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WEATHER. Fair and cold tonight; lowest tem perature about 18 degrees; tomorrow? fair, with rising temperature. Temperature for twenty-two hours ended at noon today?Highest. 34. at J p.m. yesterday: lowest. IS. at 6 Full report on page !. WITH SUNDAY MOBNING EDITION No. 28,372. Entered as second-class matter post office. Washington, D, Qa Saturday's Net Circulation, S4.348 Sunday's Net Circulation, 87,536 WASHINGTON, D. C., MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 1922.-THIRTY-SIX PAGES. TWO CENTS. Parley Experts Speed Up Work Today Despite New Year Holiday. SETTLEMENT ALSO NEAR ON FAR EASTERN ISSUE Another Plenary Session Expected Soon for Announcement of Formal Five-Power Treaty. Br the Atftoclated Pre**. Pesplte the New Year holiday, paval experts of the arms conference delegations kept at work today on their task of ironing out details of The naval limitation plan which it is hoped to put into final treaty form by the end of the week. With no serious difficulty expected in formu lating the necessary technical adjust ments to cover such questions as re placement and scrapping of ships, there was a general feeling today that the end of the week may see another plenary session of the con ference for announcement of a for mal five-power treaty covering the naval limitation scheme. Far Gut Settlement. With this prospect for final disposi tion of the naval program, there'was a general expectation among the delega tions today that in the following week a settlement covering the far eastern field would be effected, permitting the conference to adjourn about the middle of the month. Despite the several troublesome issues which apparently have yet to be cleared away in that branch of the negotiations, including the Shantung question upon which the Japanese and Chinese are now dead locked, it was believed that settlement would not be delayed beyond two weeks. Most of the foreign delegates have made definite arrangements for their departure at the end of that time. In connection with far eastern questions, the Siberian situation had been brought suddenly Into promi nence today through publication by the special delegation here from the far eastern republic of copies of alleged communications between the Japanese and French governments covering the proposal that the two governments act in concert at the Washington conference with respect to the establishment of a Japanese protectorate over Siberia^ Declared "Forgertr?." Although the documents were promptly declared by a m?mber of the Japanese delegation to be a "ma licious fabrication" and characterised by a French delegate as "forgeries, stupidly contrived," there was con siderable speculation today whether the accusation would be brought for mally before the conference by the Chinese or some other delegation when the Siberian situation is taken up on the agenda. The far eastern representatives themselves not only are not members of the conference, hut are speaking for an unrecognized government, which left It entirely un certain as to what cognizance may be taken of the charges. DRIFTING SHIP SAFE. Vessel Broke Away While Being Towed by Tugs. By the Asanvisted Frew. CHERBOURG, January 1.?The British battleship Vengeance, which lias been adrift in the storm in the English channel, was safely towed into this port today^^^^^^^^^^^ The Vengeance hal^^^^mal^S^v aboard. On Friday night while be ing towed by tugs to a shipyard to be dismantled she broke away, and the crew was unable to gain con trol. French naval tugs and other craft spent all day yesterday trying to find the big ship in the channel, where she was in imminent danger of collision or going ashore. PICTURE SHOWS CLOSED. Imposition of Additional Tax Af fects Hany in Algiers. ALGIERS, January 1.?All motion picture theaters in the province of Algiers closed deiinitely with the coming of the new year, owing to im position of an additional 5 per cent tax. bringing the total levy to 33 per cent of the gross receipts. The clos ing affefts 4.000 musicians and 2,000 other employes. WOMAN ROBBED OF $1,200. Loses Savings for Home When She Visits Chicken House. SANFORD. N. C.. January. 2.?With S1.200 in currency securely tucked inside her stocking. Mrs. Joe M. Thomas was knocked down and rob bed at her home near here when she went out to see if a chicken house was fastened. The money had been brought home to be used in building a new house. She had just finished counting it. Bloodhounds failed to pick up any trail. Her husband was shot at when lie started to town to get a physician. 'WILSON HOUR* PROPOSED Ceremony Marks Beginning of Drive for $1,000,000 Foundation. NEW YORK. January 2.?Plans for a. "Wilson hour." to be held from noon to 1 o'clock on Monday, January 16, ?were announced today by Franklfn D. Roosevelt, national committee chairman for the Woodrow Wilson Foundation. This ceremony will mark the be ginning of the campaign for raising a fund of Sl.OOO^OOO or more with whioh to endow patriotic awards In Mr. Wilson's name for distinguished public service. HELD ON MURDER CHARGE. ? 1 i ?1' ? JACKSONVILLE, Fla., January 2 ? James West, flfty-flve, was held in jail on a charge of murder in connec tion with the shooting to death of Robert Long, twenty-six. The shoot ing occurred at a boarding house where the two men lived and was the reitilt of jealousy. 30 SHIP BOARD STEAMERS TO BEAR GRAIN TO RUSSIA ; f Idle Ships Anchored in James River to Be Made Ready?Will Aid if Needed; Official Here Says. ? By ?!)? Associated Pro??. NEWPORT NEWS. Va., January 2.? Thirty Shipping- Board steamers an chored in James river are to be made ready for sea at once and placed in the Russian relief sen-ice. according to well founded reports here. Shipping- Board officials understand lr?LUr S.uir>e are to be used to carrv when ,?hihe 8tarv,nK Russians. Just through whTc?h pTns theVXVm tYmef however.18 aWe l? at "<" ri Vf'r SlCt?mrra are, anchored in James | Skit. Eustis. where the I Sh Ipplng Boaf d has some 300 of thrin waiting to go in service. Marine men at this port sav shin tivify'Uian0TrT S'S"8 of greater ac >^ne 188 ln severa' months. ?Mne steamers were chartered lien, last week and are being made roadv for transatlantic and coastwise serv H-lv?e,hhiPPnig Board ?* Preparing to Uon Relief Administra such shipping tonnage as may FRESH HOPE TAKEN IN PAMYRESULTS Disappointment Over French Stand Gives Way Before Recapitulation. BV V. O. MESSENGER. It is not alone the psychological in fluence of the season?when every body is disposed to take a fresh grip ?" "'e an<i stake out a new claim on hope which animates arms confer ence oircles to heightened activity with prospect of achievement. There is solid foundation for expectation of writing into the record a measure of agreement among the nations which will benefit the world. The past few days, when France dashed the hope of the world for a larger limitation of naval armament, were the darkest of th^ life of the conference thus far. Disappointment, while keen, did not brood despair, but Induced to a recapitulation of results tcramiriliked Hd forecast of others still deemed possible. So this week starts with this stock taking proceeding showing fen en couraging- inventory. There are still things to be done which can be rea sonably regarded as within the range cf accomplishment. The fact that the topliners among the dele gates are preparing to return to 'heir own countries is expected to expedite speedy determination of what can be done and the doing of it. Mill Pass Vp Doubtful Issues. Far eastern problems are counted upon as presenting the immediate agenda for conference action. The next few days should show whether they arte susceptible for adjustment or present phases threatening pro longed discussion and argument. It is thought that the delegates are in no mood for extending the confer ence beyond the middle of this month and will quickly "pass up" the problems wnose early solution seems unlikely or even problematical. ?if ils 'bought that the confercnce will be wary about exposing to issue any acute questions the presenta ...? whlch might tend to create ill feeling between nations. It is the sincere hope of the guiding spirits of the conference that the opochal meeting may adjourn without an other untoward incident that would tarnioh the partial record of achieve ment with a sting of bltternese. The blow administered to the naval limitation program by France is classed as sufficing In this direction. Ttme. the healer, is expected to lessen the irritation thus far created, and thoughtful men in the con ference believe that when the meet ing is considered In retrospect under the mellowing influence of calm con sideration, it will, despite the limited measure of enactment, bulk large in the vista of great events of the world. See Other Coafereaees. Already the proponents of the con ference and the enthusiastic partici pants are looking forward to other conferences to come which will carry on the work undertaken at Washing ton. It is said to be certain that the world will not rest fconteirt vlth the scope of naval limitation now set forth In metes and bounds, but will insist upon another trial be made for extension. France, it is argued, has checked the movement for curbing submarine warfare, but has not stopped it. No on<! thinks that a world-wide agree ment can be reached for the elimina tion of the submarine, but the ma jority opinion seems to be that it will be possible to reach a world pact for its strict delimitation. The issue will be drawn as between the use of the submarine for aggres sion or defense, and in either case, to outlaw it as a destroyer of Inter national lawful commerce and non belligerents. When a margin can be found between these two use! no j6** nati?n, it Is contended, can afford to hold aloof from an under 8 ?h amon? the powers of the OFFICER SWEPT OFF SHIP. Lieut. MacDonald Loses Life From , Minesweeper Quail. NEWPORT, R. I., January 2 ? Word was received here yesterday by relatives of Lieut. Donald Mac Donald, U. a. N. 44, that the officer was swept overboard from the mi?. sweeper Quail early thii P and lost The Quail was ofr SS point at the time on her way^ mn adelphla. for which p%7 sL?anL: yesterday from Boston. 1Ied PennsU}tiva,nr.DOnaW Was * of WALES BEACHES RANGOON. 2 ?The0?India, January i ? '"* bp' needed for the transportation of grain to Russia after the American private owners have done what the> can Vice President J. B. Smull, in charge of charters and allocations of the Shipping Board, said today. The Jones law provides, Mr. Snvull pointed out. that American ship owner* and operators shall have the first opportunity, but he indicated that the board is ready to carry the re maining grain at cost. The board plans, if necessary, to assign thirty 7.500 to 12.000 ton ships to this work. They may be selected at different coast ports, including New York. Philadelphia, Baltimore, Newport, and gulf ports. it will take only ten days at the most to outfit such ships as are selected for, this service. Mr. Smull said, indicat- . ing that most of them could be made | ready wilhin three days. j A few davs ago* he stated, orders went out to "break out" five vessels at1 different ports, and later five more were I ordered made ready and the keepers told to stand by on twenty more vessels.! The ships are not all in the James j river, it was said, but are tied up at j the different ports where Shipping Board vessels are located. "SECRET AUIANCE i TO K GIVEN PARLEY Pact Between Japan and France Charged for Pro tectorate Over Siberia. The delegation representing the far j eastern republic, which last night j made public charges that France and | Japan had an agreement to foster a , Japanese protectorate over Siberia, is prepared to lay before the Washing ton conference all the facts in the case as it sees them, it was said at the headquarters of the delegation here today. Commenting upon that fact that members of the French and Japa nese delegations had promptly declared that no such-agreement existed and that the alleged notes and documents purporting to have passed between the two governments published by the far eastern republic representa tives were "forgeries," a spokesman for the far eastern delegation said. "What else could they say?" Sourer Xot Revealed. He was asked to reveal the source from which these documents were ob tained and for evidence of their au thenticity, but replied that it was not desirable to give the source. As to the authenticity, he said that an examination of the course pursued by Japan and France would bear out the statements contained in the docu ments. His intimation was that copies of original documents had been obtained by secret service agents of the far eastern republic. Similar charges regarding the French and Japanese, he said, without the docu ments, have been published in Eng lish language newspapers in China. "We have asked for a hearing before the Washington conference in regard to Siberian matters," he said, "and so far the only reply we have received is that the Siberian question has not yet been reached on the agenda. "We hope for a hearing, but if it is not granted, then we will submit our case in documentary form to the con ference, and make it public In a state ment issued to the newspa^prs." Copies Made Public. The Far Eastern Republic delega tion made public copies of what were said to be communications between Japan and France relating to the pro posal that Japan maintain a protec torate over Siberia and that France back her up in the project. The Washington conference is re ferred to in one of the alleged com munications directed by the French government to the Japanese under date of September1 2, 1921. transmit ted by telegraph from the foreign office in Paris, to be delivered to- the minister of foreign affairs in Tokio. This document said: "The aims of the Washington con ference are not quite clear to the French government," this note read. "We are therefore unable to express our frank opinion with regard to the conference. "We take into consideration the in terests of Japan to the same extent as we have done it before, especially when our government is oonvinced that with regard to all the questions which will be discussed in, Washing ton the French government will have to rely on Japan only. U. 9. Intention Frustrated. "Our agreement with Japan on the Siberian question forces us to be very careful, for our decisions are in conflict with the policy of America, which Is now playing an important part In. the east. America's Intention to secure for itself a place in soviet Russia has been frustrated by our policy. , ?The Americans are therefore push ing the eastern question so as to gain permanency in the west. We must resist such efforts by all means, and the French government hopes to have the help of the Japanese gov ernment in that. "The Japanese plan to create a free republic in the east under the pro tectorship of Japan is comprehensible to us and the French government will give Its support to that plan by ail means, especially as we believe that the Japanese government will take into consideration our interests in the Chinese Eastern railway, Man churia and our interests in conces sions. Eradiation Plana Premature. "We consider necessary, therefore, to be well informed to all the details of the Dairen conference so as to come to Washington sufficiently pre pared. It would be advisable to send such a delegation which would be capable of working out all the details. In this regard we would advise you to consult our representative. "Japan's plan to evacuate Siberia our government regards as premature and dangerous if tc take into con sideration that the communistic re gime In Russia Is reaching it's end. "A complete collapse can be expect ed at any time. There is no need of sending our troops against the bol sheviks, or of taking any other step. The chao, the general situation, our attitude of expectation and the ter rible famine have ruined Russia. The east will also be influenced by thiq crisis. The chaos will be extended to Siberia, and in this respect we need the help of Japan. Because of thesy {Continued on Pace 2, Column 8.) w JUST A NEW YEAR'S DREAM. PENROSE FUNERAL WILL BE PRIVATE Body Taken to Philadelphia ( Home?Colleagues Pay High Tributes. Without any of the ceremonious pomp to which his power and Influ ence entitled him, the body of Sena tor Boies Tenrose of Pennsylvania, who died late Saturday night, was taken from here yesterday to his Philadelphia home, where funeral services will be private, in compli ance with his expressed wishes. Not even a congressional committee will attend the service*. Both branches of Congress, upon reconvening tomorrow, will adjourn for the day out of respect to the lata senator, but will forego other cus tomary ceremonies. A request of Senator Penrose that his funeral should be private and that no con- i gressional committees should be ap pointed was communicated to Vice President Coolidge and Speaker Gil lett. Senator Penrose's body was accom panied to Philadelphia by his brother. Dr. Charles B. Penrose, and the sena tor's secretary. Finance Committee Meet*. Members of the Senate flnance com mittee, over which the late Senator Penrose presided, met informally to day with the expectation that all members of the committee would go to Philadelphia for th? funeral. The expressed wish of the late senator's family that the funeral be private had been communicated, however, to Sen ator McCumber of North Dakota, the ranking republican member, and the committee therefore decided to take no action. It did determine, however, that sev eral of its members would draft the resolutions which are to be submitted to the Senate when it convenes to morrow. Owing to the absence of Senator Crow of Pennsylvania, who is ill In a hospital at Harrisburg, it was under stood that Senator Lodge of Massa chusetts, the republican floor leader, would make the announcement of Mr. Penrose's death in the Senate. But this arrangement was subject to change. Praised by Senator Lodft. The impress of Senator Penrose's great force of character on legisla tive and political events Is voiced generally in statements by his colT leagues, including leaders of both parties. have known Senator Penrose for many years and have been very close lv associated with him In the Senate," said Senator Lodge of Massachusetts, republican floor leader. "He was ten years after m* at Harvard and I never knew him' until we were in the Senate. He was always a very kind and loyal friend to me during all1 these vears, and I shall miss him very greatly. He was a man of strong Character and very marked ability. He had not only great humor of the most keen, if sometimes sardonic, kind, but his humor was all his own. "His work in the Senate was prin cipally in regard to the tariff and financial legislation, subjects of which he was a master. His high courage was never more shown than In the way lie faced his severe illness, which would have reduced most men to a Condition of invalidism. "I never saw1 anything more plucky than the way he went on with his work despite his suffering. "Senator Penrose held a very high position In the Senate and Is a very great loss to that body, whei'e his distinction was fully recognized. His death will be felt not only In the Senate, but greatly in his state, which he represented with So much ppwer so many years." Tribute by Underwood. Senator Underwood, of Alabama, democratic leader, said: 'T was greatly distressed to heir of Senator Penrose's death. He was a man of great. force and great abil ity and undoubtedly one of the fore most leaders of his party in his time. tRn loss will be greatly felt by his colleague* his J?rty and Ms state." Senator Penrose's Important post as chairman of the Senate flnance com mittee. with its supervision of the pending' tariff bill and of subsequent fiscal legislation, will \be filled by Senator Porter J. McCumber of North Dakota, another committee veteran. Mr. Penrose's death, republican leaders say, will not cause any ma terial'delay In disposal of the tariff. ~ .ccootiiaiefcon FW*. Coin** ?.> " * ? '' "FAMILY FORUMS" DISCUSSING THE STAR S ESSAY PROBLEMS Questions Being Studied by Parents and Teachers of Children Preparing for Contest. Questions about the conference on limitation of armament published daily in the Star in connection with the $1,000 essyy contest on "The Arms Conference and Its Significance" are being studied not only by chil dren preparing to become contestant*, but by parents, teachers and even school officials themselves who desire to test tbelr familiarity with the parley proceed Irigs. It has-developed that prospective entrants in the Star's contest have propounded to their fathers and mothers many of the queries which the conference experts of the Star's staff have formulated, occasioning in teresting educational discussions or "family forums,'' from which the children derive much benefit. Teachers of hUtory, current events, civics, geography and other subjects to which the conference may be cor related in several instances have saved the lists of questions for use in class examinations and oral tests, it is understood. Washington school children, particularly those attending the junior and senior high schools and the upper grades of the elemen tary schools, may, therefore, find on re-turning to school tomorrow after their holiday vacation that the prob lems in The Star over which they have been pondering once more face them for solution. The live questions In today's list follow: What does the Far Eastern Repub lic comprise? j When Is it proposed to remdve for SEVENTEEN ARE KILLED BY CAVE-IN AT MINE I 1 Others Believed to Have Lost Lives in Disaster in Northern Mexico. EL PASO, Tex.. January 2.?Seven , teen bodies were removed Saturday from the dump of the San Francisco del Oro mine near Parral. Chihuahua, where a cave-in occurred December ?8, burying a gang of workmen. News of the disaster was brought to El Paso by mining men here today from Parral. The number of dead is not known here, but it !s reported there were no survivors of the gang working on the dump when the cave-In occurred. The San Francisco del Odo is a Brit ish concern operating one of the largest silver-lead properties in .northern Mexico. io swim canal in Fleeing! Seven Other Prisoners Escape En ' Route From Pacific Fleet. PORTSMOUTH, N. H., January J.? The United States transport Hender son arrived at the navy yard here yesterday with eighty-three naval prisoners from jttte Pacific fleet. Of ficers reported .that seventeen pris oners had made their escape since the vessel left San Francisco, ten having jumped overboard when the ship was going through the Panama Canal and the remainder making their escape at points on the Pacific coast where the vessel stopped. The -prisoners were transferred to the naval prison here and began sen tences of from two to five years. These prisoners are all enlisted men whose homes are east of the Missis sippi. "BO" McMILUN WEDS. Gridiron Star of the Fraying Colo- | nels Takes Bride. DALLAS. Tex., January J.?Mem bers of the Centre College team of Dan ville, Ky., which, meets the Texas Ag ricultural and Mechanical College eleven at Dallas stadium here this afternoon, went," to Fort Worth early today to at tend the marriage of Alvin Nugent ("Bo") MaMUlln, one of the Danville stars, to Miss Maude Marie Miers of Fort Worth. Immediately after the ceremonies the wedding party motored back to Dallas for the wedding breakfast, after which the squad will be ready for today's game, the laat in which McMlHta will iappear as a matter-of the ~? Cilnmls. eign post offices from China and let the Chinese handle all their postal affairs? What limit in size of individual naval vessels, outside capital ships and aircraft carriers, is proposed? Why has the settlement of the Yap question been important to the United States? What is to become of the Anglo Japanese ailiance? It is emphasized that answers to these questions should not be submit ted to The Star. Contestants, however, are advised to secure all information which will enable them to answer the question* Intelligently before writing their essays. Announcement of the date when the contestants should begin the writing of their essays probably Will be made this week, together with the simple rules of the contest and the personnel of the board of judges. Meantime the stu dents are urged to read carefully the dally newspapers in order to become more conversant with the conference and with the ever-changing discussion that takes place there. The newspaper reports of the conference hive been de scribed by Dr. Frank W. Ballou. su perintendent of schools, and other school authorities as remarkable and complete. The officials of the schools also have directed the attention of teachers and pupils to the concise sum mary of the conference developments printed daily in Th-? Star as valuable in studying the historical event. Eighty-eight cash prizes, aggregating $1,000, are in store for the winners of the contest. The prizes will be dis tributed widely over two separate classes into which the contest probably will be divided. There will be forty four prizes, amounting in all to $500. for each of the two probable classes. FIRM FOR SUBMARINE. Most Efficient for Small Nations, Says Swedish Official. By the Associated Pres.. STOCKHOLM, January 1.?"Sweden could not accept the banning of the submarine, which is the most efficient weapon of defense for small nations," said Capt. Gislke. chief of the sub marine department of the Swedish navy, today. "Sweden," Capt. Giaike continued, "will In the future base her naval de fense on submarines, torpedo boat destroyers and airplanes, as it is quite out of the question that Sweden will be able to build battleships or cruisers comparing- with those of the great powers. The total abolition of sub marines would render Sweden and other small nations defenseless. More over, even if the submarine was bann ed. there wo'uld be the secret building of submarine parts, which would be kept at various places, ready for as sembling in the nvent of an outbreak of war." FRENCH SOLDIERS FREED. Amnesty Granted to Those Under Lighter Sentences. PARIS, January 1.?All French sol diers under single court-martial con victions for purely military crimes committed during the war period were granted amnesty today by President Millerand as a measure of clemency at the opening of the new year. Exceptions were made in the case* of those convicted of treason, espion age, intelligence with, the enemy, de sertion in Franoe or abroad and em besslement of army funds by officers and non-commissioned officers. ROYALISTS IN HUNGARY , AGAIN REPORTED ACTIVE Release of Count A.ndrassy From Prison Declared to Spur on Charles' Supporters. By tlie AMwcinted Pre??. BUDAPEST, January 2.?Royalists who supported former Empertr Charles in his efforts to regain the Hungarian throne are reported again to be active, j especially since the release of Count Julius Andrassy from prison. been under detention since ^ of Charles- abortive attempt to set up once more the Hapsburg power in Hun | SaCount Anton Sigray, Deputy Raj""'" i sky and Gustave Gratz. former minister | of foreign affairs, were to be released todiy 0:1 bail of COO.uOO kronen Charges of mutiny must still be faced by the ( prisoners. Count Sigray is reported 'o have challenged Premier ^ount^Beth en for having stated at a club in thih 1 that Count Sigray had given his wo? after the first attempted restoration ol Charles that lie would not involve him self with any movement intended to place the former emperor 011 the throne hawmfi ii Serious Trouble Breaks Out; in Shanghai?Raiders Seek Out U. S. Sailors, j Ily the A?*nciated I'rt --. SHANGHAI. January 1.?Serious ; trouble between sailors from Italian and American warships here develop ed today when a hand of some two- j score. Italian sailors surprised and ? attacked about a dozen American Jackies in a cafe and then went from one cafe to another seeking out and attacking isolated groups of Ameri cans. Five Americans sustained knife wounds, two of them being seriously stabbed. . The attacks were the outgrowth ot a trifling brawl in a cafe, following which the Italians gathered the raid- ( ing party, which was armed with | knives and several revolvers. The I Americans arc declared to have been j unarmed. , . , All shore liberty from the warcratt has been suspended in consequence j of the trouble. Hughes Breakfast at Pan American Union Also Charm ing New Year Event. 1 Excluding the White House reception ! today, the premier activity on the so cial calendar, the members' of Pros ?dent Harding's official family are busy with "at homes" and receptions thai will last until nightfall. The Vice President and Mrs. Coolidge 1 will receive informally this afternoon I from 4 to 6. in thetr apariment at the New Willard Hotel. They will be un assisted. . The most, brilliant party of the cabi net circle today is the breakfast bcinr given bv the Secretary of State and Mr= Hughes at the Pan-American Union building, at which they are en talning several hundred guests, includ ing the delegates to the conference the members of the diplomatic corps the technical advisers to the confer ence and officials of the State Depart ment. , The Secretary of State and Mrs. I Hughes stood just inside the door of I the Hall of the Americas to receivi their ruo#?. who were the Vic* President and Mrs. Coolidge, the dele gates to the conference, members of the diplomatic corps, technical ad visors to the delegates to the*, con ference. and the officials of the State Department. The members of th< oorps and the delegates gathered in the Corridor of Flags at the head of I the stairs, to await the arr?al of their hosts from the White "House The corridor had no decoration bui the fla*s of the twenty-one countries forming the Pan-American" Union and palms and ferns. The breakfast was served in the Hall of th Vmerii-as from two long buffet tables with huge clusters of poinsettia blossoms. , The Secretary of War and Mrs. Weeks will be at home after 3:30 o'clock in their home at 1601 V street and will have receiving with them Mrs. Wainw right. w ife of the assist ant secretary of war, and Mrs. Jamef G Harbord. wife of the deputy chiet of the general staff. The Secretary of the Navy and Mrs. Denby will be at home from 4 to 6 in their home. 22-4 H street. Presiding at the tea table will be Mrs. Porter, w ife of Col. David D. Porter, marine aide to the secretary: Mrs. Charles Denby and Mrs. Walter S. Turpin. The Secretary of Agriculture and Mrs Wallace will also receive several hundred guests this afternoon when they keep open door in their apart ment at Wardman Park Hotel. Mrs. Wallace will have her three daugh ters, Mrs. Angus Macl^y, Miss Wal lace and Miss Ruth Wallace, a Goucher College student, assisting her, and with her, besides, will be Mrs. Paul Reinsch. Mrs. E.- A. Hel mick, Mrs. Mark Sullivan and Miss Annie Cummings. The Secretary of Commerce and Mrs. Hoover will be at home from 3 to 6 fn their home a<t 2300 S street, when they will be assisted by the chiefs of bureaus of the department and their wives and the special as sistants to the secretary and their I wives. THREE ESCAPE JAIL AS PRISONERS SING "NEARER, MY GOD, TO THEE" V - V Br <8e Associated Pnu. NASHVILLE, Tenn., January 2. ?While a preacher led inmates in singing "Nearer, My God, to Thee," three prisoners scaled the walls of the Davldspn county jaifhere this morning and made their escape The prisoners, one of whom was a negro, climbed an improvised rope made of blankets. Those who got away were H. T. Orr. Albany. Ala.; Herbert Cox, Nashville: Madison Cannon, a ne gro wconviot. All the prisoners were awaiting- trial on charges of d Haroeny. first floor at 11 o'clock, with prac tically every prisoner in his or her cell joining' in the hymns, the ne gro went to the fourth floor. He shouted: "Orr and Cox wanted on the rock." This ordinarily means that some guard has sent to the cells for the men to oome to the first floor to converse through the cagcd win dows with visitors. Thinking there was nothing wrong, a floor trusty unlocked the cell doors and allowed the men to come out. Instead, they stole to the north corridor Window, where the bar had been cut. and swung down the blanket ladder, evidently placed th?T* tar t** MOB* ;e IS BRILLIANT EVENT President and Mrs. Harding Greet Immense Crowd of New Year Visitors. WOMEN ARE ATTIRED IN CHARMING GOWNS Foreign Diplomats Add Color to Occasion?Guests Delighted by Cordiality. For tlie first time in fight years the W hite Mouse today is the scene of a great democratic spectacle. At precisely 11 o'clock President and Airs. Harding entered upon the renewal of the old-time New Year day reception, and it was indicated at noon today that popularity of this tradition of many years has lost none of its attractions. If the crowds gathered about the grounds and forming in line could be taken as a 1 criterion. . Practically every person expressed pleasure at the restoring of this New Vear custom, and It is the belief of those in charge that all records will have been broken for attendance when the reception is finally con cluded late this afternoon. Besides the general public, the President and Mrs. Harding received members of the cabinet, and their immediate families: members of the foreign diplomatic corps and a large number of delegates of foreign na tions attending the arms conference; the judiciary; the Army and Navy; high goveriunent officials; representa tives of patriotic organizations, he ides a large number of distinguished persons and intimate friends espe cially invited to the affair. The simple decorations were per sonally superintended by Mrs. Hard .ng this morning, carnations and pink roses being used in the green And red parlors, the roses forming a trellis on the sides of the mirrors over the mantels. The Vice President and Mrs. Coolidge and the members of the cabinet and their wives arrived oefore eleven and paid their respects to the Chief Executive and his wife on the second floor of the mansion. Preceded by the White House milf tary and naval aides, the President and Mrs. Harding, followed by the Vice President and Mrs. Coolidge and tile niemoers of the official family, -lescended the stairs and entered the Blue room where those Assisting Mrs. Harding awaited them. President and Mrs. Harding stood -t the entrance to the green room, the presentations being made by the ?'resident's two aides. Mrs. Harding ?vore a becoming costume of dark orown velvet, made with panels of oronze and gold sequins, back and front, and she wore no hat. President and Mr*. Harding Happy. As they walked through the corri lor leading to the blue room, to take their places for receiving, the Marine L>and orchestra, attired in picturesque iull-dress uniform, pia>ed "Hall to the Chief." following a bugle call. As fiey passed along the President and Mrs. Harding bowed and smiled to those persons already stationed -bout the corridor and doorways. It was evident that these two dis tinguished Americans were happy that they were entering upon what is ooked upon as one of ihe greatest -u-mocratic customs of the country. Hut in all, they could not help but ?ealize that their parts in this big .vent will be seemingly trying ppon ? hem both from a physical viewpoint -nasmuch as they expect to stand in line un.tU sometime after 4 o'clock .his afternoon, with only a short re cess for luncheon. Great Reception Begins. The President and Mrs. Harding were followed into the blue room by the mem bers of the cabinet, headed by Secretary <f btate HugHes and Mrs. Hughes. Be .lind the cabinet were Secretary Chris tian and the Army and Navy and ma rine officers of the President's staff of Aides. Almost immediately after the Presi dent and Mrs. Harding and the members if the cabinet and the ladies with them had taken their positions in the receiv ing line, the great procession started. First came the members of the dip lomatic corps, of which there were several hundred, many of whom had their wives and other members of their families with them. This part of the reception was one of the real ly picturesque features, inasmuch, with a few exceptions, the members of this group were attired in gayly and highly colored uniforms of their offices. V* German Envoy/ Present, An interesting feature of the diplo matic group was the presence of Carl Lang., the newly arrived German en voy to the L'niled States, and Edgar A. G. Prochnik. Austria's represent ative at the National Capital, the latter being accompanied by his wife. The diplomatic corps prior to its passing along the receiving line had assembled in the great and historic state dining room. With the diplomatic group was Dr. L. S. Howe, director general of the Pan-American t'nion. and other of ficers of that organization. Women V'harmlngly Attired. Assisting in the blue room were Mrs. Coolidge, who wore a simple made gown of black velvet, a black velvet hat with a black lace brim: Mrs. Hughes wore henna brocaded chiffon with a small black velvet hat with henna feathers; Miss Mellon wore a striking gown of black vel vet with a bertha of rose point lace, a medium sized black velvet hat and a collar of Russian sable; Mrs. Weeks ?was In dark brown crepe meteor and (Continued on Page 2. Column 4.) Today's News In Brief Funeral of Senator Penrose in Phila delphia to be private. Page 1 Settlement of naval program expected this week. Page 1 Alleged secret' pact between Japan and France will be placejl before conference. Pag* X Oldest Inhabitants exchange New Year greetings at President's recep tion. Page 2 German admlr&l scores French naval demands. ' Page S French expected to drop naval de mands. ? Page 3 Borah calls four-power treaty a mili tary alliance. Page S Ball at Rauschcr's for children's home to be important social event. Page S Secretary Davis recommends com pulsory registration of all aliens. Page 7 All Ireland absorbed in treaty* faU as dail prepares to r' ? 111 '