescue when he saved from drowning Michael Martin, 48 of Brook- lyn, who had fallen into the water while trying to board a steamer. s spoolers Porter Bond, said to be temporarily insane, shot and killed Harley Gray and Melvin Hubble, his attendants, after they had taken hi mto a sanatari- um at Martinsville, Ind., for treat- ment. All three came from Coal City. A commission of prominent Russian literary men left Petrograd for Eng- land to make a tour of inspection of British munition plants so they may deliver lectures to Russian troous anl civilians on England’s part in the war. James Holloway, of Raleigh, color- ed fireman, was killed and H. J. Wells, engineer and Frank L. Stockwell, road foreman of engines, were badly scalded when the northbound Florida Limited of the Seaboard Air Line was wrecked at Franklinton, N. C. APPLICANTS FOR ENTRY TO NAVAL ACADEMY Largest Number Ever Will Take Ex- aminations Next April. Washington, Feb. 16.—The largest number of applicants that has ever sought at one time to enter the naval academy at Annapolis probably will take entrance examinations April 18 next. Rear Admiral Blue, chief of the bureau of navigation, today notified 529 representatives and senators that the recent act increasing the number of midshipmen entitled each of them to appoint ‘another applicant imme- diately. The admiral designated April 18_as the date for examinations. Under the law representatives are permitted to hold the appointments over until next year if they desire. WOMAN SHOT AND KILLED BY ANOTHER On a Crowded Interurban Car at Hunt- ington, W. Va, Huntingten, W. Va. Feb. 16.—Mrs. Rose Wood, a young married woman, was shot and instantly killed on:a crowded Huntington-Ashland interur- ban car today by Mrs. Leonard Defoe, who claimed that Mrs. Wood had alienated -her husband’s affections. Mrs. Wood died almost instantly. Mrs. Defoe surrendered to the police N. Y. DELEGATION IS UNINSTRUCTED Resolution for Recommendation of Elihu Root as Re< publican Presidential Nominee Defeated i 7 4 S SN WHITMAN AND BARNES FACTIONS BREAK EVEli Barnes Men Fought Against the Endorsement of the Whitmars Administration and Opposed Him as Leader of Delegas tion to National Convention—Delegates Chosen Are James Wadsworth, Jr., Charles Whitman, Frederick C. Tanner and Elon R. Brown—As Wadsworth, Tanner and Brown Are All Reputed to be Anti-Whitman Men the Committee’s Decision Was Taken as a Defeat for Gov- ernor Whitman—Platform Contains Demands for Ade quate Military Preparedness and Tariff Reform, Opposes Granting Early Independence to the Philippines and Ine sists on a Vigorous Stand for American Rights Both i Mexico and in Relation to the European War. New York, Feb. 16.—The republican national campalgn will be fought on demands for adequate military pre- paredness and tariff reform, opposi- tion to granting early independence to the Philippines and insistence on a vigorous stand for American rights both in Mexico and in relation to the European war, according to the “Key- note” platform adopted today by the republican etate conventon. Fight Against Whitman. The outlines of the platform, which was approved unanimously, were pre- sented last night in a speech of former Senator Elihu Root. No difference of opinion was apparent among the $32 delegates to the convention in regard to the platform, but a bitter fight was precipitated by the attempt of the sup- porters of Governor Whitman to se- cure an unqualified endorsement for his administration and to force his nomination as chairman of the delega- tion to the national convention in Chi- cago. Uninstructed Delegation. The net result was that New York state will send an uninstructed delega- tion to the national convention if the action ‘of the conventien is_upheld. by the voters at the primary election in April. A determined fight, led by Henry L. Stimson, to obtain a resolution rec- ommending Mr. Root as New York's favorite son for the presidency ' was defeated in the committee on resolu- tions, and a counter resolution that no presidential candidate be endorsed was passed unanimously. Opposition to Endorsement of Root. The principal ground upon which the opponents of the Root discuesion fought was that an endorsement of Mr. Root would preciude the possi- bility of New York putting forward Supreme Court Justice Charles E. Hughes as the state candidate for the presidency. Nicohlas Murray, chair- man of the committee, issued a formal statement in which he said that Mr. Root was himself opposed to the use of his name. Battle Between Whitman and Barnes Factions. The big battle in the convention was fought out between the “old line” or-| ganization republicans under leader- shi pof William Barnes and the eup- porters of Governor Whitman. The Barnes men entered the convention. with the avowed purpose of refusing an endorsement of the Whitman ad- ministration and preventing the gov- ernor from heading the’New York dele- gation to the national convention. Compromise Resolutions. The question of endorsement ended in a compromise by which two reso- lutions were presented to the conven- tion, one dealing exclusively with na tional affairs and the other “commend- ing” Governor Whitman for his com- duct of the state administration. National Delegates. This partial victory of the governor was offset by a complete defeat om the question of the national delegates, The Whitman forces had united all their strength in an effort to nominate David Jayne Hill of Rochester as one of “Big Four,” the Barnes faction de- clared themselves absolutely opposed to Dr. Hill and presented instead the name of William Berri of Brooklyn. After a-Aght-wnich lasted for four hours, the commiitee on delegates finally agreed on State Senator James Wadeworth, Jr., Charles Whitman, Frederick C. Tanner and Elon R. Brown, republican leader in the state senate. As Wadsworth, Tanner and Brown are all reputed anti-Whitman men, the committee’s decision was ac- cepted as a decisive defeat for Gover- nor Whitman, No Recommendation for Chairman. The committee further announced that no recommendation would be made as to chairman of the “Big Four” in _spite of Governor Whitman's pub- lished declaration that he expected to be named @s head of the national dele- gation. To add point to the announce. ment, Senator Wadsworth's name headed the list given out by the com- mittee and was the first put in nomi- nation at the convention. According to custom, the first delegate named acts as chairman, although the matter of leader is left for final decision to the delegates themselves. NO EVIDENCE OF INCENDIARISM FOUND ‘ln Fire on Brooklyn Waterfront Which Destroyed Three British Ships. New York, Feb. 16.—No evidence of incendiarism has been found by Chief Fire Marshal Brophy, it was an- nounced tonight, in connection with the fire on the Brooklyn waterfront early today which cauged the destruc- tion of three British steamships, 37 lighters and barges, a new 900 foot pier belonging to the New York Dock company and $1,000,000 worth of mer- chandise consigned to the entente al- lies. The total loss is estimated at be- tween $3,000,000 and $4,000,000. Although mearly 300 persons were imperilled by the flames, which raged flercely for several hours, only one was unaccounted for tonight. The missing man was a member of the crew of one of the steamers. Several persons were injured, however, and there were many sensational rescues. There were reports throughout the day that the fire was started by an dncendiary, but they probably were based upon the fact that the immense quantity of merchandise on board the vessels and on the pier was destined for European governments now en- gaged in war. - A rigid investigation conducted by officials of the fire de- partment has convinced them that de- fective electric wiring was responsible for the flames. DANIELS MODIFIES WIRELESS CENSORSHIP Announcement Mads Scon After Ger- man Ambassador Had Asked for Ex- planation. Washington, ~ Feb. 16.—Secretary Danlels announced today that he ‘would authorize a modification of the regulations under which wireless des Ppatches are ceisored by naval officers 80 as to permit, when no violation of neutrality was involved, the passage of messages referring to naval vessels and operation of belligerent ship: This_announcement wus made soon after Count Von Bernstorff, the Ger- man ambassador, had asked the state departmént for an explanation of why the American naval censors at Say- ville, N. Y., had refected wireless des- patches from Beriin, containing offi- cial announcements from the admiral- ty which the British censors had passed for publication in England. Mr. Daniels explained that censors had acted under the existing regula- tions, drafted by a’ board of naval ARGUMENTS ON TEXAS PACIFIC RECEIVERSHIP On Petition of Bankers’ Trust Com- pany of New York. Dallas, Tex., Feb. 1.—Arguments ‘were begun here today before Federal Judge E. R. Meek on the petition of the Bankers' Trust company of New York seeking the appointment of & recelver for the Texas and Pacifie railroad on the allegation that the railroad had defauited on interest on a second mortgage bond issue of $2i 000,000, issued in 1886, since 1907. At torneys for the road argued for the dis- missal of the petition, alleging the federal court was without jurisdiction.’ It was believed that two days would be occupied before the case would be heard on its merits if the court should find it had jurisdiction, and not the state courts, as declared by the de- fense. LABOR TROUBLE IN ' ANSONIA BRASS MILLS Laborers Deman: E- g Wage Increase of Cent. Ansonia, Conn., Feb. 16.—Demand- ing an _increase of 25 per cent im wages, $00 laborers in the brass milis ¢ the Ansonia branch of the Ameri- can Brass company went on a_strike late today. There was no disorder. " It is reported that the company is will- ing to allow the men an increase of 10 per cent. and it is expected that.a 4 tomorrow. de- conference will be h When the employes in the copper partment received their wages t they were notified of a 10 per cemts commencing next week. The strikers are not members of & union. The mills are busy on war orders. Last- October, the cof g a5 - gave the men a voluntary increase of 10 per cent. in wages. VAST INCREASE IN Viclet Dye Advanced from $400 a Bar- rel to $12,000. Boston, Feb. 16.—The- shortage dyestuffs and the demand by manufacturers for this produet pointed out today by dealers who ported that a barrel of violet bought 14 months ago for $400, been sold here for $12,000, an in of 3,000 per cent. Editor Guilty of Murder. Purvis, Miss., Feb. 16—Dr. E. Rees, editor of a weekly newsp ‘here, today was found guilty of COST OF DYESTUFFS. 4 officers after an exhaustive study of the question of' Censorship and pro- Mbm':; lhe tranamission calnto this coun any message reférring to “movements or location of war or ather vessels of belligerents.” murder of Wiley A. Blackburn, editos of a competing paper, last October, and was sentenced to life imprison: Blackburn was killed in the c house after a dispute with Rees bids for printing.