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Subscribers .rbe of The Daily Gate City are served the fnll Leased Wire Service of the United Press Associations. VOL. 122. NO. 77. |r Robert J. Bonder, United Press Staff Correspondent.} WASHINGTON, March 30.—Any ex station that the administration puld recede from Its determination (break off diplomatic relations with fcrmany, if it 1b proved a German sub hrine attacked the Sussex, was re ived, it "was Intimated today, by Kws of the attack on the steamer Igle Point. Only prompt and com jete settlement of the whole sub line issue can prevent the threaten rupture—and there are officials ho believe such a settlement more fcely after relations have been broken before. sinking of the unarmed Eagle bint, with one American aboard mply adds to the proof that & gep Bl underwater campaign In defiance international law has been under lies officials believe. If this Is so, [must end and end quickly if the lilted States is to continue to deal ith Germany. Disavowal of single stances will not Jbu6 Ambassador Gerard has not yet re lied to the rush inquiry Secretary Otherwise, United States Will Break Off Diplo matic Relations With Germany With out a Doubt. INTERNATIONAL LAWJUSI BE OBEYED tecent Marine Disasters are Being Investigated to Learn if Germany has Reopened Her Illegal Warfare. suffice—nor repara- bn and punishment of guilty com J&nders. •Immediate cessation of ouch at lcks and settlement of the submarine in all its phases, including the Erogation of the armed merchantmen cree of March 1, may prevent the ak. But many officials are not pre yed to believe Germany will make kch concessions in short order. IDouble investigation of recent larine disasters. Involving Americans, under way. In the first place, Amer an officials in England and France -re seeking to determine definitely, on (sponsible evidence whether German pbsea vessels actually are guilty of opening illegal warfare. Secondly, .Jibassodar Gerard at Berlin is seek Ig Informally information from Ger many whether her submarines attaclt 1 the Sussex. Englishman, Manchest .• Engineer and Ea«lo Point. [Many affidavits in the various cases re expected soon but the most con Inaive evidence aside from possible lerman admission of responsibility momentarily anticipated from the aval and military attaches assigned examine the wrecked Sussex. pee Possible Explanations for Accident Which Cost Nearly Thirty Lives. Tnlted Press Leased Wire Service.] I CLEVELAND, Ohio, March 30.—ln 'cstigation to place tho blame for the |ouble wreck of three New York Cen »1 fliers at Amherst. Including the fwentieth Century limited, which pok a toll of twenty-seven lives and [Uur&fl over forty persons, two fatal* was under way here today. I Both state and federal officials were attend a hearing of railway em Poyes involved In the disaster, sum poned to tell their stories of the reck by the New York Central. H. r. Belnap, represented the Interstate ommerce commission: Ml J. HefTer ban and W. S. Packard, the state tilitles commission. Evidence al eady made public shows there are but hree possible explanations of the •reck and the probe was to be con victed along these lines: Did Engineer Herman Hess, of the -nd division of No. 86, whose train 'ded with the first section, fail to a block stop signal? rid A. H. Herst, Amherst tower fan, fall to set the block signal salnst Hess' train as Hess alleges? Did the signal apparatus work operly? Herat says it was faulty the Nerw York Central denies. lijf MtpilMif IjiTjn.l 111* ®k Lansing made for details within a short time after the channel packet Sussex wae attacked. State department officials today awaited receipt of the piece of metal said to be part of a German torpedo which was found In the wrecked part of the Sussex. Ambassador Bernstorff today flatly refused to discuss the Sussex and oth er recent cases. He fepudiated an in terview credited to him in which he was quoted as declaring a mine prob ably was responsible for the wrecking of the Sussex and also said there was no authority for the alleged "authori tative" announcement from Washing ton that Germany would disavow the Sussex attack. The state department had a cabla today from Ambassador Page at Lon don in which Page said he had learned "from a British official source" that a British destroyer which went to the rescue of Sussex passen gers was twice a target for torpedoes from a submarine. The Page report, confirming earlier press dispatches, said the torpedoes went wide. Von Bernstorff Catla. •WASHINGTON, March 80.—Ger man Ambassador Von Bernstorff called at the state department at noon today. It was assumed he would dis cuss the submarine situation and give to Secretary Lansing any information he might have regarding the latest submarine activities. Bernstorff spent a few minutes with Counsellor Polk. .. It was made known afterward that his visit concerned pending commer cial questions and that recent de struction of ships bearing Americans was not discussed. German CrW# Is passed. HEJRtLTN. March *0.—The submartne "crisis" in the German relchstag has completely passed, with a "rtctory toT .Chancellor Von Bethroann-Hollweg, who urged a conciliatory policy to ward neutrals. leaders of all parties today ex pressed their satisfaction at the ex planation made by the government at a secret session of the reich»ta„ main committee. They were partic iTTEMPT TO PLACE BLAME FOR NEW YORK CENTRAL WRECK The train crews of the Twentieth Century limited and the first section of No. SO were expected to be ab solved. The engineer of the latter stopped because the block signal was against him the engineer of the form er had no warning of an obstruction In his path. A -contributing faotor of the wreck was a heavy fog. Although the New York Central claims but twenty-six persons, twenty, four of them passengers, lost their lives, morgue officials oisagreed, say ing they had parts of twenty-seven bodies. There were two bodies at Lorain, two at Elyria and parts ot twenty-three at Amherst. Sixteen of the twenty-seven had been identified^ The other eleven may never be. Seven of the unknown dead were men three of them women. Pieces Out Bodies. CLEVELAND, Ohio, March 30.— Morgue attendants at Amherst, the scene of the disastrous New York Central doable wreck today pieced out one whole body from parts of a human form held in two different Backs. Before, both sacks were counted as a person each. This makes twenty-six known dead, as admitted by the railroad company in the wreck. Heretofore the morgue attendants at Amherst claimed they had twenty three bodies. By assembling the pieces today, they found they had bat twenty-two. I r» ffar fp larly Impressed by the speech of Ad miral Von Capelle, successor to Von Ti tz at the head at the department of marine. At the conclusion of the speeches, the progressive liberal party offered a resolution to postpone indefinitely the resolutions designed to hamper the chancellor In his dealings with Amer ica and other neutrals. These resolu tions, offered by the national liberal and conservative parties, directed that the government should make no agree ment with a foreign power limiting the use of submarine, except with respect to passenger carrying ships. If any attempt is made to revise these resolutions in the relchstag the progressive liberals will move an amendment. For the last sentence reading, "the liberty of the use of the submarine weapon shall be reserved in negotiation with foreign nations," they will offer as a substitute the phrase: "The liberty of the use ot the submarine against Germany's en emies shall be reserved in actual and further negotiations." Though the government is expected to issue some sort of statement on the meeting, every effort has been made to keep secret the actual state ments made by Bethmann-Hollweg and Admiral Von Capelle. To insure secrecy, the reichstag's Inspector per sonally supervised arrangements for the meeting. [United Press Leased Wire Service.] BERLIN, March 30.—The German war office this afternoon claimed no further Important gains In the fight ing around Malancourt, but announced the repulse of all French attacks in Avocourt wood, to the south. Vio lent artillery duels ooourred last night along the Meuse. [United press Leased Wire Service LONDON, Maroh 30.—That German submarines have entered on a new campaign of terrorism, despite all as surances to the contrary from Berlin, was the view unanimously taken by British officials today. In the first two weeks of the new boat war on armed merchantmen, In augurated March 1, the submarines proceeded cautiously, apparently un der strict orders from Berlin. During the past fortnight sinkings have aver aged from three to four ships a day. Admiralty officials said today they have positive proof tbat boat com manders have exercised no discrimin ation, but have torpedoed without warning numerous unarmed ships, often In the darkness. Sworn statements concerning re ported attacks on four vessels aboard which were Americans, are now en rout© to Washington. The British steamer Eagle Point, reported tor pedoed without warning, entered the (Continned on Page 8.) ["United Press Leased "Wire Service.] WASHINGTON, March 30.—Chair man Padgett of the house naval com mittee, staved ofT today for a time at least, a long anticipated heckling of Secretary of the Navy Daniels by "big navy" members of the commit- ^Daniels was allowed to tell In peace his plans to increase the navy personnel by 14,152 men and to warn the committee against giving too much heed to recommendations of in dividual officers who have not agreed with the general board. Today, tomorrow and Monday will be the last days for hearings. Pad gett explained, in announcing that the secretary should not be interrupted uptil he had completed his statement. He promised that when Daniels had finished, the time for asking questions would be divided fairly among the members. "Has there been any great demand for that time?" Britten, of nilnols, asked. He wishes considerable for himself, it was explained. "I racamnwnd to the committee," W Wk 1 wg: 9 KEOKUK, IOWA. THURSDAY, MAR, 30,1016 REAR WITH GERMANY IS NEAR Constitution-Democrat KEOKUK NEWSPAPER MERGER On and after April 3, 1916, The Daily date City and Constitution-Democrat will be issued as a consolidated news paper. This arrangement is in line with the action of progres sive publishers in all parts of the country, where excessive and rapidly increasing expenses of production have created a situation which would absolutely compel a material raise in subscription and advertising prices, if papers were continued as separate editions. It is a frank statement of fact iort that such a situation has existed in Keokuk, and tb )otli local newspapers reached a critical point some time af /hen it become absolutely necessary either to ask their bu! tbers and advertising patrons for more money, or to red their expenses in some manner. On page four of this issv 5 to be found a list of 129 papers which have consolidated in the last three years, and as this is only a small percent 8 of the total number, it will be realized that the plan ados here is no innovation. The Keokuk consolidation is mutual and voluntary and! there is positively no question but that it will result in pro nounced benefit to local merchants and the community in general, besides enabling the publishers to solve a very difficult financial problem. It will require some time to perfect all plans for such a union of interests, but they will be completed as rapidly as possible, with the best interests of the city kept constantly in mind. Tho political policy of the consolidated paper will bo non partisan and independent. The political news of all parties will be printed impartially and without bias. The paper will be published every week-day, an edition being issued on Saturday instead of Sunday morning. The subscription rates will remain the same as when the papers Were issued separately, ,10c per week by carrier and $3.00 per year by mail. Subscriptions which have been paid in ad vance will be credited in full. For the combined circulation the advertising rate will be 25c. per inch on contract and 40c per inch without contract, a saving to advertisers of 5 and 10c per inch respectively. The consolidation will give the pub lishers opportunity to print a better newspaper and thus the readers will benefit also. Mr. C. F. Skirvin, present publisher of The Daily Gate City, will act as general manager of the combined properties, and Mr. C. E. Warwick, formerly general manager of the [United Press Leased Wire Service.] LONDON, March 30.—Having gain ed a foothold in Malancourt, the Ger mans are now driving forward furious ly to capture the whole village and gain possession of th© two Important highways Intersecting the town. Tho French position at this point is In extreme peril. From the heights to the north and northeast and the redoubt newly conquered by the Teu tons, German artillery Is pouring a Plan to Increase Our Navy is Explained by Secretary raid Daniels, "that 7,500 enlisted men, 2.500 apprentice seamen, 2,152 ship corps men and 2.000 marines be added to the navy. This would make 14,150 additional men, bringing the total personnel of the navy to 67,952. "The general board. laft July recommended 11,000 additional men. In November the board recommended an increase of 14,000 men. When I made this estimate for 14.152 men last October, I had only the Ju-y recommendation before me. 'T want to advise the committer, the officers of the navy who have tes tified here have given only their per sonal views. Some of them have fig ured on the basis of every ship ip the navy being in constant commis sion. This is not in accordance with the policy of the navy- When a ship goes to the navy yard, they contend. It chould maintain its full quota of men. To this I have two objections first, to have such a large force on the ship with only a few duties to perform, would be highly demoraliz ing second, they should be put on an active vessel so their training iwould not relax. For these reasons art* Citjt Co., will be business manager, they having purchased the entire stock of both companies. This merger has required a heavy investment on the part of the above named, and the hearty support of all citizens is earnestly solicited. With the co-operation of the general public, which is to be expected, it will be possible to produce a publication that will reflect great credit on the city, county aiid section which it represents, and to save money for it^ patrons, while enabling the publishers to place their holdings on a better financial basis. THE DAILY GATE CITY, Bv C. F. Skirvin. THE CONSTITUTEON-DBMOCRAT, Bv C. E. Warwick. |terrific fire upon the French fortified works. The French are replying from the ridge of Dead Man's hill and Hill 304, southeast of Malancourt, where heavy batteries command the Malan court highways. Despite the extent of th» German advance reported yesterday, the Frenoh victory In the Avocourt woods south of Malancourt almost rffseta the •crown prince's successes. VIOLENT BOMBARDMENT. PARIS, March 30^—Under cover of a violent bombardment, the Germans launched a heavy attack against the French front couth of Somme about eighty miles from Paris. The enemy penetrated French advanced line# west of Verrrandovlller, ten miles 'southwest of Peronne, and north of (Continued on page 2.) .the department has adopted the policy of having only forty percent of I the crew on vessel in tho navy yard. "former Secretary Von Meyer left only thirty-three percent of the men Ion ships not in active commission." Daniels lighted figures to show how I difficult it. was to keep up enlisted I strength in the navy. He said five out of every six applicants are re- Jected. The enlistments of 12,875 men. on tho average, expire every year. "We have been very liberal lately in permitting the purchase of dis charges." said Daniels. "In 1913. 15,556 men left the service in 1914, I 13,213. and in 1915 there were 17,157. Many of those men are not entitled to re-enlistment and the average wastage of men is 6,000 a year. Up to three years ago, the percentage of I wastage was fifty-four last year it was seventy-five. To Increase the navy 15.00O men next year we would have to enlist 21,000 new men in ad Idition to the re-enlistment. This 1 would mean examination of approxi mately 14,000 applicant*." It is estimated that hundreds of tons of food and forago alone are re quired daily for soldiers and horses in the field, without recognizing gaso line and food requirements of troops guarding tlio line of communication. Some of those transportation prob lems now regarded as tho most urgent phases of the expedition, has for a time overshadowed the pursuit of Villa, Interest in which has lagged on account of lack of official news. While the United States troops were Inst reported pursuing Villa through tho Santa Maria valley and trying to get south of him via Ma dera, the total absence of news of Oarranza operations aftor tho arch bandit was puzzling. Wires south of Juarez aro all working. A campaign against the Reyistas in the Torreon district is the only reported activity among tho Oarranza forces. Object Lesson In Unpreparedness. I el, $T PASO, Texas, March 30.— "Humiliating" proof of unprepared nesfl for the Mexioan expedition was laid at the door of congress today by I a prominent army officer in El Paso. Owing to tho censorship ho declined to permit tho use of his name. "Wo lacked aeroplanes, wlrolees land automobile equipment which even this little flurry has shown to be essential." ho said. "In the face of these facts. It is Idle talk of tho United States making a successful defense of any or its borders against !a strong enemy. Tne army might die bravolv I think it would—but it would "bo broken to pieces boforo (lid could come. I •The fault, isn't the army's. but that of congress. I? it teaches the people that a strong army, prepared and equipped, is necessary. It will not have boon ill vain 110 Ah matter how humiliating the disclosures have been. "After the expedition has been ft.iis under way, we are frantically trving to buy enough equipment to feci and water our forces in the fii'M. for armored uutomobiles and trucks, all wo know about thorn what we have read. Our wireless ecjuipment has been ineffective under conditions that, imposed no unusual ntrain. Our aeroplane squad wa= de fn i'nt in experience and much of the idiipmenf would have been useless under real war conditions. "In many eases tho little equip ment. we had was faulty, not. up to (i rand slow moving. Thi3 expedi tion is only an excursion to punish Fan is Out of Commission and Shaft is Thought to bo on Fire. Jl'nited T*ress Leased Wire ServiceJ .TOHN'STOWN". Pa.. March 30.—Ten or twelve men are entombed in the "Rc-bindale mine of the fonnemaugh Smokeless Coal i^o at Soward, ten miles west of Johnstown, following an explosion at 8:20 this morning. The THE WEATHER Unsettled. Cooler. Local temp —7 p. m. 47 7 a. m. 41. Railways Can be Used to Send Supplies to American Punitive Expedition on Trail of the Bandit. "IR" NEWS IS EFFECTIVELY CENSORED Villa is Reported to Have Split Up His Gang Into Three Parts and Remains With But Handful. ["United Press Leased Wire Service.] KL PASO, Texas, March 80.—Sev eral carloads of supplies for Briga dier General Pershing's troops in Mexico were ready today for shlp ment over the Mexican Northwestern railway, from Juarea to the Casaa Grandes base. Army officers, how ever, admitted their disappointment over the outcome of negotiations with the Oarranza government regarding the use of Mexican railways to sup ply tho expeditionary forces. Ameri can military guards will not be per mitted to accompany the munitions. The uncertainty of this source of supplies due to tho poor condition of tho lino makes necessary continuation of the slow motor route over the desert. EIGHT PAGES a "bandit *nd so far the ©oontry trrr» ersed has been friendly. Th# evi dent pitiable insufficiency of the army to move even a small force Into a strong hostile country shows oar lack of preparedness and our need of It.** Soldiers Enjoy Themselves, [By H. D. Jacobs, United Press Staff Correspondent.] HT3ADQTI ART HRS AMERICAN HOC FRUITION NHAR DC3LAN, (Via courier to Columbns, N. Ml.) "March 30.—''Cabarets" and robblt drives and the "high cost of living" serve to break the monotony of camp life here. A lieutenant commanding a troop ot colored soldiers, put on a "cavalry cabaret" the other night. "With the •newspaper correspondents as hi a guests, he served coffee and hard tack in Ids tent while a plcOwd quartet from the colored cavalry regiment sat outside and entertained with songs. A good part of the camp enjoyed the music. The offerings ranged Crom old plantation melodies to the latest metropolitan "lilts." "A pleasant time was had by alL" An entire regiment of infantry of ficers and men. engaged tn one of the rabbit drives. Armed with long sticks and aided by a lone dog, the men form ed a crescent shaped cordon and beat tho tall grass in a gradually narrow ing circle. Sixteen Jack rabbits and eight cottrm tails were clubbed to neath. Produce In this part of Mtoxlco 1® enloying a remarkable "bull" move ment. The advent of American sol diers with plenty of real money «nd healthv appetites has proven a bon anza for the Mormons and Mexicans In the vicinity. As the soldiers and correspondents 'are supplied mostly with hills of large I conomliintlons, special motor trucks may bo needed to carry the small :eh?»ni received from the produce venders. Tho old Diaz silver coin is worth fifty cents on th American. dollar, but Corranza currency only layout six cents. I A couple of Oh'nam •f. 'M •j en have estab lished a laundry in camp and are get tlner rich. I The company barber charges fifty cents for a hair cut and twenty^flve cents for a «have. As alkali water is 'anything hut soothing to sensitive I skins, whiskers are becoming the fasnlon. Rg(?s, normally worth ten cents a dozen, are now fifty cents. Chickens sell at thlrtv cents a pound where be fore there was hardly any market for them. Stove wood for tho chill Mex I lean evenings brings $1 a load. if'andleB are two fe-r twenty-five cents. nd pork have been boosted cm® hundred per cent. Perty Is Divided. SAN AjVTON'IO. Texas, March 30.— Unofficial reports received at. army 'headquarters t.oir.y, declare that "Villa has reached the Guerrero mountains 'and thn' "•!"n"! Dodd's advanced car I airy has crossed thn railroad which sw?n?s southwest from Chihuahua (Continued on page 2.) EXPLOSION IN COAL MINE HAS ENTOMBED TEN MEN explos'on put the fan out of commis sion and the mine is believed to b« afi re. The company's electrician is tnsida tiio mine and an electrician has boea sent, from Johnstown to repair the fan. Until It is in operation, the i-A/tciing parties that have been or ganized cannot enter the working. Several automobiles carrying offi cials of the company and a first aid crew from the Cambria Steel company have left for the scene. It is feared the entombed men will be Buffoc&ted before the rescuing pur tles can reach, them. 1