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GREAT FALLS DAILY TRIBUNE THIRTY-SECOND YEAR GREAT FALLS, MONTANA, SATURDAY MORNING, JULY 26,1919. PRICE, FIVE CENTS. CROATS START TO DESTROY ONE PEACE TABLE NATION Wilson Hints at New Shantung Deal Thru State Department BANKERS GIVE INDORSEMENT TO PLAN FOR DROUTH RELIEF AS PROPOSED BY THE TRIBUNE Proposal to Have Legislative En actment Authorizing Counties j to Issue Emergency Poor Fund Warrants Meets Approval ofi Financiers and Merchants. _ ! The plan of relief for needy farmers in the drouth strick on areas of Montana, as advanced in Friday's Tribune, has met with serious consideration by bankers and merchants, many of whom j have not hesitated to express the belief that it is the most work-1 able and feasible proposition thus far proposed. Briefly, the plan is to secure at the special session of the assembly next week ; legislative enactment which will permit the various counties to issue warrants at six per cent, the money to be placed in the coun ty poor funds and administered by the boards of county commis sioners and the faith and credit of the state to be placed behind the warrants to insure their payment. — , i the people there: would be ( 10 1 »"ted . tales and the allies for economic assistance 1 his is , being extended and additional supplies : TO PROTECT Hi Also Aims to Assure Relief in Food; to Stay Long as Needed. Washington. July 25 —President Wil son informed the senate, today, in re sponse to a resolution by Senator John son. republican, California, that the pres ence of American troops in Siberia was a "vital element" in the restoration and maintenance of traffic on the Siberian railroad and, under the agreement with Japan, they could be withdrawn only when the American railway experts op perating the road were withdrawn. The president said Siberia could be protected from a further period of chaos and anarchy only by keeping the railroad open and that, lacking essen tials of life, f looking to th are to be sent forward Roving Bands Menace Road. Roving bands having no connection with any organized government in Rus sia are menacing the railroad, the pres ident said, and, consquently, its pro tection by the military is necessary. American troops, he said, now are en gaged in guard duty at Vladivostok and around Verchne Ldinfk. A small body also is at Harbin. The original purposes of the Ameri can military expedition, Mr. Wilson wrote, were twofold: The saving of the Czecho -Slovak forces, and the steadying of the efforts of the Russians at self defense, or the establishment of law and order, in which they might be willing to accept assistance. Major General Graves, commanding the expedition of S,0(H) men, was speci fically directed not to interfere in Rus sian affairs, the president said, but to support, wherever necessary, John II. Stevens, American railway engineer, who is carrying out the work of rehabil itating the Siberian railroad under the direction of the inter-allied committee. eight-hour day crux of electric railway distress, says expert Washington, July 25. The American Electric Railway association, today, com pleted the evidence it desired to present to the federal Electric Railways com mission appointed by President Wilson to investigate the financial stress of whicli complies thruout the country are complaining. More than 50 witnesses were heard, including operating officials, receivers for bankruptcy boards, bankers, econo mists and manufacturers, virtually all of whom agreed that the increased cost of labor and maintenance had put the electric lines in an embarrassing posi tion under their present restrictive fran chises, prescribing a five-cent fare. Many differences of opinion arose, how ever, as to the liest, metnod of meeting the situation, some urging increased fares, others relief from taxation and a few municipal ownership. The commission adjourned until Aug ust 4, w.hen mayors, public officials in terested in local transx'oitatiou and In answer to an inquiry from Great Falls officials of the American Society of Equity an opinion favoring the legal ity of the use of emergency poor fund warrants, as proposed in The Tribune, was rendered unofficially by Attorney General S. C. Ford, Officials of the Equity society called up Mr. Ford and requested an opinion yesterday afternoon. In stating bis be lief that the special legislature could iegally take such a step Mr. I ord said to the Equity leaders that money for the state's increase of the warrants would probably come from the funds of the state land office. , Mr. Ford later informed The Tribune s Helena correspondent that he wished to investigate the legal aspects of the plan before making an official statement in regard to it. . Indications are that the Equity offi cials will accept the proposed plani as one means of providing relief and that they will urge its adoption by the law makers at the session which will con vene in Helena Tuesday. Plan for Funds Good. President Sam Stephenson of the j First National Bank of Great Falls, indorsing The Tribune's plan, said: "I should say that the first thing the C3unty commissioners should determine is just how far they expect to go in assisting the people who have suffered f-cui the drouth. A large percentage of the sufferers are able bodied men who can earn a living if furnished work. With j reference to these cases it should be j the business of the county coni.'msioners, | in so far as they can. to find work in road j building and other public work. TV.e wj] , un4oubtc dly be real cases of cKritv countv and other cnantable i tions nl „ 8 t C00 p e rate and care for all = cases deserving cases. "For the purpose of providing funds in either case I think trie scheme out lined by The Tribune, insofar as it does not conflict with the constitutional pro cesses of the state, is good. I feel it should be the policy of the state of Mon tana to sell securities which it already owns and to use the money for the pur chase of municipal and county warrants and thus encourage public improvements in the state of Montana at this time." Praisod by Yaeger. Vice President Harry Yaeger of the | Great Falls National bank, declaring the i plan advanced by The Tribune an excel- j lent one, feasible and insuring prompt i action, said: "The scheme advocated by The Tri- j bune is feasible and by its adoption : prompt netiou may be taken, obviating j delays and technicalities in bond issues, j Each county would judge of its own i necessities and requirements. There j would not be the scramble for funds j which would undoubtedly follow state or j (Continued on Page Two? labor union representatives will be heard. l)r. Thornis Conway. Jr., of the I'ni versity of Pennsylvania, occupied much of today's session discussing labor costs, which he said were bound to go higher. "The electric railways are face-to face with a w ;rld-wide demand for an eight hour d.iy," Dr. Conway said. "The grant ing of this demand would mean a very material increase in operating costs." W. E. Creed of San Francisco, the fiist witness from the Pacific coast, de c 1ared that, because of high operating costs the lines in San Francisco district had lost interest in competition. "We are losing money on every pas songer we carry," he said, "and the fewer passengers we carry the less money we will lose." "What can this commission do?" he was asked. "Well, since you have no rate-fixing authority, I think the best thing is to tell the truth to the public and educate it to tho real situation in the electric railway industry." ! ! i FAMOUS ITALIAN PRINCESS JOINS RANKS OF EUROPEAN NOBILITY COMING TO U. S. S3 £3 i M* % Cr~r* A L, Princess Sonia Alliata Di Villafranca. The Princess Sonia Alliata Pi Villafranca has been visiring in England and plans to sail for the I'. S. shortly. She is a member of the famous family of Villafranca at Palermo and is a prominent figure in Italian society. Republicans Will Delay Peace Treaty by Taking Up Canal Pact With Colombia Washington, July 25.—Under present plans of republican leaders, the peace treaty will be set aside temporarily for consideration of the treaty between the United States and Colombia, proposing payment to the latter of $25,000,000 for damages arising from American acquisition of the Panama canal. Chairman Lodge, of the senate foreign restions commit tee, said today the Colombian treaty would be taken up by the committee next week, with plans for its immediate ratification by the senate. Action on the treaty has been urged by state department officials. It was understood that an agreement had been reached by which the committee would eliminate the clause of the treaty suggesting regrets to Colombia for partition of Panama. Republicans have held up ratification of the treaty for sev eral years because of this clause and some time ago the amount of the damages to be paid Colombia was reduced to $15,000,000 but in consideration of the elimination of the re gret clause the original sum of $25,000,000 was restored. Chairman Lodge hopes to obtain ratification of the treaty bv the senate next week. ! i j : j j i j j j II. S. ARMY ARRESTS TO BEIT tUCTlS Bribed Others Not to Bid and Thus Bought Salvaged Ma terial Cheap. j Coblenz. July 25.— t By The Associat ed Press)—Sixty Germans from Cologne, j Rerliu and other cities were arrested ! here, Tuesday, by army intelligence of ficers in connection with an alleged plot t.» defraud the government of millions (of marks by eliminating competition at ! auctions of army supplies. Intelligence officers said the alleged ! fraud was accomplished thru au organi i zation, most of whose members now are 'under arrest, that kept competitors from bidding at mictions where salvaged army material was sold. American soldiers in plain clothes sent into the crowds at auction sales, accord ing to the officers, repeatedly were of fered large sums of money not to bid against members of the organization. Material sohl to members of the or ganization, wherever possible, will not be delivered. ' I LLOYD GEORGE URGES EXTENSION OF ENGLISH TRADE POLICY TILL FALL London, July 25.—It is impossible at present to give legislative effect to the government's trade policy, Premier Lloyd tieorge said today. He suggested that thé ttade restrictions expiring in Sep temWr should therefore be extended. \ I ! j I I I I I I I ; WITH FOOD AT COST War Coal Yard Likely to Be Ex-1 panded during Winter to Af ford Fuel Relief. Denver, July 25.—Denver will have! I a municipal food, meat and fuel market ! und, perhaps, a number of such markets, j to cut the cost of living. The city ad I ministration will begin an immediate in I vestigation to determine the foasibilty I of the plan. The first step will bo to purchase from I the war department several carloads of I canned goods, to be offered at cost, it I was announced. Any enterprise in which the citv will engage along this line will be copied after Seattle 's municipal fish market plan, it was said. Denver inaugurated a municipal coal I yard during the war. This enterprise ; will be enlarged next winter, if con dirions warrant, and coal retailed at cost. Major Bailey said. CREDIT CORPORATIONS TO AID AMERICANS IN FOREIGN TRADE FAVORED. Washington. July n>.- —-nble re por t was made, today, by Cuairiu -d j I c Leun. of the senate banking committee, on the bill by Senator Edge, New Jer sey, providing for the organization of American corporations to extend credit abroad and finance American trade in foreign countries. f 12.50 LEAST WAGE WOMAN CAN EXIST UPON, IS RULING Boston» July 23.— Establishing $12.50 as the minimum weekly wage for women workers In candy factor ies, the Massachusetts minimum wage commission today announced that this amount had been agreed upon as the least on which a self-supporting woman could meet the cost of living and maintain herself In health. The apportionment of the $12.50 wage was shown In an itemized bud get, which allowed $7 weekly for board and lodging, $2.25 for clothing, 30 cents for recreation and 15c for "self-Improvement" Other items in the budget were: Laundry, 50 cents; car fares, 76 cents; doctor and dentist, 30 cents: church, II cents; newspapers and magazines, 18 cents; vacation, 40 cents; savings and insurance, 30 cents; Incidentals, 25 cents. PRESIDENT PLEDGES TO CONSIDER FIVE PACT RESERVATIONS Shantung Solution Sought by Proposing Japan Make Declaration That Will Induce China to Sign Paris Treaty. j Washington. July 25.— Diplomatic negotiations with Japan over the Sban tung provision in the peace treaty have reached a stage where President \\ ilson is represented as very nopeful of de velopments within a few days that will clear the air and remove much of the senate opposition. ''"his interpretation of the president's expectations was expressed by Senator Spencer, Missouri, after a long talk with Mr. Wilson, today. The senator de clined to go into details, and both the White House and the State department were silent on the subject. There were indications that the conversations with Japan, tho quite informal in character, had as their object such a declaration from Tokio es would satisfy China and resuit in her acceptance of the treaty. Senator Spencer als" discussed with the president the subject of reservation in senate ratification of the treaty, tak ing with him a draft of five reservations drawn up and submitted to the presi dent. it is understood, at the suggestion of Chairman I>odge, of the foreign re lations committee. The draft also is said to have been shown to other re publicans. but Mr. Spencer ma<le it clear that be alone stood sponsor for their phraseology. Would Undo Shantung Deal. President Wilson promised to give earnest consideration to the five pro posed reservations to the peace treaty and league of nations covenant which were presented to him by Senator. Spencer. The senator told the president the reservations would have to be agreed upon if the treaty was to be ratified by the senate. Regarding Shantung, Senator Spencer would not say on what assurances the president based his hope of important developments in the near future. It is understood, however, that a full account of tho feeling which arose here against the Shantung provision has gone forward to Tokio as a result of a conference, yesterday, between the Japanese charge d'affaires and Secretary Lansing. There were indications that no reply to these representations had been received to night. China Signing is Test. The president has been told by repub lican senators that most of the senate I OF Will BK Negotiations in Form of Credits Have Not Passed Initial Stage. Berlin, July 25.—(By The Associated Press). Negotiations of the Deutsche bank with the New York financial insti tutions for a large loan are proceeding favorably, according to information in official quarters. New York, July 25.—A canvass of in ternational banking houses here, today, failed to elicit any information criticiz ing reports that a German loan is in process of negotiation here. It is understood that German bankers are endeavoring to place a large credit, amountiug perhaps to $100,000.000, with this country, but so far as is known the negotiations have not passed the initial stage. Army Sells 13,000 Ounces of Platinum New York, July 25.—Thirteen thou sand ounces of platinum have been sold by the ordinance department of the army, it wa|announced here today. The min eral »bid at $105 an ounce. j, 1 «p ^ at S1U5 an Ounce VIOLENT REVOLT TEARS JUGO SLAVS; 30 KILLED IN CLASH Republic Demanded by Troops as Marburg Garri son Rises; Serbians, From Whom Other Races Desire to Separate, Fight Rebellion. Gratz, Styria, July 25, Via, Basle.—Violent combats occurred Tuesday evening at Marburg, 36 miles southeast of Gratz, where a large part of the garrison revolted, as a result of dissatisfaction over demobilization. Thirty persons were killed and many wounded. The movement started at socialist meeting where speakers opposition to this provision will dis appear if he is able to induce Japan to give such assurances for future return i of Shantung to China as would result in the latter signing the treaty. It is be lieved that view has been reflected in the communications with Tokio and that the suggestion has been made that this end could be accomplished by a formal (.Continued on Page Two). T TILL AFTER TRIP Will Make Explanatory Address to Senate in Submitting Pact. Washington, July 25.—President Wil son does not now plan to present the .defensive treaty with France to the sen ate until after he returns from his tour of the country. This statement was made at the White House. When the president presents the treaty he will accompany it with an ex planatory address to the senate. No statement whs made at the White House with regard to charges in the senate yesterday that the president violated a section of the treaty by not presenting it simultaneously with the reay of Versailles. Indications were that the president would start on his westward trip about August 10, altho it was made clear this was tentative and that the exact date would depend upon developments during the next fortnight. The president paid an unexpected call on Secretary Raker in the state, war nnd navy building just before noon. .He did not communicate his intention to White House attaches and crossed the street from the White House unattended. After conferring half an hour with Mr. Raker, the preseident called on Sec retary Lansing, remaining about ten minutes. He then returned to the White House. There was no intimation as to what matters he had discussed with the secretaries. army's food surplus becomes party issue in war investigation j- oot | stocks was uenieu. 'i ne demo j members had announced they w(m ],| attempt to disprove statements Washington, July 25.—Plans of demo cratic members of the house war inves tigating committee to attempt impeach ment. of the majority committee report censoring the war department for de laying sale of surplus foodstuffs and asking adoption of a policy of immediate distribution were blocked, today, by re publican committeemen. ity a strict, party vote, the democratic request for a reopening of hearings on the food stocks was denied. The d' contained in the report. Simultaneous with their failure and the direction, by the republican members, that a rule be asked for immediate house consideration of the resolution calling for a policy of sale at ouce to the consuming public, the democrats ! decided to submit a minority report, challenging the statements of the re publicans. Democrats Call Baker In. Because of prospective argument of democrats that a change in policy of sale would result in the foodstuffs .Jailing into the bands of speculator«. advocated the formation of a republic of Jugo-SIavia. Slovenian and Croation soldiers, who were present in considera ble numbers exclaiming, "Let us separ ate from Serbia." RUMORS ALSO DENIED. Paris, July 25.—Rumors of mutiny and other troubles in Jugo-Slavia were (denied officially at Laibach 'in Jugo slavia i according to a dispatch receiv ed, today, from Laibach via. Vienna and Basle. The dispatch said that it was stated officially that order and tranquil ity prevailed thruout the country. A dispatch from Agram announced that Croation troops have proclaimed an independent Croation republic. At sev eral points the Croations are fraternis ing with Hungarian soldiers, the dis patch said. Troops are leaving their units, offi j • f < * rs a . nt ^ suoa^terns and tearing off^their ' " state of insignia and the army is in dissolution, the advices say. The Agram advices do not record any disorder in that city, the Croation capi tal. They state, however, that the in dependent Cro.uiou republic, according to information reaching Agram. has been proclaimed by soldiers in several of the Croation town*. Situation at Worst and Men and Rain Alike Fail Fighters. Missoula, July 25.—Soldiers may be called to fight fires In District No. I, of the forest service, ac cording to reports given out, to night, at headquarters here. The situation has become alarming, and it Is getting difficult to obtain men. Governor Stewart, It Is said, has been advised of the situation and has taken under consideration tho matter of holding soldiers in readi ness for the oall of tho forestry of flclals. The forest fire situation in distrfrt No. 3 of the forest service was regarded, today, by officials at the headquarters as tjie worst it has been at any time during the present season. The crews that are now attempting to control the flames in the extremely dry forests of Montana and northern Idaho are ruak ing little progress and officials here have almost given up hopes of gettiu? nny more men into the forests. Rain, they say, is the only hope. Livestock Threatend. One of the most serious fires in the national forests of the district at the present time is the blaze on Swartz creek, in the Missoula reserve. It is spreading over much territory. It is es pecially bad on the Gilbert side and (Continued on F*|> Two) the republican committeemen today amended their resolution to request the ales to be made directly to the consum ers. Final committee action today, follow ed a long executive session at which the democratic members, in asking th<! re-opening of hearings, submitted a list of additional witnesses, including Secre tary Baker, and other war department officials. Voted down, the democrats de cided to include statements of the sug gested witnesses in their minority report. Conferences had previously been held by the democratic members headed by Representative l'lood, Virginia, with sev eral war department officials, including Secretary Baker, who denied it was his policy to «ithhold the foodstuffs from the democratic market and tf> protect the interests which those products had been purchased." Plan to Extend Fight. C hairman Graham, after the coa mI t tee meeting, asserted that such :i policy existed nnd subsequent reports on other subjects would be made by tn? couiuiittee to prove the policy s appli cation to various commodities as well (Continued on Page Two).