The Birmingham age-herald. [volume], February 16, 1913, Image 1

About The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950

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THE BIRMINGHAM AGE-HERALD_
VOLUME XXXXII O BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1G, 1913 54 PAGES (jIN SEX PARTS) NUMBER 286
MADERO EMPHATICALLY REFUSES TO RESIGN THE PRESIDENCY;
DEFIES SENATE AND IGNORES THE COUNSEL OF DE LA BARRA
“I Was Elected By the Peo
ple,” He Declares, “I Am
the Constituted President.
I Will Not Resign”
THE SENATE DISCUSSES
MEANS OF FORCING THE
PRESIDENT’S RESIGNATION
Savage Fighting Continues on Streets
of Mexico City—Ambassador Wil
son Has a Narrow Escape
Senate May Issue Manifesto Today—Imminent Danger of In
tervention By United States Matter of Deep Consideration
By Mexican Statesmen—Madero Cannot Be Legally
Taken From Office According to Mexican Laws.
Situation in Mexican Capital as Remarkable
as Terrifying
Mexico City, February 15.—While the federal guns pound
ed the Diaz fortification in the arsenal and the rebels sent
back shell for shell, the senate sat and discussed the ousting of
Madero from the presidency.
Confident of ultimately defeating Diaz, Madero defied the
senate and ignored the counsel of Francisco De La Barra aud
other friends.
He absolutely refused to resign, but did not take the trouble
to make known his decision personally to the senate.
The fighting in the streets was as
savage as on any other day of the
week’s battle.
The American embassy again came
directly within the line of fire and
the American ambassador, Henry
Lane Wilson, had a narrow escape
from a richochetting rifle bullet which
whistled close to his head within the
embassy. Shortly before 5 o’clock
the German legation was struck by a
kJshelf: There were numerous casual
Ifities among noncombatants.
■ A strange fatality seems to have
■ followed R, M. Meredith of Leroy,
I O. He was slightly wounded two
• days ago while passing through the
streets. Today a shell crashed into
Porter’s hotel and killed him. Sidney
Sutherland, correspondent of a Salt
Lake City newspaper, but a resident
of the Mexican capital, was killed by
the same explosion.
Situation Remarkable
The situation in the capital apart
from its terrifying aspect is a re
markable one. Friends of President
Madero fully expected his resignation
but as the day wore along he became
fixed in his determination to retain
his position. To the Spanish minis
ter, Senor Cologan y Cologan, he said:
"I will not resign. 1 was elected
by the people. I am the constituted
"President. X will die before I sur
render."
Amid all the confusion* end alarms
ensuing at 5 o’clock the Mexican gov
ernment applied the censorship to ail
dispatches and cablegrams. This will
necessarily Increase tht difficulties of
Informing the outside world of the
operations within the Mexican capital
and will effectually suppress incom
ing dispatches regarding conditions In
ether parts of the republic. During
the night messengers went about the
city locating senators and asking them
to attend a special session to discuss
tho score of questions and attempt a
solution of what Is recognized by al
most all Mexicans as critical.
Meeting in Palace
More than a quorum of senators were
present at the meeting which took
place in the chamber of deputies in
stead of the senate chamber at the na
• tional palace. Tho discussion lasted a
long time and a great crowd surround
ed the structure. The scene was al
most identical with that when congress
met to consider the advisability of
bringing about the resignation of Por
flrio Diaz. In a material respect It
differed. There was no mounted police
er soldiers drawn across the streets
’"’and" it was only after a considerable
time that a detachment of ruralos,
spared from the fighting line, appeared
and dispersed the curious. This re
quired little effort. Overawed already
by incidents of the week, the hun
dreds moved quickly away from the
building: behind the closed doors of
which the senators were frankly ad
mitting: the imminent danger of inter
vention if the conflict in the capital
were continued.
A resolution was adopted providing j
that a committee of the whole wait |
upon the President at the palace. Twen
ty senators proceeded there, includ
ing the president of the senate. They |
wre informed that Madero was not In, ,
and It was intimated that he was on j
the firing line with General Huerta.
Only a few minutes before, however,
Madero had been In conference with
the Spanish minister, to whom he made
his declaration of defiance to the
rebels,
Mexican attorney's say the senate has
no power to force the President to re
sign. Joint action of the two houses
practically Is impossible because* there
probably are not enough deputies in the
city to make a quorum. It is also con
sidered questionable whether any ac
tion of the Senate would be valid In
view of the proclamation of martial
law.
It Is expected that the Senate’s mani
festo will be issued before tomorrow aft
ernoon. The imminent, danger of inter
vention Is referred to, and the people are
urged to exercise their patriotism to the
fullest extent in order to avoid such ac
, tion. The news of the Senate’s inten
tion sand the failure of Madero to receive
the committee was given to the public
by Senator Sebastian Camaehe. a rich
and aged Oastillian of the old regime,
who stood on a street corner and told the
people what had been done. He described
the preparations made by the 'United
States for Hie protection of Americans
and other foreigners. In view of which
the Senate had decided to depend on the
patriatism of the people.
While the big guns of both the federals
and rebels were in action and a shot
occasionally reached the chamber of depu
Ues and the Senate, the latter body, In
executive session, wrestled this morning
with the problem of restoring peace.
Francisco De Da Barra, former pro
visional president, who is a member of the
senate, is said to have told the senators
during their secret session some exceed
ingly plain truths.
Felix Diaz, on the rebel side, and Gen
eral Huerta, in command of the federal
troops, proceeded as though no interests
other than military ones were concerned.
The government forces placed a battery'
within two blocks of the American em
bassy, but it did not go into action as
Ambassador Wilson persuaded the com
mander to withhold his fire until he could
communicate with General Huerta and.
attempt to dissuade him. Its fire un
doubtedly w?ould draw a reply from the
rebels which W'ould endanger not only
the embassy, but numbers of American
citizens residing In the district.
Result Indecisive -
The result of the morning's fighting was
indecisive. Only one foreigner, so far as
is known, was injured.
Ambassador Wilson and Pedro Lascu
rain, the Mexican foreign minister, were
in conference for several hours during
the night. Their efforts to arrange an
armistice were vain, however. Diaz, the
rebel leader, refused absolutely to hear
of peace until President Madero and his
cabinet had resigned.
Diaz’s firmness in this respect was in
dicated by the activity of his gunners,
who continued the bombardment at in
tervals during the night. After dawn
(Coatftnued on Pas# Tea)
BURNETT WILL LEAD FIGHT
TO OVERRIDE TAFT'S VETO
I By C. E. STEWART
Washington. February 15.—(Special.)—
Representative Burnett Is very much dis
appointed that the President saw tit to
veto the immigration bill. Mr. Bt **
believes that he will be able to pas
measure both in the House and S
Over the President's veto, and wll
mediately take steps to that end.
a vetoed measure, it is of privilege*
ture, and he proposes to light the issi
during the present session.
. In the event the measure fails of
fie, $lr. Burnett says that it Is his t
log to remain aa chairman of the 1 .<*
1/1
g ration committee, and to stick to that
job until an immigration law suitable to
present conditions is enacted. It has
been Mr. Burnett's intention to resign the
''airmanship of the Immigration com
• and take the chairmanship of
nmlttee on public buildings and
3, of which he Is now the ranking
r, and serve In the ranks on the ;
ation committee. If thp Immigration
. 1 become a law. The veto of the
>• alter his plans, and will, if he is
utuful In passing it over the veto
i President. ./
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Austria-Hungary and Rus
sia Widely Disagree
Over Boundary of
Albania
London. February 15.—Danger of a rup
ture among the great European powers
over the Balkan Imbroglio lias not yet
passed. No progress is being made by the
ambassadors at their conferences toward
reconciling the widely divergent views of
Austria-Hungary and Russia regarding
the boundary of Albania. Present indica
tions seem to point to an early abandon
ment of tho ambassadorial attempt to
bring the two powers onto the same plat
form.
‘ Difficult and serious” is the descrip
tion of the situation given In diplomatic
Quartern in London today.
Montenegro has further inflamed mat
ters by making another appeal for Rus
sian support. This latest appeal closes
with the words "Scutari or death." Aus
tria-Hungary continues resolutely to re
fuse to consider the severance of Scutari
from Albania.
No date nas been set for the next meet
ing of the ambassadors, as no immediate
means of dissaving the deadlock Is ap
parent.
West Virginia Governor
Wants a Thorough
Investigation
Charleston, \V. Va.. February' 13.—The
special grand Jury Investigating charges
of alleged bribery In the United Stales
senatorial campaign did not finish its
work today anil adjourned until Monday.
About BO legislators and a dozen other
citizens have appeared before the grand
Jury. No indictments other than the six
on Friday have been returned.
What was declared to be an effort to
block further investigation of the alleged
bribery charges was made in the senate
today, when Senator Silver, democrat. In
troduced a bill to abolish the Intermediate
court of Kanawha county, now engaged
in the Investigation. This alleged at
tempt failed, for the bill was tabled.
Governor-elect H. I). Hatfield tonight de
clared there would b<f thorough investiga
tion of the bribery charges.* In part he
said: .
•‘This investigation will go to tn** very
bottom. There will be no immunity bath
for anybody concerned.”
Mother Found Dead;
Children Frozen
Stlgler, Okla.. February 15.—"We are ao
cold and mamma Is asleep, and we can’t
wake her up,” said a small child at
he home of Mrs. Sarah Kendrick here
yesterday, when neighbors entered and
asked why she and her little sister were
crying.
The neighbors found Mrs. Kendrick
dead on the floor.
She had been beaten to death with a
hatchet. It is believed the woptan had |
been dead since Sunday and her two I
small children were nearly starved and I
frozen.
CASTRO IS FREE TO
COME AND GO IN
COUNMAT WILL
Judge Ward Sustains Writ
of Habeas Corpus in
His Behalf
GOVERNMENT MAY
APPEAL DECISION
Judge Points Out Eight of Venezu
elan to Enter Country Under the
Present Laws—Errors in the
Government’s Attitude
New York. February 15.—Clpriano Cas
tro Is free to come ami go In this country
at will. Judge Ward, in the federal dis
trict court, tills afternoon sustained the
writ of habeas corpus In his behalf, over
ruling the immigration authorities.
Castro has been out on bail for some
time, pending a decision in the case. The
government bitterly opposed the entrance
of the former Venezuelan president, ow
ing to the fact that he was an undesir
able citizen and the murderer of General
Paradez. a political opponent.
The special board of inquiry at Kills
island first refused him admittance, a
decision which was affirmed by the de-'
partment of commerce and labor. General
Castro then carried hia case into the
courts.
When Secretary Nagel was told of
Judge Ward's decision, he said the gov
ernment was not considering arresting
Castro at this time, but that irr all prob
(Coatlaued oa Page Nlae.)
TODAY’S AGE-HERALD
1— Madero refuses to resign presidency.
Danger of rupture In ranks of Euro
pean powers.
Castro free to come and go.
May acquire new postoffice site.
Farewell dinner to Cannon.
Hands off Mexico is cabinet's decision.
2— Blackmon explains Webb bill.
3— Plan memorial to Anniston minister.
♦—Judge Lane favors Sunday movies.
5— Brooke tart in reply to union.
Coke ovens to be moved.
Owl cars are well patronized.
6— Mrs. Jacobs answers Heflin On suf
frage issue.
7— Exehanbe is disturbed.
8— Fat Jobs for democrats.
Business hien enthusiastic at Young
Women’s Christian association lunch.
10— Memorial for late vice president In |
Senate.
11— Inaguration to he hog killing time at!
Washington hotels.
13— Klaw chats on Vienna trip.
14- 1."- Sports.
JO—King of Italy lias right to vote.
20— Regonal hank system solves reform
problem.
21— The south's most daring soldjer.
22— Contrast of the old and the hew on
Birmingham streets.
23— Civic league of West End meets.
24— An impression of Madero and Reyes.
26— Society. N
27— Love affairs of Prince of Wales.
28— 28— Ned Brace and editorial comment.
30— Church news.
31— Dolly’s dialogues.
The book shelf.
32— Picturesque Autauga hamlet.
33— Yarns of the courthouse gang.
34— Richmond attracts Americans in Eng
land.
26—Theatres.
37—Prepare for home rule.
3s;—Automobile gossip.
30— London society gossip.
40— Last trip of the Mulga Queen.
41— Markets.
42— Expected present war with Balkans.
43— 50—Magazine section.
80-04—Comic supplement.
MAY ACQUIRE NEW
SITE FOR PROPOSED
NEW POSTOFFICE
Public Building Bill Allows
Secretary Option in Se
lecting New Site or Ad
ditional Ground
■
Washington, February 35.—(Special.)—
The Item In the public building and
grounds bill v/ltlch "'as reported to the
House today, relating to the Birmingham
pob toff ice, says In substance:
“The Secretary of the Treasury i? au
thorised and directed to acquire by pur
chase, condemnation or otherwise, a site,
or additional ground adjoining the site al
ready acquired, and to contract for the
erection and completion thereon a suitable
building, for the use of the United States
postoffice, courts, and other governmen
tal office.. The cost of said building anti
bite, 01 addition to site not to exceed
$1,000,000. provided, that if the Secretary
of the Treasury should decide to acquire
a new site he may sell the site already
acquired at an upset price of not Its
than 1200,000. at such time and upon such
terms as he may deem to be to the best
Interests of the United States and de
posit the proceeds in the treasury as a
miscellaneous receipt.”
Plan Protects Government
Chairman Burnett today said that it
was the purpose of this provision to
protect the government from exorbi
tant or speculative demands from the
owners oi tho additional site required
by giving the .Secretary of the Treas
ury the power to sell the site already
acquired and purchase one for the
building elsewhere. It was the purpose
of the appropriation to leave at least
$800,OUO for the building and this pro
vision put« a club in the hands of the
secretary to beat down anything that
looked like an unreasonable demand
for the additional ground wanted.
Nothing was said In the bill about
the disposition of the present building
and site. Mr. Burnett said that It
would be several years before the new
building could pjsslbly be erected, and
that there would be plenty of time to
act In regard to the old property. It
•might be at the time of the completion
of the new building that the govern
ment would have use for the old for
courts or some other purpose and if
not It could then be disposed of. Other
items in the bill are:
For postoffice at Mobile, $75,000.
Gadsden, $8000.
Opejlka, $50,000.
Jasper, $100,000.
Decatur. $65,000.
Andalusia $50,000.
Lanett, $50,000.
For sites at Union Springs, $5000';
Albertville, $5000; Attulla, $5000;
Greenville. $5000; Sylacaugu, $5000.
BIRMINGHAM 10 GET
BRANCH raSTOFFICE
Office Will Be Installed at
Boyles—Postmistress
Named
Washington, February 16.—(Special.)—
Senator Johnston today received a letter
from the Assistant Postmaster General
announcing tnat the department would
establish a branch of the Birmingham of
fice at Boyles in Daly's drug store, ef
fective March 16, and that Mrs. Marie
pierce would Ire In charge.
Senator Johnston has had this matter
up with the deportment for some time,
und Is gratified at the successful result
of his efforts.
CAPITAL OFFICIALS
MAKE MERRY OVER
FAREWELL DINNER
TO JOSEPH CANNON
Country’s Foremost States
men Present at Banquet
in Honor of Retirement
of Former Speaker
EVENING RIFE WITH
CLEVER SKITS AND
MANY TRIBUTES
Dinner One of Most Notable Events
Ever Given in Washington—News
paper Men Add to Merri
ment—Oscar Underwood
Among the Speakers
Washington, February Ju.—President
Taft, cabinet officials. Chief Justice
White, members of both houses of Con
gress, past, present and prospective,
and a host of other political and per
sonal friends of Representative Joseph
G. Cannon of Illinois, former speaker
of the House, featured the programme
and guest list of tlie- farewell dinner
to him tonight.
Plans had been made for approxi
mately 500 guests, it was a feast of
fun and a tribute of affection. The
progH mine abounded with novel fea
tures! \errily announced by the toast
master. Representative J. Hampton
Moore of Pennsylvania. The dinner was
the culmination of plans laid many
weeks ago to make it. one of the most
notable banquets ever given in Wash
ington.
The scheduled speakers included the
President, Chief Justice White, Speak
er Clark, Representative Underwood
of Alabama, the democratic leader of
the House; Secretary Nagel, Postmast
er General Hitchcock Senators Roof
of New York. Williams of Mississippi.
Penrose of Pennsylvania, Representa
tives McCall of Massachusetts. McKin
ley of Illinois, Former Secretary of the
Navy Hilary A. Herbert, former Rep
resentative Tawney of Minnesota and
Grosvenor of Ohio, Senator-elect James
and the former speaker.
Tribute to “Uncle Joe"
When the guests assembled they
' found at each plate a souvenir pro
gramme with ft poetical tribute un
signed but written by Representative
Moore.
It read:
. "The storms may come, the winds
may blow, the saplings and the pines
may fall: but tempered to the sun
and tho snow, the sturdy oak survives
them all. And so in legislative halls,
where men and measures come and
go 'on' tame's enduring record calls,
the honor rests with Uncle Joe.’’
On the reverse beneath tho curling
smoke of a pictured cigar ran this
quantratn:
"You may break, you may shatter the
rules If you will; but the Cannon aroma
will hang to them still.”
A skit burlesquing members of the
llcmse from the viewpoint of the press
gallery was contributed by the newspaper
men at the cupltol who attended almost
in a body. In this stunt a cub reporter
asked a variety of questions regarding the
pcrscnalltles of statesman and near
HicKsmen, and the replies lie received
finm the six correspondents who Joined
with him In the caKt were "hits' 'on the
whims and Ideas of various public men.
"Who’s that fellow down there that
looks like Alexander Hamilton?" asked
the cub.
"That's Jeff Levy, lie Just hocked his
isnoro overcoat to Martin Littleton to lift
the mortgage ori Monticello," was the re
ply.
And so tiie skit proceeded with E. C.
Snyder In the role of reporter and E. H.
Clark, R. H. Patchln, George Miller, Os
wald F. Behuette, Gus J. Kargor and
Theodore Tiller as the correspondents.
Other Features
Other features of the banquet pro
grnmme were moving pictures of "the
seven ages of Cannon.’ presented by
Henry L. West, a former reporter mid
for some years a District of Columbia
commissioner; lightning cartoon exposi
tions by Clifford K. Berryman of Wash
ington. and c. B. McCauley of New York;
a parody, "When the Chu Chu Leaves
fur Illinois," by H. C. Btevens, a news
paper correspondent; presentation of a
bust of Mr. Cannon us the gift to him or
colleagues In the House with Representa
tive Bartholdt of Missouri as their spokes
man; songs by the Gridiron Club quartet
nnd “the watermllllon song," by MnJ. A.
J. Stofer.
Mr. Cannon’s speech In acknowledge
ment of the farewell tribute was reserved
until almost midnight.
MONTGOMERY BOOKS
WILL BE EXAMINED
Montgomery. February 15.—(Special.) —
Examiner of Public Account* Frank V.
Evans will begin next week an examina
tion of the books, account* ami vouchers
of officials of Montgomery county. Mr.
Evans has just completed an examination
of the books of the auditor's and treas
urer's departments, and he will probably
he engaged for a week or 10 day* on his
new assignment.
HANDS OFF MEXICO
IS THE DECISION OF
MR. TAFT AND HIS
CABINETMEMBERS
Prolonged Session of Presi
dent and Cabinet Last
Night—Reaffirm Non
intervention Attitude
OFFICIALS SAY THE
ADMINISTRATION HAS
NOT CHANGED POLICY
Revolution Has Caused United States
Big Expenditures in Preparing
for Intervention and in Pro
tecting Americans in
Mutinous City
Washington, February 16.—“Hands
off’’ Mexico for the present was the
decision of President Taft and the
cabinet, reached at a prolonged ses
sion which lasted until the early hours
of this morning.
Mr. Taft and seven of his adviser*
gathered in the White House, after
reviewing the situation from every
angle, and particularly the proposal
of an armistice in Mexico City during
which noncombanants are to be re
moved with the creation of a neutral
zone for the American embassy, de
termined to reaffirm the noninterven
tion attitude of the United States,
but meanwhile keeping the army and
navy ready for instant action.
II was practically determined that no
further communication would go to Pres
ident Madero at this time.
The cabinet broke up after hl:ilt) o'clock.
Secretary Knox announced Secretary,
HUles would give out any statement.
Other members of th* cabinet also re
ferred to Mr. HllMs. Mr. HUles'" state
ment follows:
No Basin for Chang* •
j “At a cabinet meeting tonight extend
ing Into the morning various Mexican
dispatches were considered, and It was
decided that the information so far re
ceived afforded no basis for a changw
in the policy of the government of the
United States, already indicated many
times in the last two years.”
One of the first things taken up at the
cabinet meeting was a reply to Presi
dent Madero’s personal appeal that In
tervention or landing of troops be de
layed. At the end of the first half hour
the President sent for a stenographer
and It was presumed that the reply was
being drafted.
The reply to President Madero as final
ly framed was In diplomatic terms a
reaffirmation of the attitude of the Uni
ted States as expressed to Mexico In
previous correspondence. Indicating a dis
position not to Interfere In Mexican af
fairs, but reasserting a determination to
keep United States forces in positions
where they might speedily ba used for
protection of American citizens. There
was an Impression at the White House
that the reply might not be sent to
night, if at all.
The President said he hoped that the
disquieting dispatches from Mexico would
not arohse the American people, and that
the pressure upon Congress would not
become so great that a majority would
feel called upon to respond to a demand
for intervention. According to hls latest
information, there Is but slight sentiment
In Congress for intervention.
A troop movement to Mexico probably
will be made by merchant vessels when
given In a few hours’ notice as arranged
for by the state department ahd In
force some time. The drafts would be
made from the army posts In the bor
der at which troops have been on
marching order* for months. The
troop* available for a quick movement
are the Thirteenth cavalry, El Paso
Second cavalry, First batalllon. Eight
eenth Infantry, and the Twenty-second
Infantry, Port Bliss; one troop Third
cavalry at filerra Blanco and one troop
at Rhafter, Tex; one troop Fourteenth
cavalry, Fort Clark; one troop Four
teenth cavelry, Eagle Pass; one squad
ron Fourteenth cavalry, Fort McIntosh:
several troops Third cavalry and two
battalions of the Third field artillery
at Fort San Houston.
In posts in Arizona, New Mexico, Kan
sas, Wyoming and Oklahoma are sev
eral regiments of infantry and field
artillery.
Ir» addition to this force there are
available at the Guantanamo naval sta
tion 2500 to 3000 marines which could
be transported to Mexican ports within
70 hour*. Ten battleships of the At
lantic fleet also could land approx
<Continued on Page Tea)
WILSON EXPLAINS HIS
INAUGURATION PLANS
Princeton, N. J.. February 15.—Presi
dent-elect Wilson today explained his
plans for the Inauguration so far as they
nad been arranged.
Mr. Wilson and his family will leave
here at 11 a. rn. Monday, March 3. on a
special train, as guests of the student
body of Princeton university, arriving In
Washington nt 1 p. m. He will attend
a smoker given In his honor that evening
by the Princeton Alumni association for
the District of Columbia to which Prince
•on graduates generally have been In
| vlted. He snld tonight liv. would not make
A speech. 51r. Wilson believes that his
first speech in Washington should be his
Inaugural address.
The President-elect and his family will
pend the night ^t one ot the large hotels
near the White House. On March 1. the
usual programme of the Inaugural cere
monies will be follow ed. The Wilsons will
have a few guests at luncheon at the
White House, but have made no plans for
any other social functions.
"We will follow precedent that day,"
remarked Mr. Wilson.
The governor spent the day at home
rummaging through hie papers.