X
WEATHER. & 4 ^ It?if "From Press to Home
Fartlv cloudy, probably showers late f X ? . . . ^ _* ^ II^PTI
warmer to- M >A fl|M AA P All .... . . ...
A |it Wv 1 ?I lj/l\|f Within the H oaf
Temperature hours ^B ^B H H H H H ^^r H H H MM H H H H \ H lt^^Jf
M j I ^mr rH Br H H H H cl^3
to- b?
on /^fcr W^V
I - I I ~ f- y ~ iwm R?t Omlitln, Kntk at February.
^ V. ^*r Mia. Dally Imp. MkWi Rtraday. Dd%
? . .. ~ tl_.? . ^
No. 20.268. WASHINGTON, D. C., SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 1916-EIGHTEEN PAGES. ONE CENT.
AMERICAN MISSING
AFTER SHIP STRIKES
. MINE QR A TQRPEDC
Steamer Sussex Meets Disas
ter While Making English
Channel Crossing.
U. S. CITIZENS ABOARD:
ONE SERIOUSLY INJUREC
Total of 250 Survivors Have Beer
landed in France.
CASUALTIES BELIEVED LARGI
"Wireless Apparatus Being Destroy'
ed. No Help Reaches Stricken
Vessel for Many
Hours.
LONDON. March ?inior
nation obtained from passenger:
on the channel steamship Sussex
damaged by an explosion yester
day afternoon on the way iron
Folkestone to Dieppe, indicate:
there may have been a consider
able loss of life. One Americai
i- missing, and is supposed t<
have been lost. Another was in
jtired seriously. Several Ameri
cans were rescued.
Opinion of passengers of tin
Sussex is divided as to whethei
the vessel was the victim of r
mine or a torpedo. The explo
sti iti tfrrttii* It liionrrp/l 111^'
ahead of the captain's bridge anc
tore the front part of the steamei
to pieces, killing or injuring i
number of persons. Many \ver<
wounded severely by flying
splinters.
250 Survivors Landed.
The admiralty states that 250 survivors
have been landed in France and
between 90 and 100 at Dover. As there
were 3S6 passengers and about fifty
men in the crew, seventy-five or more
persons are still missing.
Miss Baldwin, daughter of a prominent
American resident of Paris, was
injured seriously. Miss Baldwin's
father ami mother also were on boarc
the vessel. All have been taken tc
Boulogne. In addition to other injuries
Miss Baldwin's leg was broken
Miss Alice Ruiz of Colorado and Wildei
<1. Penfield of Merton College. Oxford
Kdward Huxley, president of the
United States Rubber Kxport Company
and Franc-is E. Drake, European manager
of the company, arc* among the
Americans rescued from the Sussex
They report that there was a heavj
loss of life, including probably severa
Americans.
There were thirty Americans a boarc
th'- Sussex when it left Folkestone.
The difti? ulti'-s imposed by war condi
t ons in communicating with hjnglish anc
cross-channel |*?ris have made it impossible
thus far to- obtain accurate in
formation regarding the circumstances o
the sinking of the- Sussex and the nainei
and nationalities of the passengers. Mos
of the passengers are believed to have
been continentals. There were 270 worn
en and children on the vessel.
The- Sussex carried twelve lifeboats anc
s?-\#?ral rafts The lifeboats were low
5. ! ft,.- ,h.. 1....;
?Food d:>' ipline w as maintained, h!
though there was some scrambling fo,
t ne boats.
The second boar which was lowered
i ontaining fort> persons, was over
' i.riM-ii. fassengers state that thirty o
t/ ? >? this boat were drowned.
Some Jump Overboard.
A number of the passengers jumpe;
o\ -b.?ar?l. 'h Kt .ngs and pieces of fur
fi tu ' were thrown to them from th<
dei'K-. M'-if than half of those wh?
leaped into the water are believed V
have lo-f their lives.
The foremasts and wireless apparatus
were blown away by the explo
son. The wireless operator attempted
'unsuccessfully to rig a substitute. I'er
sons who embarked in the boats re
turned to the Sussex before dark
Kockets were fired during the earl;
part of the night and at about rnid
night a trawler name t?, the rescue, J
took as many as it could carry t
Jioulog ne
A Hritish destroyer came up sooi
afterward and took on thee othe
e passengers, ?-??nve\ing them to Hover
Five bodies were left on the Sussex.
Some Blown to Atoms.
Kdward Huxley, who witnessed th
catastrophe from beginning to em,
states that several passengers and
number of members of the crew un
doubtedly were blown to atoms by th
explosion
Mr. Huxley told the Associated F'res
a remarkable story of the manner >
wl.oh the forward pari of the Susse
was torn off at the captain's bridg?
The reri;air.?:e.- of the vessel vta? ?
little damaged th.it even the electri
lights continued to burn.
Mr Huxley described the scene afte
the explosion ;is horrible. He eoul
gi\e nestimate of the number of per
sons killed. further than to say tha
many lives were lost. He woubl ven
t ire no opinion whether the disaste
was caused by a mine or a torpedo.
The rhief eng:neer of the Sussex vva
killed by the explosion, and the purse
wijs wounded seriously.
American Believed Lost.
An American whose name is no
known to survivors who have reaches
lxmdon w as talking w ith the Haldw i
family, close to the captain's bridg<
W when the explosion occurred. He ha
not been seen since that time and i
supposed to have been lost.
The explosion occurred at about
p.m., w hen the Sussex was an hour an
a half out of Kolkstone. Had i
not been for the watertight compart
ments the Sussex would have sunk an
(Continued oh Fourth l'agt.j
%
! PRESIDENT LISTS II
LEGISLATIVE BILLS
| Is Prepared to Insist on Every S
Item He Submitted to
n M nnnnli A P/MIAIlP
uemuui cuio v/dut-uo.
President \\ ilson was prepared 0
todav to insist vigorously on
even item of the legislative pro
grant he laid before the House
democratic caucus hist night, in- D<
eluding the appropriation bills, J
revenue bills and anti-dumping
i legislation, a tarift commission
I bill, the Philippine and Porto
Rico bills, shipping legislation,
j conservation. Mississippi river ^
and corrupt practices bills.
Before announcing the exact items
hi his program t'? the caucus the 111
President considered the subject very
carefullv because ??f his desire; to have
Punpress complete its work as quickly
as possible. He finally came to the j yj
conclusion that the measures included .
in the program are essential, and
- ought to he acted on during the pres- C(
ent session.
Looking to National Election.
The President included a corrupt a(
practices law* in the program because
1 he believed the time has come for the CJ1
enactment of a federal statute prohibiting
frauds in national elections. ,,
He has summarized his idea of a cor^
rupt practices act b\ saying that it
should provide that "a man who buys 'n
J an office cannot have it." an
The White House does not foresee ca
serious opposition to any of these j?
. measures within the party ranks in
Congress, and feels assured that all of n0
the program will be put through if the ca
republicans do not seek to prevent.
} The President and the party leaders,
who are in accord with him. take the cr
f position that if the republicans want Mi
to defeat or hamper any of the legisI
lation the responsibility will be upon
them before the country, arid they are ^
willing to charge this responsibility
. in the coming campaign where it belongs.
m,
' Hope of Early Adjournment. wi
r Gr
The President has been told by some (ja
I of the leaders that Congress ought to
, be able to put through the whole pro- y(
gram and adjourn by early July. He gh
C is gratified at the movement that is co
said to be afoot among the democrats li<
to push everything along, and he hopes ab
that the decks will be cleared early,
so that the presidential fight this \ear ab
may take place without the complica- W
tions of Congress in session. inj
1 en
House Leaders Speeding Up. ab
Steps to speed up congressional ac- I
tion on the administration legislative an
program so that adjournment may be ^
had early in June, were being taken a.
5 by House democratic leaders today, in fo
5 accordance with a party caucus de- th
, cision last night. President Wilson has en
urged an adjournment before the na- uj
> tional political conventions. co
The plan, as outlined in resolutions toi
adopted by the caucus, calls for earlier exsessions
of the House and night ses- hi
" sions' whenever necessary. I'nder the i wi
agreement the Easiness of all special I
- days in the week except "calendar Wed- at
. nesdays" will be dealt with at night to
sessions, and the tariff commission bill th
i will be made a part of the proposed w;
general revenue measure. hi
. T e
1 J" j h>
1 sy
Tomorrow
i
-THE MAN IN THE STONE
HOUSE." by FREEMAN TILDEN,
is the title of our new st
serial: it is a laughable story rn,
and quite out of the ordinary.....
1 A MAP of that part of MEXICO j te
where UNITED STATES I
TROOPS ARE HUNTING
VILLA. ,1!
1 ! "SIDELIGHTS ON BERLIN IN
WAR TIMES." an eye-witness ii>
account of conditions in the w
r German capital. j c0
"THE LAST BULLETIN. an mprcssive
?tory, by KATHARINE hf
HOLLAND BROWN.
i ! "UNCLE SAM IS TEACHING !"
THE ART OF PROMOTING
FOREIGN TRADE WITH
THE UNITED STATES" th
"PEOPLE WHO WAIT"?a two- *
page spread of interesting photographs.
fr
"THE PRIDE OF FRANCE IS s<
HER GREAT ARTILLERY v,
SERVICE." a vivid picture of
the duel that is going on Inces- or
sartly between French and jj,
Gerrjjan guns. y,
y "HOW I MADE MY GARDEN '?
PAY." an article replete with
t practical suggestions.
"THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PORTUGAL
AS A BELLIGERENT Ai
NATION." by CHARLES M.
PEPPER.
tr
"MINE OWNERS OF ALASKA K<
MAKE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS
FROM LOW-GRADE
ORES." by FRANK G. CAR- '
* PENTER.
j ML
, "DRESSMAKERS REVIVE COS- be
H TUMES OF THE LOUIS XV to
PERIOD," by ANNE RITTEN- pi.
,, : HOUSE. he
"NEW SECRETARY OF WAR in.
? I AIDED TOM L. JOHNSON IN
H I S POLITICAL ADVEN- V
TURES." by JAMES B. MOR- 1
x ROW.
"A FRENCH COOK'S EXPERIENCES
AT THE OCCL'PA,.
T ION OF NOYON BY THE ?
GERMAN ARMY," by STERr
: LING HEILIG.
*' "A SIXTEEN-HOUR DAY FOR
inc. ntm.
? ol
"THE RAMBLER" writes of
r "OLD ORCHARD, A MAGRUDER
HOME." on the out.v
skirts of the District. ! p]
"SOCIETY OF COLONIAL WARS ??
WANTS MILITARY E F F I- v?
CIENCY AND PREPAREDNESS,"
an interview with
, Frederic Louis Muldekoper.
1 i si
rj A PAGE OF ESSAYS AND c4
? STRIKING ARTICLES BY 4,
HERBERT KAUFMAN. p,
" In The Sunday
Star a'
to
pi
. . . *<
IE VOICES FAITH
WAITE IS INNOCENT
ends Word by His Parents
She Believes Him Guiltless
of Slaying Her Father.
ENTIST, CLOSE-GUARDED.
HAS A RESTLESS NIGHT
stective Says Alleged Murderer of
E. Peck Asked Him to Attempt
to Bribe Negro Maid.
I
MAY YORK, March 25.?Still
iffering from the effects of the
ircotic drags lie began to take
hen hi< troubles overwhelmed
m. Dr. Arthur Warren Waite
>ent a restless night under close
lard in the prison ward at Rclleic
Hospital. Rv Mondav the
--trict attorney expects to re ive
from the grand jury an inctment
charging the young den~t
with first degree murder in
Iministcring the arsenic which
Lttsed the death of his father-inw.
John E.. Beck, the (irand
apids millionaire.
Waite was cheered today by seeg
his father and mother, Mr.
d Mrs. Warren W. Waite. who
mo here last night from their home
Grand Rapids. Waite's father was
it permitted to see him when he
lied at the hospital late last night.
"Our son never committed this awful
ime of which they charge him," said
\ Waite. "Give him a chance and
> feel certain it will be cleared up."
Wife Has Faith in Accused Man.
Mr. Waite added that he brought a '
?ssage to the accused man from his }
fe, who is ill at the Peck home in
and Rapids. Mr. Waite said his
ughter-in-law had called him to
r home before he started for New
>rk and told him to tell her husband
e wanted to come to New York and
mfort him and that she did not be vf
a word of all that had been said
out him.
Tell hirn I have heard what they say
out him and another woman." Mr.
aite quoted the young wife as say- L
<. "It makes absolutely no differce
to me. And even if it were true,
out that othw wuituut tell him that
forgive."
detectives today said they had found
d identified the woman with whom
Arthur Warren Waite had regisred
at a hotel here as "Mr. and Mrs.
W. Walters." She was described as
rmerly a singer in public and now
e wife of an inventor and electrical
ul"* ??''f D' W'j 11 c. Hi>rl fftterf
i a studio in the hotel, so that they
uld study music and languages there
gether. Dr. Waite, she said. had often
pressed to her his great affection for
k father-in-law. Joiin R. Peck, of
lose murder he is accused.
\>r. Waite's admission to the district
torney yesterday that he had handed
Mr. Peek a package of arsenic and
e young dentist's assertion that Peck
anted it to commit suicide because of
s wife's death does not alter the inntion
of the prosecutor to continue
s investigation.
f'hysicians who conducted the autop' n
Mr. Peck's body in <5rand Rapids
?* expected here Monday to complete
e evidence to be submitted to the
and jury.
Attempt to Bribe Maid Reported.
\ sensational development was the '
;?lenient made to Mr. Swann by Kayond
.Schindler, a private detective,
at l?r. Waite had asked him *to atmpt
to bribe Waite's negro maid, '
>ra Hillier, to corroborate the den<t's
story that he bodght the poison
lieved to have caused the millionre's
death at the request of Peck,
ho was despondent and wished to
mm it suictde.
"If she will say in court that she
aid Mr. Peck ask me to buy the arnic."
Schindler told the district atrney
Waite said, "and that she saw
? give him the package unopened, I
ill give her a check for $1,000." )'
It. w-iitu 'j<-.'?r<iincr t#? till. / Ivlitrlirn t
ere upon signed what purported to he
check for $1,000 to the order of the
rl. u rltten by Schindler on a sheet
oiii his notebook. This "check" now
in the possession of Mr. Swann.
hindler said Waite did not know he
as a detective.
When first questioned by Mr. Swann
i Tuesday, Waite is said to have
ughed heartily and declared, "Why,
is is rich! I never purchased arsenic
my life arid have never had any."
Da. Waite's Statement.
Dr. Waite's statement as repeated by
isistant District Attorney Brothers
as substantially as follows: 'It is
u?* I put something into Mr. Peck's
up. but it was medicine. I was adsed
to do this by Dr. Moore. The
edicine was on a prescription by Dr.
oore and contained a quantity of
linine. Mr. Peck refused to take it
cause it tasted bitter. [ told this
Dr. Moore and he suggested that I
it the medicine in his soup so that
would not know that he was takk
it
All f know of the circumstances in
Ivirig rne in Mr. Peck's death is what
have read in the papers."
OFFERS MILL TO WORKERS.
aterson Silk Manufacturer Wants
Only 8 Per Cent on Investment.
l'ATERSON. N. J. March 'M.?An
fer by Henry Doherty, part owner of
it- of the largest silk mills in this
ty. to turn the mill over to his emloyes
to operate, provided they Kuaritee
to pay hiin H per cent on his in;stment.
haa caused much discussion
lions the silk workers here.
Mr. Doherty asserts that his offer is
ncere, and that, if the operatives ac;pt,
they can work as few hours a
ty as they please, provided his 8
er cent is paid.
Liner Alamo Towed Into Port.
\'K\V YORK. March 25.?The Mallory
ier Alamo, recently in distress off the
Llantic coast, arrived here today in
w of other vessels. She carried fifty
issengers and was on her way from
urto JUco to New York.
f
I I
- I?' 1 1 *
II
I
I
I
I!
1 II
i r
i
!
i
_J
VERDUN IN FLIES, ^
BERUNIREPORTS
Infantry Fighting Comes to ^
Halt, But Big Gun Duels
Continue.
FRENCH NOW SHELLING ](
GERMANS' POSITIONS "
t
Paris Claims Success in Surprise Attack
in the Argonne?Bomb
Fighting in Flanders.
; ii
'n
I .OX I)OW Marcli 25.? Ycrdun j i>
X in flames, according to today's ] n
. n
official statement by < ?erman army ,
headquarters. % j w
The French official statement says , ''
that the past night was quiet in the ''
Verdun region both east and west of |"n
the Aleuse, in so far as infantry fight- a
ing was concerned. Bombardments Si
continue by the French of German po- *'
Bitions in the woods of Malancourt and
Avocourt, and by both the tieririan and
French guns of opposing positions on s'
pi
all sides of Verdun. }?
French Official Report.
The text of today's French statement
follows: r<
"In the Argonne a surprise attack lT.
against the trenches of the enemy at
I'ourtes Chaussees resulted in our tak- w
ing some prisoners and inflicting losses
on the enemy. a]
The night passed quietly both to the ...
went and east of the River Afeuse. / '
e:
"In the Woevre district there has
been an artillery duel near Moulain- tl
ville." a
Last night's communication reads: tl
"In the Argonne following the explo- j,
sion of one of our mines at Yauquois,
the enemy today attacked and sue- tl
ceeded in momentarily gaining a footing
in one of our first-line trenches. ?
We expelled him at once through coun- s,
ter attacks, in which we took about t,
thirty prisoners. n
"The activity of our artillery con- ^
tinues intense against the German lines
of communication in the eastern At- rr
gonne, and also in the woods of Malan- s|
court and Azocourt. tj
"In the region to the north of Ver- n
dun no events of importance occurred u
during the day, except intermittent u
bombardments of our second Lines to u
the west and east of the Meuse, to p
wheh our batteries replied energetically.
Train Is Blown Up.
"To the northeast of St. Alihiel the
fire by our long range pieces on the
Vigneulles station g*ave good results.
A warehouse was demolished and a
train which was in the station was ^
blown up." H
Belgian communication: "The artil- 1'
lery has been rather active on both b
sides, especially in the sector of Dix- el
Vi<rhtln?r |?v mounu f hnmlw
has taken place in the region of the
'Ferryman's House.' "
The British official statement on the
campaign on the western front, issued
last night, says:
"The enemy exploded mines last night
and today near Cuinchy, just to the
north of the Ha Bassee canal. They did
no damage. We bombarded hostile
trenches to the south of the Comines
canal."
Japan Denies Bevision of Alliance.
TOKIO, March 25.?The foreign office
declares that rumors concerning a
revision of the Anglo-Japanese alliance
are baseless. Japan and Great
Britain have reached an amicable understanding
concerning patrols in the
Pacific for the inspection -of ships.
e&&*1/3 &c?-C
/?t/l+f ?jf 7)1*44***f/a i.
j ^rrrffyf" ffn&C*****
j| I fcgf 7i A yA**vr&+( -6~
! j |' II Jkc+U/*- |
| I or or
further Complications Faced
Over SubmarineDevelopmen
lestruction of Steamer Englishman, W
Possible Loss of American Lives, Presents
Most Serious Aspect of Situation.
Destruction of the British steamer Englishman, with the post
oss of American lives, and the explosion on the channel liner 1
ex carrying American passengers, coming close on the alleged
ack on the Patria and the sinking of the Tubantia. have serve
insettle the submarine situation again and raise possibilities of r
omplications with the central powers.
Presents Serious Aspect. "Peter McDonald, horse foreinai
Cherry street. Boston; P. Buckle;
American Consul Armstrong's pre- a. Burke, horsemen, addresses
miliary report, received today from kno\\n here; George McDonald, 1
t- . v mer, 37 Common street, Lawr
Iristol. that the Englishman ?as tor- Mass Their names are noi includ
edoed and that four Americans were lists of thirty-three so far rescue
lissing from the rescued, presented the Englishman was hound for Port
... , Me. Left Avonmouth 21st ins
lost serious aspect of the situation. Transported horses to St. Nat
The fact that the missing Americans France. for Northwestern Tra
re workers on a horse ship and not Company, New ^ ork. W as not on
, . , eminent business. No further par
assengers on a liner does not lessen ,ars at preseIU ava?able j? Brist
he interest of the American govern- %
,e,,t in the case. The oircun.stances ORDER OF DISMISSAL BY W]
re accentuated by the fact that the
hip was bound away from Europe and _ . _
arried no contraband. Long-Time P. 0. Officials Remi
As Consul Armstrong's dispatches did With No ReasOIl Assigned,
ot say upon what proofs he based his SAN FRANCISCO, March 25.?Oi
atements that the Englishman was tor- have been received from Wash in
edoed. further investigation wil he made r?nlovi fron, t?e poslal service
efore the case advances. Edward McGrath. superintendent
rr? _ c- /-. the railway mail service, and Ji
io rrooe oussex v-^e. o'Connell. city inspector, it be.
The explosion on tie Sussex, variously known today.
. i i 11 The telegram containing the 01
?porte.l !.? havinc been caused by a assiK?ert re.lFOM foI. the ac.tio?.
line and a torpedo, also will be investi- Grath. who was superintendent of
uted before the t'nited States determines eighth railway mail service divi
. .. i comprising California, Nevada. Aris
I,ether tt to concerned. rtah and the territory of Hawaii.
Secretary Pausing made it plain that been in the service twenty-eight v
II the reports received today were of a and O'Connell twenty years,
relitninary nature and that more were ~
tpected Ten-Cent Hotel for Women.
Consul Armstrong at Bristol reported
lat the Englishman was torpedoed at CHICAGO, March 25.?Plans f(
n unknown place and time, and that hotel, which will be operated and ?
l:;.?ya^Vlru^,:Un;ZiV<Brih,fskb7.onrtrOU|hhet women for women, are ,
merican citizens known to be aboard in the hands of Charles G. Dawes,
lie ship were not among the survivors, is building the hotel as a tribut
The missing Americans are Peter Mc- his mother. Mrs. Mary Dawes. V
onald, a horse foreman of 58 Cherry the hotel is opened there will b<
treet, Boston; George McDonald, a harriers. All women who work f
rirnmer of 37 Common street. Law- living who are poor and those
ence, Mass.; P. Buckley and M. A. seek a night's lodging will be rece
lurke, addresses unknown. The hotel, which is to cost $12?
The consul also reported that sixty will contain 250 rooms, which wil
lore persons who were aboard the rented at 10 cents a night and upv
hip were believed by the British an- ,
norities to have been saved, although w-.- r% _ _ . ,
o definite information on that point $100,000 Fire at 6rand Rapid
-as available. If sixty more persons r?.?n rapids Mich March
ere saved eighteen persons remain GRAND kai iUfc. Alien., Aiarcn
naecounted for, according to the dis- Fire of unknown origin early t>
atch. caused a loss estimated at $100.00
the plant of the Criswell Furni
Text of the Dispatches. Company.
The text of the dispatches, dated to- *
ay, to the State Department, was as Fruit Company PlacCS Fmbar
allows: NEW YORK, March 25.?The L'r
i dominion line sieamer r run * ompany iims jiiatxu mii emu;
irpedoed; time ami place unknown on all shipments to points on the
ere. Survivors brought into northern coast of South America, south
. . . . . . . . t'allao, Peru. This followed the
ritish ports. Jhirt>-three so fai be- iaratj0n 0f similar embargoes by
eved saved, sixty more reported as of the steamship lines operating
ossiblv rescued, leaving shortage of tween Panama and the wesft coast
ighteen. results from the piling up ??f good
Following Americans were on board: isthmus and the inability of
west coast lines to keep pace '
... heavy shipments.
fi * C Towne Again Seeks Senatorsh
Lomic Sections NEW YORK, March 25.?Charlei
f rrr Towne, former United States sen;
mm I nmovrntir ,
A viuui x v/ ** iroiii miuucaui<i, jiihuuihco iiiai ne
enter the primaries in New York
Tli? 1^,.^ locf the democratic nomination to ?uc<
1 ne tonnes lOSt Id SI Senator James A. O'Gorman.
Sunday bv the railroad _ , , ~ 7~z? 7TT, _
Lobsters Beach Kecord High Pi
turned up yesterday, and BOSTON, March 25.?Lobsters I
both Comic Supple- reac*ed T ^%hpr,ce ever *n
? 1 in New England. They are quote*
ments will be issued the local market at 75 cents a poi
. - , ? Boisterous weather, an unusually
With O una ay s btar, spring, and small imports from
. Canadian provinces, are given as
f cause of the advance.
? x
1 SEE A WIDE PLOT
IN MEXICAN TALES
Administration Officials Think
There Is Conspiracy to
Force Intervention..
STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT
nm oitiiaTinn 10 i ii/n v
UIV OIIUHIIUIM to LII\LLI
Steps May Be Taken to Punish Of^
fenders Under the "Arson and
Riot" Statute.
Convinced that powerful influences
are at work to force inter/
vention in Mexico through the
sprea/ling of alarming rumors,
administration officials today were
considering just what steps shall
be taken to bring the agitation to
I an end.
President Wilson himself probably
will issue an official statement
on alarmist reports from
the Mexican border instead of
having Secretary Lansing do it,
as was at first planned.
Part of a Propaganda.
The President and the cabinet are so
convinced that certain reports are part
of a propaganda to force a general intervention
in Mexico that it was decided
the subject was of sufficient importance
for the President to deal with
personally.
Many officials believe that a w*ell defined
effort is being made by interests
owning property in northern Mexico to
inflame the minds of people in the
" United States and in Mexico to a point
where war between tne two countries
would be inevitable.
g Some of Steps Contemplated.
Following: a thorough discussion of
the subject at yesterday's cabinet meeting,
President Wilson is said to be determined
to stop circulation of the inith
flammatory rumors and to take legal
steps if necessary.
The use of the law against the publication
of reports tending to incite
arson and riot." tightening of the
censorship on Mexican news and warning
army officers on the border against
giving out unconfirmed reports are all
under consideration by administration
officials.
;ible Republicans of the Senate held a conference
today to determine upon a plan
SllS- of action which would result in further
. troops being ordered to protect AmeriI
at- cans in border states. The conference
j adjourned until Monday without action,
U tO when some definite step will be taken.
iiore Await News From Front.
Officials settled down today to await
n# 58 word that Villa and his outlaws had
y, M- been captured or killed by the inter,
Mn" national forces reported to be closing
trimence,
about him. Although no official report
ed in had come to the War Department, it
, w as said that Gen. Funston placed some
tt rredenoe in unofficial reports that the
itant. x*nited States troops had met and en^dintr
the bandit chieftain.
1 ^ Elesio Arredondo. Gen. Carranza's am~
bassador, protested to Secretary Lansing
M0."" today that ammunition for Gen. Oar?
ranza, consigned on a ship leaving NewYork
yesterday, was held up by the cus[pr
toms authorities.
Secretary Lansing told the ambassador
there was no intention to hold up animuIVed,
nition for Gen. Carranza. and that the
delay was caused by a preliminary examination
to assure the government that the
. ^ shipment would not reach his enemies.
8 It will he allowed to go forward,
gton
here To Keep Careful Watch.
limes Customs officials, however, will in;ame
spect all shipments of ammunition to
Gen. Carranza to make sure that they
Ale- are not poins to sections of Mexico
r tne w-here disloyalty is feared. There is
sion, no disposition to withhold the ship!C|na?
ments from Carranza. but the State
paro department intends that the possibility
ears, Qf ammunition going to Villa shall be
min imized.
Mr. Arredondo brought no new word
on tne request 01 ine i nnea states 10
use Mexican railways or on the pro>r
a posed protocol for the joint pursuit of
nan- ^*^la bandits.
Today's advices from Consul Rodgers.
oday at Gen. Carranza's headquarters at
who Queretaro, reported a continuing: favore
to ahle sentiment, but made no mention
Vhen ?* American request for use of
e no Mexican railway lines for transporting:
or a supplies to (Jen. Pershing's expedition.
iv^d? Report Excellent Co-Operation.
li?be ^Ir' Rod8:ers dispatch, dated yesterirard.
day, is in substance as follows:
"1 have had an interview with Gen.
Obregon and he informed me that ade*
quate forces are being utilized in the
25.? Villa campaign and that should more j
oday be required they will be sent.
0 to "den. Obregon stated that there was
iture exctlllent co-operation between the
fores of the two governments and absolutely
no friction. He further stated
that there was absolutely no truth
o>q in the reports published in the Ameri5
' can newspapers to the effect that (Jen.
lited Herrera had revolted and had joined
argo forces witlT Villa.
No Trouble at Juarez.
'ttvo Official advices dated yesterday at
be- 5 P-m- from El Paso, says a State DeIt
partment announcement, report the
s ,at military authorities at Juarez showing
the
with every evidence of being satisfied with
the attitude of the American government
and with the conduct of outtroops.
ip. The marine transport Hancock of
the navy, en route from Philadelphia
3 A- to Key West, was ordered by radio toator
day to proceed to Galveston and rewill
main there indefinitely. Naval officers
f explained that this was done so the
1 , Hancock would be available should
conditions in Mexico make advisable
the removal of Americans. Continued
reports of satisfactory conditions in
i/*? Mexico would make it unnecessary to
use the Hancock,
lave ,
To Represent Japan at Conference.
und. TOKIO. March 25.? Baron Yoahiro
late Sakatani, former minister of finance,
the has been designated to represent Japan
the at the forthcoming economic conference
of the entente allies Paris,
VILLA IS REPORTED I
OUT OF THE TRAP;!
FLEEING WESTWARD
El Paso Hears Bandit Chief
Has Eluded American and
Carranza Troops.
PERSHING STILL SILENT
AS TO RUMORED BATTLE
Though Wireless Again Is Working,
Commander Sends No Word t
of Fighting.
BORDER UNEASINESS GROWING
Several Towns Appeal for Additional
Protection, and United States
Troops Are Dispatched in
Response.
EL PASO, Tex., March
Francisco Villa was reported
carlv today to 1>e fleeing west in
the San Miguel country, having
successfully eluded the encircling
ring that was being drawn around
him by American and Carranza
troops.
News of the outlaw's retreat
westward was brought here from
El Yalle, but could not be con-.
tirmea at rort imiss or 111 .Mexican
official circles.
Wireless Working Again.
SAN ANTONIO. Tex., March 25.?With
the wireless working satisfactorily for
almost the first time since American
troops have been In Mexico, Gen. Funston
today Is awaiting dispatches from
Gen. Pershing to confirm reports that
United States troops have engaged
Villa forces near Namiqulpa.
In messages received yesterday from
field headquarters at Casas Grandes,
two of the American advanced columns
were reported to be in the vicinity oC
Namiqulpa, but no mention was mads
of an engagement.
Report of Three Murders.
The reported killing of three Anier*
leans near Gibson's ranch, fifteen miles
west of Columbus, presumably byMexican
bandits, was received with
deep concern at department headquax*
fers today. Official advices on the raport
are awaited.
No explanation was offered of the
report from El Paso that two companies
of the 7th Infantry were ?>n duty
at police headquarters last night
It was pointed out by officers that
Brig. Gen. Bell In command of troops
| at El Paso has authority to employ his
| troops for the best protection of th?*
border town.
More Guards for Border.
I In answer to protests from t? sni'-nts
at Presidio, Marfa and Del 11 to, IV* .
for more protection, Maj. Gen. Funston
today announced that a battalion of
the 24 th Infantry, now on the way
here from Fort D. A. Russell, will bo
stationed in that district.
One company will go to Marfa, relieving
a company of the 14th. which
will go to Presidio, opposite ojinana,
ilex., and two companies will to to
Del Rio for patrol duty along the
Southern Pacific railway. Another company
will be stationed at Fabens. near
El Paso.
Col. Foltz, commanding the troops at
Douglas, today disposed of the rumor
that Carranza troops were being
massed along tlie border there, lie reported
that the garrison at Agua
I'rieta. opposite- Jtouglas. comprised
only 2rt0 officers and men and that
there was but one battery of artillery.
Situation More Puzzling-.
EL PASO. Tex.. March 25.?Th* reiterated
claim that Francisco Villa was
surrounded, made at Mexico City early
today in a message received there from
Gen. Luis Gutierrez. Carranzas commander-in-chief,
only served to make
the situation in the field more puzzling
from the viewpoint of the border. According
to the telegrams from (Jen Hertani,
made public here by Consul Garcia,
the American columns were cooperating
with the Carranza forces
and formed part of the circle drawn
around the bandit chief. (Jen. Gutierrez,
however, made no reference to
Gen. Pershing's troops.
The most curious feature of the whole
situation, the question why Gen. Pershing
made no report on the battles said
i to have been fought, remained unsolv ed.
While the story of the surrounding
of Villa and his followers might
be dismissed as premature, it 1s know n
that the American columns have penetrated
the territory where the Villa
bands are operating, and word is
eagerly awaited from Gen. Pershing of
the first clash between the bandits and
the troops of the I'nited States.
Known to Be on Trail.
Several thousand American soldiers
are known to lie searching the country
south of Casas Grandes, and in every
direction to locate the bandit, but have
not c-ome into contact with him.
Wire communication out of EI I'a so
into Mexico is still interrupted, and it
Is believed that roving- bands of Villa
men are responsible for the wire cutting.
having been detached from the
main Villa command for this purpose.
Mexican Consul Garcia was still without
further word of the reported tight
the Carranza soldiers had with Villa
at El Oso, south of Xamiquipa.
Dispatches received at Mexico City
and Douglas. Ariz., apparently confirm
reports to El Paso from Gen. Bertani,
in the field, that the troops of
the de facto government had conio
Into contact with Villa in the Sama
Clara canyon. Gen. Pershing has
made no mention of this battle, and
army officers here Incline to the belief