Evening star. [volume], February 22, 1915, Page 2, Image 2

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

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of Germans In East Prussia was revealed
tj us on February 4, but the
magnitude of the concentration was
not determined until several days later.
Lack of Railroads Felt.
"Not being able through lack of railroad
facilities to concentrate on our
East Prussian front with the necessary
forces indispensable to ward ofT this
drive of the enemy, our chiefs decided
to withdraw the above mentioned army
from East Prussia toward the frontier
and further retirement toward the
Niemen and the Kobr has followed.
"In these movements the right wing
of the tenth army, pressed by great
numbers of the enemy and threatened
with being surrounded on the right
flank, was compelled to make a very
swift turning movement in the direction
of Kovno.
"This maneuver exposed the flank of
the corps following, which, owing to
this fact, found itself in tin extremely
dangerous position, and only broken
and disorganized portions succeeded
in escaping from this district.
Repulsed Attacking- Enemy.
"Other corps of the tenth army, fighting
continuously and stubbornly, slowly
retreated in the direction marked
out for them by their commanders.
On taking up these positions the Russian
troops bravely repulsed the attacking
enemy, inflicting upon him severe
losses, and overcoming incredible
difficulties caused by the deep snow
which covered all the roads. The
roads being impassable, automobiles
were not able to run and trains were
delayed, frequently not reaching their
destination.
"Retreating slowly step by step, one
corps, forming the left wing of the
10th Army, held the enemy for nine
days on lines which ordinarily are
traversed in four days.
"February 19 these corps fell back
through Augustowo. retired from the
battle at Sphoc. and assumed the fortified
positions indicated for them.
"At the present moment actions on
the German front continue before Ossowetz,
upon the roads from Lomza
to Edvabno, and north of Kadizidlv, on
the road between Plotsk and Plonsk.
In some places the fighting is very
stubborn.
"On the right of the Vistula on the
roads from Plotsk Austrian detachments
have been relieved by German j
troops."
pursuit or zne Russians.
BERLIN, by wireless, February 22.?
According to information here, the pursuit
of the Russian tenth army, which
was driven out of East Prussia is
being kept up vigorously and the Russians
are unable to offer serious resistance
anywhere. There seems to be
ground for the belief that a vigorous
offensive is to be maintained for a
time in the east, even at the cost of
refraining from any active offensive
movements on the western front.
The Austrians are vigorously pushing
their campaign in Galicia and
Bukowina, notwithstanding the unfavorable
weather conditions.
Tt is reported from Constantinople
that the French troops which landed
at Antivari. Montenegro, to assist the
Montenegrin army, consisted of only a
single battalion. The Russian cruiser
Askold landed eight officers of the
French general staff at Antivari. They
proceeded immediately to Cettinje.
Struggle in Carpathians.
VENICE, via London, February 22.?
The Hungarian newspapers contain vivid
accounts of the struggle In the Carpathians.
where a gigantic battle has been
in progress for fifty days along the whole
line of mountains, some three hundred
miles in length.
No true picture can be painted of the
general situation, since it changes from
day to day and from night to night. In
the first of the engagements the troops
were moved with machinelike formation,
but now individual heroism finds freer
play.
Vicious attacks are made to gain
heights or sheltered positions. These
attacks are repelled with reckless
abandon. Sometimes a position will be
gained and lost again three times within
twenty-four hours. There is one
height on the front which has been
stormed 100 times, and even now
neither side can claim t?o hold it. No
sooner is it won and the victors installed
on it than the vanquished
gather new forces and storm it again.
Meantime the Rusinsa are gathering
immense additional forces in the center
of the Carpathians.
exhibits foe photo contest.
Exposition and Competition Opens in
New York March 27.
NEW YORK. February 22.?Exhibits
from camera clubs, photographic associations
and individual protographers
are being received here for competition
at the >-annual international
exposition of photographic arts and industries.
from March 27 to April 3.
This will be the first opportunity for a
national display of representative photographers
covering the entire scope
of the art.
The jury of awards announces that
the exhibition will be divided into the
following classes: Professional portraits,
amateur prints of every description,
commercial prints and examples
of scientific photography.
RESUME JAPAN-CHINA PARLEY.
Two Diplomats to Renew Today Discussion
of Demands of Tokio.
PEKING. February 22.?The conferences
between Kki Hioki. the Japanese
minister, and L.u Cheng Hsiang, the
Chinese foreign minister, on the Japanese
demands upon China will be resumed
today. Japan, it is said, still
insists on the acceptance o? all of her
demands.while China, it is declared,
will consent to the discussion of only
twelve of them.
The English and Chinese newspapers
are reprinting statements from the Jiji
Shimpo and other Japanese newspapers
to the effect that China will deflve no
advantage by delaying her acceptance
of the Japanese demands until the
forthcoming Japanese election, it being
oDcrieu mat win me Japanese par'ies
lave similar policies with regard to
? 'hina.
$51,000 Fire at Philadelphia. Miss.
PHILADELPHIA, Miss.. February 22.
?Fare originating in a store on the
around floor of the Masonic Temple
here yesterday destroyed business
propertj valued at $31.00** The fotal
insurance amounts to $24,000.
I VICHY
Owned by and bottled under the direct
control of the French Government
Natural Alkaline
Water ||
Used at meals MM
prevents Dys- MgjL V
pepsia and re- '
lieves Gout, In- jflHjA
digestion and
Uric Acid. ^SSS^
JKW
Atk your Physician
Note the Name
aaEHEB^K
4
SINKING OF EVELYN
HELDANACCIDENT
Government Officials Agree No
International Complications
Likely to Ensue.
HOLD SHIP ENTERED MINED
WATERS AT HER OWN RISK
11 t
Assumed Effort Will Be Made to Establish
Responsibility and Collect
Damages.
The sinking of the American merchant
vessel Evelyn in German waters,
although regarded with seriousness at
the Capitol today, was considered a
matter outside of those which the
United States has protested to Germany
and Great Britain. Senators said
today that an exhaustive investigation
was necessary, but that they did not
believe, on the facts now at hand, that
it would lead this country into serious
complications with any of the warring
powers.
Government officials are practically
unanimous in conceding that if the
cause of the accident is proved to be a
mine there probably will be no grounds
for diplomatic action by the United
States, as the laying of mines is not
prohibited by any international convention
now in force.
"I see no serious international complications
involved in the destruction
of the Evelyn," said Senator Stone,
chairman of the foreign relations committee,
when he arrived at the Capitol
today. "An American merchant vessel
ventured into German waters when it
was known that mines had been laid
in muse general waicis, oau ??ao ouan,
presumably by a mine.
"No one knows whose mine it was. It
is probable that a claim for damages will
be made, and possibly it will be made a
national claim, owing to the fact that
American commerce has been disturbed.
The sinking of the Evelyn by a mine is
far different from an American vessel
being tired upon."
Senator Shively's Comment.
| Senator Shively of Indiana, the rankI
ing member of the foreign relations committee
after Senator Stone, said:
"It was not a very pretty business, and
I believe it is a matter for vdry serious
consideration."
Senator Simmons, one of the framers
of the bill which created the war risk
bill, a White House caller today, said
he assumed an effort would be made
first to establish the responsibility for
the sinking of the Evelyn, and that if
the nationality of the mine could be discovered
the government war risk bureau
would make efforts to collect damages.
"The war risk bureau has all the powers
of a private insurance company,"
said Senator Simmons. "When the government
goes into a business of this kind
it loses its official status, but simply because
this is a government agency it does
not have less right than a private agency
of the same kind would have."
No Occasion for War Talk.
Representative Oldfleld of Arkansas,
versed in international law and prominent
in the leadership councils of the democrats
of the House, voiced the expressions
of several conservative colleagues when
he said :
"The incident should certainly not
be constructed as warranting war talk.
It affords no justification for such discussion.
"We must remember that there are
too many who would be gratified to
see the United States seize even the
slightest occasion to be drawn into
hostilities."
"The more neutral ships sunk in the
war zone," said Representative Albert
[ Johnson of Washington, "the quicker
tnis war win ena. a person wno aej
plores this frightful wholesale destrucI
tion of lives and property on the other
| side would almost be glad to see any
means adopted to bring pressure on
the belligerents to stop the hostilities.
When I think of the consequences and
the slaughter and the millions' of people
who are going to be starved and
broken I could almost hope that more
ships should be sunk in the war zone,
because I believe that would be the
quickest way to bring before the world
the realization that the world must
stop this thing.
"The lives of the crews are sacrificed,
a deplorable thing, but the lives of
millions of combatants and non-combatants
alike are going to be sacrificed
unless some one stops the war."
Accident, Pure and Simple.
Representative Flood of Virginia,
chairman of the House committee on
appropriations, said:
"The sinking of the Evelyn is nothing
for the country to get excited over.
The steamer was aware of the mines in
that quarter and took its own chance.
"It was an accident pure and simple.
Shippers knfcw those waters are mined, j
and if a vessel is deliberately sent
there the owners must take consequences."
Similar expression of opinion came
from Representative Esch of Wisconsin:
"As the German proclamation said,
'A mine cannot distinguish between
neutral and hostile vessels.* If the
Evelyn, was torpedoed it might become
a grave matter between this country
and the country whose ship fired the
missile, but all accounts agree that the
Evelyn was sunk by a mine. It appears
to me on the facts as I read them
that the Evelyn took the risks of war
and should not involve this country."
"If the Evelyn struck a mine it is the
vessel's own fault," said Representative
Page of North Carolina, "and it would
appear that it was a mine and not a
torpedo that did the work. I do not
nee how this matter, regrettable as it
is, can Involve the United States. The i
steamer knew the waters were danger- '
ous, and took its own risk."
No Cause for Excitement.
Representative Adamson, chairman of |
the House committee on interstate and!
foreign commerce, said:
"The Evelyn case Involves nothing
that should cause any public excitement
In this country. We all have confidence
in the conservatism of the
President."
Representative Vollmer of Iowa said:
"The whole situation is fraught with I
danger. It cannot be charged that
Germany, which wanted cotton, was
responsible for the deliberate destruction
of the Evelyn, loaded with that j
commodity."
Representative Foster of Illinois said: '
"The Evelyn's sinking was an unavoidable
accident; the American public
should reserve judgment until all facts
are known."
Representative Henry of Texas expressed
an idea that is growing in favor
in the House: He said: "I have
been wondering if it would not be a
good idea to keep our ships away from
that part of the world."
NORWEGIAN STEAMER
IS SUNK IN COLLISION
LONDON, February 22, 2:45 p.m.?
The Norwegian freight 'steamer Cuba,
bound from London to Rotterdam, was
sunk today in a collision in the North
sea. So far as is known no lives were
lost.
The Cuba carried an official mail bag
of the American commission for the
relief of Belgium.
A
ENGLAND'S LARGE Fl
I I
GIVES NEW FACTS
ABOUT WASHINGTON
District Commissioner Brownlow
Addresses Association of
Oldest Inhabitants.
SAYS THIS RnVFRNMFNT
IS OLDEST IN EXISTENCE
Annual Observance of Washington's
Birthday Is Held With Patriotic
Exercises.
Some new facts about Washington
were presented by District Commissioner
Louis Brownlow to members of
the Association of Oldest Inhabitants
of the District of Columbia at the assoclatoion's
annual observance today
of George Washington's birthday.
One of the points brought out by the
Commissioner is that the Capitol building
is the oldest structure in the world
used by any nation for parliamentary
purposes.
Not only this, but the American government,
the speaker pointed out, is the
oldest form of government in existence today.
The District official credited the
wisdom and foresight of George Washington
with the fact that it has not
been necessary to change the Constitution
or alter in any way the fundamental
principles upon which this
government was established.
Commissioner Brownlow, early in his
address, disclosed the fact that he is
thoroughly posted on Washington, its
history and traditions, as well as conditions
now obtaining here. He spoke
briefly of the purposes of the present
District administration and devoted the
major portion of his remarks to the
life of Washington and its influence
upon the development of American civilization.
The association met at its headquarters,
in the old Union engine house,
19th and H streets northwest, with
President Theodore W. Noyes presiding.
Patriotic Exercises Held.
Following a business session, patriotic
exercises were conducted. In addition to
the Commissioner's address the exercises
included the reading of Washington's
I are wen address oy uouis jr. onuciuitnci
and the singing of "America" and "Auld
I^ang: Syne" by the audience.
Later a buffet luncheon, prepared under
direction of a committee consisting
of Andrew H. Hasan, Washington Topham
and Dr. B. W. Summy, was served.
Applications for membership were j
received from George Spransy, George j
Truesdell, Robert Armour, James B.:
Lambie and James Bright. A copy of i
The Evening Star of the date of Febru- j
ary 21, 1885, containing an account of J
the completion of the Washington j
Monument, was presented to the as-1
sociation by William W. Maloney.
Tribute to Late W. H. Singleton.
The association opened its business
session with the adoption of resolutions
of sympathy over the death of the
late William H. Singleton, former vice
| president of the association. The resolutions
were presented by a committee
consisting of Henry L. Bryan, Judge
I Charles S. Bundy and Benjamin W.
Reiss. The resolutions declare:
| "The realization of the profound
loss to the Association of the Oldest
Inhabitants of the District of Columbia
in the death of William H. Singleton,
one of its vice presidents,
makes it most fitting that the high appreciation
of his valuable services in
the advancement of its welfare, as well |
as that of the community to which he
so preeminently gave proof of h}s unswerving
devotion, should be given due
expression in the permanent records of
the association.
A Devoted Son of Washington.
"From boyhood through a long period
of gentlemanhood. William H. Singleton
was a devoted son of Washington.
As a pupil in the public schools his attention
to study and his equipment of
mental qualifications secured for him
the high honor of gaining the Kendall
scholarship at Columbian College in
competition with the boys of the whole
District, and in that institution he was
- 1 ?** 1" ho rank r?f < t a
students.
"After leaving college, In the busy
pursuit of his profession as a member
of the bar, he ever kept In mind the
welfare of his beloved District, and, as
a sturdy champion of civic betterment,
was In the forefront of every movement
for its advancement. Gifted with
a clear and logical mind, possessed of
the happy faculty of ready speech, apt
at crystallising the basic principle on
which his reasoning rested, and Imbued
with a sturdy insistence upon the
acknowledgment of the rights due to
the community, he became an active
member in numerous organisations
formed to promote the welfare of the
District, all at which have united In
terms of highest encomiums of his
worth, and have given heartfelt expressions
of their sorrow at his loss, j
Natural Leader In CItIc Efforts.
"As a member of this association, the
value of his services, his devotion to Its
purposes, his fund of information as to
the history of the District, the readiness
to aid with his counsel and wide
clvlo experience every effort undertaken
for the advancement of the organization,
made him a natural leader, and he was
,EET OF SUBMARINES
In due time unanimously elected one of
its vice presidents.
"Whenever he was called upon to preside
at the meetings his knowledge of
parliamentary procedure, coupled with
his unfailing genial courtesy and ever
ready quick-witted common sense, unloosed
whatever tangles may have occurred
In the deliberations and smoothed
them to a satisfactory conclusion.
"That no longer he will be a guide,
counselor and friend awakens in all
his former associates a sense of deep
sorrow, with a feeling of sincere sympathy
for his loving and faithful life's,
companion. Therefore
Life a Shining Example.
"Dn <* K., V, ? A .r.ns.lntl.-vv. rxf
n icouitcu uj ll'C Aooubionvii v*
the Oldest Inhabitants of the District
of Columbia, That it Is with sentiments
of profoundest regret the association
has learned of the death on the fifth
day of January. 1915, of William H.
Singleton, an honored vice president
and one of its best loved members,
whose life was a shining example of
the best qualities of worthy citizenship,
and whose memory will ever be
treasured as a precious possession.
"Resolved, That the association tenders
to his widow and family its heartfelt
sympathy for the great sorrow
that has befallen them.
"Resolved, That these resolutions be
entered on the minutes of the association
and an engrossed copy be forwarded
to Mrs. Singleton."
Testify to Personal Loss.
President Noyes, Mr. Bryan, Judge
Bundy and others spoke of the personal
losses which they had sustained in Mr.
Singleton's death and of the valuable
services which he had rendered not
only to the association, but many other
Washington organizations.
Upon motion of Dr. B. W. Summy, it
was voted not to fill the vacancy
caused by Mr. Singleton's death during
the present year.
Names of former members of the association
who have died since its last
meeting were read by Secretary Reiss
as follows: "Victor Beyer, John F. Green,
John A. Joyce, Dr. Daniel McFarlan,
Samuel Pusey, William H. Singleton and
Harry L. Strang.
A feature of the business session was
the presentation of a framed set of
resolutions adopted by Typographical
Union No. 101 reciprocating expressions
of good will adopted by the association
upon the occasion of the celebration
by Typographical Union of its
hurdredth birthday.
The resolutions were presented by
President Smith of the union.
The following new members were
elected: Aurestus S. Perham, Daniel
O'Connell Callaghan and William F.
Brooks.
JIM CROW BILL SET ASIDE
House Votes 179 to 99 to Take Up
the Fortifications Measure
Instead.
By a vote of 179 to 99, the House
again today refused to take up the
Clark "Jim Crow" bill, which probably
disposes of the matter for this Congress.
There will be no more District
days in the House until next session.
Members of the House had been circularized
by letters signed by Representative
Clark of Florida, Gregg of
Texas, Caraway of Arkansas, Byrnes of
South Carolina and others urging a
full attendance in the House today to i
cast a vote against going into committee
of the whole to take up the fortifications
bill.
The letter stated that this day is District
day and that the only matter to
be presented would be the "Jim Crow"
bill. The letter was sent out to give
members a full understanding of the
case.
As soon as Chairman Sherley, in
charge of the fortifications bill, moved
to go into committee of the whole to
take up his bill. Chairman Johnson of
the District committee called for a
roll call vote, which resulted in taking
up the appropriation bill and setting
aside Distr.ct day.
bill still in conference.
Board of Education Under Commissioners
Is Amendment Agreed On.
The conferees on the District appropriation
bill are scheduled to meet again
at 2 o'clock this afternoon. An effort
will be made to arrive at a report on
the bill today.
One amendment which, it is said, the
conferees will agree to is to place the
board of education under the District
Commissioners, taking the appointing
power to this board from the District
Supreme Court and placing it in the
hands of the Commissioners.
Neither house placed this provision in
the bill, and if objection were made the
action of the conferees might be thrown
out when the report is made.
CONFEREES IN COMPROMISE.
Reach Agreement on Bill to Ameliorate
Conditions of Seamen.
After many weeks of deliberation the
conference committee on the bill to
ameliorate conditions of seamen reported
an agreement today. Condi
tlons to be imposed on lake, coastal
and transoceanic steamers as to lifesaving
equipment, which had been one
of the main points of contention for
months, were compromised by the conConditions
for amelioration of the
seamen remain practically unchanged
from the original bill, the principal reform
giving American seamen the
right to quit vessels in foreign ports
I and foreign seamen that right in
j American ports without being subject
1 to arrest.
1
AT ANCHOR IN THE H.
War Official
RUSSIAN STATEMENT.
PETROGRAD, February 22:
During the past two days we have
raptured about 1,000 prisoners.
In Galicia February 19 and 20, after an
extremely vigorous preparatory bombardment,
the enemy made an offensive
movement north of Zakliczyn,
but was repulsed after three attacks.
The fighting between Mesolaborcz
and the Upper San river continues,
consisting of alternate offensive and
defensive actions.
Fresh attacks by the Germans upon the
heights of Mvto Koziourka and in
the region of Neurozanka all have
been repelled. After a desperate
struggle our troops captured heights
southeast of Dukla and northwest of
Senetchouw.
In South Galicia the enemy has occupied
Stanislau.
During the day just passed there have
been collisions between the Russian
and Turkish troops in the transtchoruk
country.
GERMAN STATEMENT.
BERLIN, February 22, via London, 3:40
p.m.:
In the western theater: Another hostile
trench was taken by us yesterday to
the east of Ypres (in Belgium). The
enemy's counter attacks on the captured
positions remained unsuccessful.
In the Champagne district there was
comparative quiet yesterday. The
number of prisoners taken by us during
the last battles in this region has
been increased to fifteen officers and
more than 1.000 men. The sanguinary
losses of the enemy have been
extraordinarily high.
The enemy made an unsuccessful attack
on o"ur positions to the east of
Verdun during the night.
In the Vosges the villages of Hochrad
and Stossweier were taken bv us
after a short engagement. Otherwise
nothing of importance occurred.
In the eastern theater: The pursuit
after the winter battle in the Mazurian
district has come to an end.
During the clearing up of operations
to the northwest of Grodno and in
the battles reported during the last'
few days in the Bobr and Navew disSAYS
ENGLISH PRIS
CHARGES OF <
BERLIN, February 22, by wireless to
Sayville, N. Y.?An official inquiry has
been made by a German judge into
charges published in England that the
British prisoners of war at the camp
at Minden had been treated cruelly, ,
says a statement made today by the i
Overseas News Agency.
"Declarations obtained from the physicians
and the cross-examination of
prisoners proved the absolute untruth
GAINS BY THE ALU
GRIP OF GER1
LONDON, February 22.?A British
military observer stationed with the
French army In the field describes the
advantages Rained in the last few
months by the French forces In a
statement Riven out by the official information
bureau, as follows:
"Kince the repulse of the Germans by
the allied forces in Flanders no battle
of great importance has been fought.
If the gain in the smaller engagements
which have taken place is measured
only by the amount of ground won, the
results are ineded small. A few hundred
yards to the north of Arras, a village
or two between Arras and the
corner of the line nearest Paris, a belt
varying from a mile and half to two
GERMAN AND AUS1
SCHEDULED F
GENEVA, via Paris, February 22.?
It is reported here that Emperor Wil- |
liam of Germany and Emperor Francis
Joseph of Austria-Hungary, with their |
staffs, soon will hold a conference at j
some town near the frontier between I
the two countries. The rulers have not I
met since the war began.
VIENNA, via London, February 22.?
"" I>roL'OQ attva that Rarnn !
1 lie 111CUO i * .VWWW W ? .,w - ? |
Burlan, the Austro-Hungarian minister
of foreign affairs, and Dr. von
Bethmann Hollweg, the German imperial
chancellor, met Sunday morning
at the Austrian headquarters and conferred
for several hours. Afterward Dr.
von Bethmann-Hollweg visited the
chief Austrian commander. Archduke
Frederick, Archduke Charles also
GUNBOAT BOMBARDS TOWN.
Progreso, on Sonthern East Coast
of Mexico, Under Fire.
EL PASO, Tex., February 22.?Gen.
Villa's secretary, in a telegram from
Guadalajara, reported today a bombardment
of Progreso, on the southern east
coast of Mexico,, by the gunboat Michor
Ocampo. Carrartza troops held the town,
which was defended successfully.
Gen. Buelna, operating in Sinaloa state.
has reported to uen. vma in? capture
of the important town of Rosario.
Rumors from the Villa base above
Mexico City persist that the Carranza
troops have evacuated the national capital.
Villa's location was not stated in the
official reports.
ARBOR OF GOSPORT.
EJK * >
/Kgjm-*' ,' <,' <>*" y- I
:. T~^_. ..' >. J*. .? I
il
ly Reported
trlcts one commanding general and
four other generals and approximately
40,000 men have been taken prisoners
up to the present. Seventytive
cannon and some machine guns,
the actual number of which has not
yet been ascertained, and much other
war material have been captured.
The total booty taken in the winter
battle in the Mazurian district as a
result of these additions has been increased
to date to seven generals,
more th^n 100,000 men, upwards of
150 cannon and quantities of other
material of all descriptions, the
amount of which cannot yet be approartmately
estimated.
Cannon of a heavy caliber and ammunition
frequently are burled by the
enemy or sunk In the lakes near
Ix>etzen and in the Widimer seaEight
cannon of heavy caliber were
dug up or pulled out of the water
yesterday.
The 10th Russian Army, under Gen.
Baron Sievers is considered as havinsr
been destroyed.
New battles appear to be developing at
Grodno and to the north of Seichawolas.
It is reported that the battles
to the northwest of Ossowetz
and Lomza, as well as those at Przasnvsz,
are taking their regular course.
There is no news from Poland to the
south of the Vistula river.
AUSTRIAN STATEMENT.
VIENNA, via London, February 22s
The situation in Poland and West Galicia
generally is unchanged. Yesterday
(Saturday) it was calmer.
In the battles on the Carpathian front,
from Dukla pass to Wyszkow, several
Russian attacks again were repulsed.
with heavy losses to the enemy,
who lost 750 men taken prisoners.
The operations south of the Dniester
river are progressing. In Bukowina
all is calm.
FRENCH STATEMENT.
PARIS, da London, 3:55 p.m., February
22:
There is nothing important to add to
the official communication issued last
night.
Between the Argonne and the Meuse,
at the outskirts of the wood of Cheppy,
we carried one of the enemy's
trenches and extended our positions.
'ONERS SCOFF
CRUEL TREATMENT
of these charges," the statement says.
, "It expressly states that when some of
the allegations of cruelty published in
England were read to the prisoners all
the Englishmen broke out into laughter."
The Overseas Agency also states that
the Russian government has ordered
the dissolution of a prominent Russian
economic society because its members
"freely discussed the desperate situation
of the Russian gold market."
!ES MEAGER;
MANS NOT SHAKEN
.hundred yards in breadth to the east
of Rheims and a few miles of what was
acres are all that have been gained.
The enemy's hold on Belgium and
northeastern France is as strong as
ever."
The British observer nevertheless
contends that the success of the French
army has been very great and that its
work is deserving of the gratitude and
admiration of the allied powers. It has
kept the German army so busily enI
gaged, he says, compelling it frequently
to fight under unfavorable circumstances,
that the Germans have
been unable to withdraw troops for a
decisive blow elsewhere.
While performing this work, the observer
says, the French army has
steadily improved in personnel and
equipment.
rRIAN RULERS
OR A CONFERENCE
being present.
In the afternoon Archduke Charles
gave a luncheon to both the statesmen.
Chief of general staff Field Marshal
Baron von Hoetzendorf was also
a guest of the Archduke. Baron Burian
and Dr. Bethmann-Hollweg held their
third conference, which was a long
one, at Baron Burlan's house Sunday '
evening. At its conclusion Baron Burian
accompanied his guest to the railway
station.
BERLIN, via London, February 22.? .
Chancellor von Bethmann-Hollweg's
forthcoming visit to the Austrian
headquarters will be for the purpose i
of discussing personally with high officials
of the dual monarchy the most
important question pending between 1
the triple alliance, powers according '
to a Berlin dispatch to the Frankfurter ?
I Zeitung.
1
? i
PRESIDENT AT HIS DESK.
Acted on Few Matters, Then Saw i
Senator Hollis.
President Wilson and White House
officials did considerable work today, '
but as far as possible the day was observed
as a holiday by the White
House. The President did not go to
the executive offices until after noon, ;
when he considered and acted upon a i
number of papers before him and spent
a few minutes with Senator Hollis of 1
New Hampshire on a patronage mat- ,
ter. In the afternoon the President i
will go for a ride. j
J
EVELYN DISASTER 1
IS TO BE PROBED j
BYNAVALAHACHE j
r
, J /.nm run r-iir> v
i uniinuru iiviu * ??m ^
I
asmuch as there is now no interna- c
tional conventtion in force prohibiting
the laying of mines either for offen- ?
wive or defensive purposes. In the r
Russo - Japanese war the Japanese *
strewed mines across the harbor and c
Entrance to Fort Arthur, which was
held by the Russians.
Similarly the Japanese laid mines in ?
Hadivostok waters across Peter the *
L?reat bay for a distance of forty miles. T
While the laying of mines in offensive r
operations, such as the recent German J
note proclaimed, has not been acquiesced '
In as a belligerent right, it is believed s
In official quarters that this and other f
precedents would make it difficult for J
the United States to make further dip- 1
lomatic protest.
The Evelyn is the first ship insured
with the United States bureau of war
risk insurance to be lost since it be- .
gan operations several months ago.
Insurance on ships and cargoes amounting
to more than $55,000,000 has been ]
written. ,
First Loss of U. S. Insurance Bureau.
:
The bureau was closed today, and no
word had been received as to when a 1
slaim from the owners may be expect- *
ed. There is little doubt that legal !
proof of the destruction of the ship
and cargo will result in prompt pay- ]
ment of the insurance. Of the total
amount of insurance written by the ]
bureau more than half has expired with
the arrival of ships and cargoes at
destinations.
The bureau has earned in premiums
more than $600,000, so that it is able to
stand its first loss without resort to
the appropriation made by Congress
Consul Fee's Announcement.
Although the extent of sea zones of
war proclaimed by Germany was never ,
defined exactly, the Borkum Islands, ,
where Counsel Fee reported the Evelyn <
was "blown up," are considered far distant
from the danger areas of subma
rlnes, although the waters of the vicinity j
are filled with mines for defensive pur- (
poses through which Germany has al- ,
ways piloted incoming ships. At the
Germany embassy It was pointed out
that the accident must have been caused
by a mine, as Germany, sorely in need
of cotton, would have no object in torpedoing
a vessel laden with such a cargo
for German consumption.
Press dispatches from Berlin announcing
the loss of the vessel by a
mine caused somewhat of a sensation
in this capital, where the tension has
been more or less pronounced over the
situation in the war zones since the
dispatch of warning notes by the
United States to both Great Britain
and Germany.
American Consul Fee's cablegram,
forwarded from Bremen through the
American consul general at Rotterdam.
Holland, gave the State Department
meager information. It said:
"Steamer Evelyn. Capt. Smith, agents
Bull & Company, New York, blown up
early Friday at Borkum. Crew saved.
Ship and cargo lost."
It was generally taken for granted
before the message arrived that the
vessel was blown up by a mine, but
the omission of any mention of cause
introduced an element of speculation, ,
significant of the solicitude which is
felt on every side since the diplomatic
correspondence arose with the belligerents
over the misuse of neutral flags
and submarine warfare.
It had been practically decided by the
Washington government to make no
reply to either the British or the German
note concerning the use of neutral
ensigns or possible attacks by submarines
on neutral vessels in the new
sea zones of war.
Added significance was attached generally
to this policy, because of the
implication that the strong warning '
sent to both Great Britain and Ger- ;
many might now be followed by a crisis
in the relations of this government
with the belligerents if through their
practices American vessels or lives
were lost.
United States Made No Protest.
While mines have been laid in belligerent
waters since the early days of
the war, American vessels heretofore have
not suffered any injury. Many other
neutral craft have been destroyed, but
the practical Impossibility of fixing the
blame for accidents of that kind has prevented
the interested governments from
taking diplomatic action. When the
North sea was first mined, some of the
neutral countries protested to both Germany
and Great Britain, but the United
States took the position that it was impossible
to determine which country had
been the aggressor, and therefore made no
protest, though it does not consider its
rights in any way compromised by this
silence.
Diplomatically the United States and 1
neutrals generally are helpless as far ;
as obtaining redress for the loss of
their ships by contact mines is con- :
cerned, unless absolute proof, a rare
occurrence, could be adduced to show ;
the nationality of the mines, that no !
nilot was available or that the mines. .
drifting: from their anchorage, were ;
far distant from belligerent areas.
Prohibition of Mine Laying.
Efforts have been made from time to
time to obtain an agreement among
the nations of the world to prohibit
the laying of mines. England took the
lead in this connection at the second
Hague conference in 1907. and a convention
finally was drafted and ratified
by the United States and Great
Britain and only a few of the other
nations, though it never became effective.
Under its terms, it was forbidden to ,
lay unanchored automatic contact
mines "except when so constructed as
to become harmless one hour at most
after the person who laid them ceases
to control them." Similarly it was forbidden
to lay anchored mines which do
not become harmless when breaking
loose from their moorings. The con- <
vention also provided:
"It is forbidden to lay automatic con- '
tact mines off the coast and ports of an
enemy, with the sole object of inter- !
cepting commercial shipping.
"When anchored automatic contact
mines are employed every poss.ble precaution
must be taken for the security j
of peaceful shipping."
Opposition to Agreement.
These articles were never approved
because of objections to their weak i
phraseology. Germany, at the time,
pointed out that "the belligerent has I
only to assert a different object in '<
order to make It Illusory."
Germany's opposition was backed by \
France and Russia, although England "
favored a proposal to prohibit outright .
the use of contact mines for closing 1
against commerce ports that were not *
being attacked from the sea.
International law authorities pointed '
out at the time that naval commanders 1
under the suggested convention could j
easily think of some other reason for
laying a cordon of mines off an enemy's ?
port than that intercepting commercial J
shipping. One eminent English au- (
thority, Prof. Lawrence, whp was dis- (
appointed at the failure of The Hague
convention to provide for regulations
against the use of mines, wrote '
prophetically then: '
"Whereas in the past the only way of
closing an enemy's port against all
neutral commerce was to blockade it,
and the only way to blockade it was to
itatinn A Ithh) OT ShlDS In SUCh A nOKf- f
tion as to create evident danger to all s
vessels attempting ingress or egress
for the future, it will suffice. In the g
judgment of many powers, to lay a r
cordon of anchored contact mines j
across the approaches. Neutrals must t
Indeed have lost all virility if they will
quietly submit to this. I
"It will not mean the comparative t
triviality of having their ships and t
goods confiscated by a belligerent \
prize court. They will be destroyed t
nstead; and all on board will be sent
o their doom."
Use of Mines Legitimate.
Inasmuch an the second Hague co:>
ention failed to provide an agree lent
on the subject of mines, previous
y accepted principles of international
aw are held to be in force.
In one of the publications of the
"nlted States Naval College, for the
enefit of American naNal commander;,
he status of the question of mines and
orpedoes Is thus summarized:
"It may be affirmed that the use of
ri!n*? 1? a InniHmuffl moorw VlAOt ill
fes hs between b*?l lperentw. This portion
does not imply that mine* tnay l?*
ised at will without regard to those not
oij'-erned in the war.
"It is generally admitted that the bellie rent
jurisdiction Is the proper area for
tostititles. Within this area, therefore,
here may be a greater freedom ot' use
f mines.
"The sole restriction here should he
hat the mine< should be under coo
rol? that is. the belligerent should be
ible to control the mines in such .<
ray that they should not imperil the
leutral. or the belligerent might keep
he neutral from or guide him through
he mined area. The use of mines <
hould be confined strictly to military
operations and areas, and the peril#
should not * xtrtid to innocent neurals."
New Route for Cotton Shipments.
Senator Hoke Smith, who is particularly
interes'ed in the shipment of cotton
abroad, also stated that no complications
could arise from the destruction
of the Evelyn, but he urged that
It should result in choosing a new
route for cotton shipments to Europ?
The senator declared that the route
through the Mediterranean and Adriatic
seas to Trieste should be substituted
for the northern course, and maintained
that assurances had been given
that such a course for neutral shipping
was not dangerous.
Sinking of Steamer Evelyn
by Mine in the North Sea
Told of in Cable Dispatch
News of the sinking of the Evelyn cam*
in the following cable dispatch froni
Bremen, via London, sent last night:
"The American steamer Evelyn, which
sailed from New York January 29 with a
cargo of cotton for Bremen, struck a
mine yesterday oft Borkum Island, in the
North sea. The vessel sank. Her cap- ,
tain and twenty-seven of her crew were
saved. The nationality of the mine which
destroyed the Evelyn has not been established
"
First IX. S. Ship to Sink.
The Evelyn is the first American vessel
to meet with disaster as a result of
the sea warfare of the European nations.
She did not sink within the warzone
included in the German admiralty's
decree of February 4. which
went into effect Thursday. Borkum
Island lies directly off the German
coast, at the mouth of Ems river, and
is German territory.
Maritime records give the complement
of the Evelyn at twenty-five men.
so that it is probable that all on board
the vessel were rescued. The Evelyn
was a single-screw steel steamship, and
was commanded by Capt. Smith. She
was 252 feet long and 1,185 tons net.
She was built in Southampton, England,
in 1883. Her home port was Philadelphia.
WILL MAVT. NO PROTEST.
Owners of the Evelyn Took the
Chances of War.
NEW YORK. February 22.?William
L. Harriss of the firm which owned tho
steamship Evelyn, stink in the North
sea yesterday, said that his firm would
make no protest to the State Department,
as he considered the loss of tho
ship due to a war risk which he had
taken.
TU. PoaIi... ?"ie hv thfi firm
of Harriss, Irby' & Vose of this city,
and was carrying a cargo of cotton to
the firm's agents in Bremen. Mr. Harriss
estimated that there were about
5,500 bales of cotton on hoard the Kvelynr
valued at approximately $.H5o.ooo.
The cargo was insured by the owners
with the government, he said.
URGESlElANS
TO UNITE IN CRISIS
(Continued from First Page.)
the American Revolution, concluded
the exercises.
Members of the reception committee
in charge of seating arrangements, etc..
were Frederick D. Owen, chairman;
John E. Fenwick, James Berrel. Dr. F.
L. Briscoe, Paul Brockett, John Doyle
Carmody, Lewis P. Clephane, Seidell
M. Ely. Albert J. Gore. F. W. Graham,
Dr. Edwin A. Hill, John G. Johnson, A.
A. Lipscomb, jr.. Earl Marsh, Henry W .
Samson, J. McDonald Stewart. Philip
Walker, William D. Wirt, Richard P.
Hawes, Frederick B. Hyde and H. P.
Holden.
In Charge of Arrangements.
The following composed the committee
in charge of arrangements for the joint
celebration: Commander John H. Moore,
tt ? <""nl Georere Richards.
l\ S. Marine Corps; Mrs. Frank F. Greenawait,
Mrs. Vida A. Clementson, Mrs. K.
A. Alien and Mrs. Lisle L.nscomb, of the
Laughters of the American Revolution;
Juhn Kennedy Stout, Barry Bulkiev and
Gerald DeC. May, of the Sons of the Revolution
of the District; John P. Larnest.
William A. DeCaindry and Zebma Moses
of the District Society of the Sons of the
American Revolution, and Mrs. Blanche
L. lleustis, Mrs. Drurv C. Ludlow and
Fred D. Owen of Washington.
Occupying boxes during the ceremony
were Postmaster General Burleson,
Mrs. Burleson and the Misses Burleson,
Attorney General Gregory and Mrs.
Gregory, Senator Bank head, Mrs.
Bankhead and Miss Bankhead, Justice
and Mrs. Siddons. Maj. Charles W.
Kutz and Mrs. Kutz, Mrs. Samuel
Spencer, Mrs. Lawrence Townsend and
Miss Florence Finch.
Among the foreign diplomats and attaches
were: Russian embassy, Mr.
and Mrs. Scherbatskoy; Chile, Don t
Daris Ovalle; Bolivia, Senor Don Ignai*io
Calderon; I'ruguay. Dr. Carlos Maria
de Pena: Peru. Frederico Alfonso
Pezet; Colombia, Don Roberto Ancizar;
Nicaragua, Gen. Don Kmili&no Chamorro,
Don Joaquin Puadra Zavala;
Netherlands, Count J. A. Z. van Rechteren
Limpurg; Persia, Mirza Ali Ku'i
Khan; China, Koliang Yih; Haiti.
Solon Menos. Maurice Menos; Venezuela,
Don Santos A. Dominici; Bulgaria,
Stephan Panaretoff, Dr. George
N. Poulieff.
Others present included: Senators
fames H. Brady, George W. Norris,
William Amen f^iiiiiii, i iiuiuiiB cltti iin
lames K. Vardaman. Francis S. White,
rohn Barrett, director of the PanAmerican
Union; Surgeon General Ruaert
Blue, the assistant secretary - of
commerce and Mrs. Sweet, many mem>ers
of the House of Representatives,
nembers of the federal reserve board,
:he civil service commission, the judiciary.
the board of education and many
>fficers of the Army, Navy and Marine ?
^orps.
SEMLIN REPORTED BADLY
DAMAGED BY SERB GUNS
PARIS. February 22.?A telegram
rom Nish, Serbia, to the Havas agency
lays that severe damage was inflicted
luring the recent fighting near Belrrade.
The town of Semlin, across the
iver from Belgrade, was damaged bady
by Serbian artillery during an atack
on an Austrian monitor.
The monument erected in Semlin to
lunyadi, the famous Hungarian mill- ^
ary leaaer, wmcn was oeiiiK unea or
he Austrians as an observation tower,
ras injured. Several houses were *
turned.
i