The Birmingham age-herald. [volume], February 27, 1913, Image 1

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

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THE BIRMINGHAM AGE-HERALD
VOLUME xxxxn BIRMINGHAM. ALABAMA, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27. 1913 14 RAGES _NL ,M BEK 297
GOSSIP HMD SI
STATE CAPITAL ON
Opinion in Ouster Suit Will
Not Be Given Until
Early in April
GRUBB MAY PASS ON
THE L. & N. PETITION
Other Matters of Comment at Mont
gomery—O’Neal's Efforts to Con
duct the State’s Affairs
Within Its Income
By II t f.II VV. BOB CUTS
Montgomery, February 2H.~(Special.)—
*here is much small talk in Montgomery
in reference to the probable action of the
supreme court on the Judge Lane case.
It has been rumored that the majority
of the members of the court have inform
ally expressed themselves as being of the
opinion that Judge Lane was serving as
commissioner without constitutional au
thority on the ground of the statute
which forbids a judicial officer under the
fctnte from accepting any other office
under the Btate. It has also been report
ed that the decision, when rendered, would
sustain the eminent legal authority the
favorable opinion of which was the reason
for the resignation of Judge Lane from
the circuit court and his acceptance of
the position of commissioner.
At the present time there is a report
current that the opinion has been written
and that its publication is held up until
some decision can be reached on the most
available and substantial citizen to suc
ceed Jlidge Lane.
There seems .to be little foundation for
tlie report that the opinion has been ren
dered. Tlie court has adjourned to meet
again early in April. Judge deGraffen
reid, who, it is understood, was assigned
to write the opinion, at the present time
as in Greensboro, his home. Judge Or
mond Somerville, interviewed today, ex
pressed the belief that the opinion would
not be handed down until the next session
of the court.
Secretary Greene of the supreme court
and Lawrence IT. Lee, reporter for that
body, expressed surprise when asked
about the opinion. Both stated positive
ly that it had not been rendered, and
that, as far h^s they knew', no action in
legard to the case has been taken in any
respect or particular.
No man about the capital will express
bis opinion as to what the verdict will
be. There is unanimous expression,
howeve*,. to th<dfc '.Tact thii*.* ‘here is no
reason to believe that the case will be
acted upon before the next session of the
court.
Charles Henderson, chairman of the
railroad commission, his asoscintes on
that board, and the attorney, Judge Sam
uel D. Weakley, ail agree that the crucial
point in the litigation between the state
and the railroads has been reached.
The outcome, according to these au
thorities, will lie in the vdrdict of the fed
tial court before which the commission
ers will appear this week for the purpose
of answering to a charge of contempt in
ihat they are alleged to have violate^ a
federal Injunction in handing down an or
der instructing the Louisville and Nash
ville railroad to restore the passenger
late of ZSi cents. If the court should hold
that the. commissioners were in contempt.
It is generally agreed that there would
be some embarrassment in their continu
ing the hearing of the pending case
against the Westet'n of Alabama.
I have not bad a chance to discuss the
matter with Governor O'Neal," stated
judge Weakley today, "but I presume
that I will represent the commission in
the federal court. The crucial point has
been reached. This matter will be the
•rub.’ ”
On account of the absence from the
state of Judge Thomas G. Jones. It is
probable that the contempt proceedings
•will be held before Judge William b
Grubb.
* • *
Governor O'Neal is making manful
efforts to guide the state within its in
come. Tlio chief executive has not
discussed formally the calling of an
extra session of the legislature, but it
is generally taken for granted that he
will not call the lawmakers together
unless he is compelled to do so.
The financial condition of the state
has improved, it is understood, to this
extent: The state owes nothing and
lias no money in the till. April 1 the
slate will be due the old soldiers about
$200,000, and the necessity of raising
this little fortune will possibly throw
the state again In debt. The governor,
as lias been published, lias requested
tlie treasurer and the auditor to make
reports concerning the financial con
dition of the state and has also com
missioned Examiner Wilkinson to pre
pare a statement.
It has been pointed out that on ac
count of a lack of founds with which
to pay interest, It might be necessary
for the governor to call the legisla
^t'onlluueil »u I’«ge Eleven I
NAVAL BILL CALLING
FOR ONE BATTLESHIP
IS PASSED BY BOOSE
Action Follows Four Days
of Stormy Debate on
Appropriation
———
UNDERWOOD SPEAKS
FOR BILL AS CARRIED
__ ** I
I
Position of Leader of House Turns
Tide in Fight—Hobson Leads
in Advocating Larger
Appropriation
THE DAY TN CONGRESS.
Senate met. at 10 o’clock.
Senator Smith .spoke on and at
tempted to have his cotton futures
bill considered, but objection put it
over until Thursday.
Passed bill to create a department
of labor.
Ratified treaty with Italy for rec- J
iprocal treatment of citizens of both
nations.
Passed postoffice appropriation bill
carrying $283,000,000.
Foreign relations committee decided
to recommend no action on Nicaraguan
loan treaty.
House met at 10:30 o'clock.
Disagreed to Senate amendment to
pension appropriation bill and asked
for conference.
Resumed debate on naval appropria
tion bill.
General deficiency appropriation bill
crarying $21235,740 was reported.
Majority and minority reports from
treasury department expenditures
committee on oleomargarine tax con
troversy were submitted.
Money trust committee considered
its report in executive session.
Taft financial system budget was
passed.
Passed naval appropriation bill car
rying $111,000,000 and providing for one
new battleship only.
Took up general deficiency bill.
Adjourned at 10:10 p. m. until 10:30
a m. Thursday.
\\ nnHIiigfon, February — \fter
four dayn of debate, aeeoiupanled at
tlmcn by’acenea of disorder aeldont wlt
nenned at the cnpitol, the House to
\nlubt panned tlie naval appropriation
bill, carrying approximately $111,000,
000 and nuthoei/ing the construction of
one liattlenhlp, nix torpedo boat de
nt royern and four nuhmnrlnen.
An amendment to provide for one bat- !
‘tleshlp instead of two, as recommended !
by the committee, was carried by a vote ;
of 174 to 156.
An amendment offered by Representa
! live Calder of New York and adopted,
requires that tne bnttlesmfp^Hhfr#* be cor * i
structed in a government navy yard. j
$116,000,000 Appropriation
As reported by the committee the bill
carried appropriations aggregating $146,
000.000 and provided for two battleships,
a transport and a supply ship. Points
of order by Representative Sisson of Mis
sissippi in the committee of the whole
struck out the transport and supply ship,
Representative Alexander of Missouri, the
chairman, holding there was no authority
for the appropriations because no ves
sels of this type ever had been authorized
before.
Until today the “big navy” men, headed i
by Representative Hobson of Alabama and
Representatives Ayres of New York, bad
been confident that the two battleship
programme would go through and the re
sult was by no means certain until the
final roll call on the amendment. It had j
been contended that the democrats were j
about equally divided on tHe proposition,
and that the democratic leaders would
take no active part in the fight against
11He committee’s report.
Underwood Speaks
Toda. however, Democratic Deader Un
derwood spoke for one battleship, and
when the vote o.n the amendment came
146 democrats voted for the amendment
and only 64 against it. Of the republicans |
102 voted against the amendment and 2S \
for it.
There was no roll call on the passage
of the bill as amended, but Representative
Roddenberry of Georgia held up the vote !
long enough to predict that the Senate
would send the measure back with the
| provision for two battleships inserted.
1 While the amendment for one battle
ship, w'nicn was offered by Representative
Tribble of Georgia was pending, Repre-1
sentative Hobson introduced amendments
to authorize four battleships, three bat
tleships. and one battleship and a dread
naught cruiser. Each proposition was losl
by an overwhelming vote.
Throughout the consideration of tHe bill j
there were heated exchanges between j
members and frequent disorder. The cji- j
max came today when Representative
Murray of Massachusetts, standing be
fore the speakers’ table demanding rec
<Continued on Page Eleven*
UNDERWOOD MAKES TELLING
SPEECH ON THE NAVAL BILL
.. ■■■" " ■ % |
Gives Reasons for Advocating Appropriation for One Battle
ship Yearly—Given Round of Applause at Conclusion
of Speech—Opposes Hobson
By C. E. STEWART
Washington. February 2$.—(Special.)—
Intense feeling was in evidence in tho
House today with the naval bill under
consideration, when the paragraph relat
ing to the battleships was reached and
was under discussion.
The friends of a big navy put up a
•trong fight for twu ships. Representative
Hobson offered an amendment making
the number four instead of two, and de
fended Ids position upon naval affairs in
a strong argument in support of more
^ ships.
Those who have been recently prophesy
ing that Jlr. l/nderwood was losing his
grip on the leadership of the House were)
given a rude shock in today's fight.
Mr. Underwood made a telling speech lu
favor of one* ship. lie declared that the
country needed an adequate navy, and
that all patriotic citizens favored an ado/
quate navy.
"The only difference is in Pur individual
ideas of what an adequate navy is," said
Mr. Underwood.
"All branches of the navy must be kept
in proportion in order that it may be ef
fective. If we increase the number of I
battleships we must also increase other
ships, transports and colliers in propor
tion. and in a short wdiile we will find
ourselves appropriating instead of $K0,-!
000,0(*) for the navy. ?£>0,000,<JUo annually.”
Four or live votes were taken on vari
ous amendments seeking to add more
ships to the hill or at least retain the two
which the bill provided, but Mr. Under
wood and the supporters of the* one bat
tleship programme won out. Mr. Under
wood wa's given a round of applause at
the conclusion of his speech.
Cjust JLXT
fiff= A/. O'**?
/-O about
i Mf*> u f
TEXAS WANTS TO FIGHT
I
NEW YORK POLICE
_
Legislative Bills Providing
for Sweeping Changes
May Result—Gaynor
Before Committee
ifew York, February 26.—Three com
mittees, one appointed by the state legis
lature, one by the board of aldermen and
one an organization of citizens, joined to
day in an effort to reform the New York
police force. The result of their labors
probably will be legislative bills providing
for sweeping changes.
Mayor Gaynor was the principal witness
before the legislative committee, while two
of his predecessors, former Mayors Mc
Clellan and Low, gave their views to tlie
committee of aldermen.
At the same time the citizens' commit
tee, appointed immediately after the mur
der of the gambler, Herman Rosenthal,
laid before the legislative committee de
tailed recommendations.
The most radical reform suggested was
appointment of a new commission to be
called “the board of social welfare,’’ which
should take from the present police force
the duty of regulating gambling, social
vice and the sale of liquor. This plan was
presented by the citizens’ committee and
mentioned by the mayor.
Former Mayor McClellan united with
the citizens’ committee in the belief that
it is impossible to suppress the Sunday
sale of liquor in New York, and that tlie
present law invites the levying of police
tribute on saloonkeepers. It was recom
mended both by the mayor and the com
mittee that New York city Sunday liquor
selling be permitted within restricted
•hours.
Comparatively Few Grafters
Mayor Gaynor declared that among the
10,000 New York policemen were not more
than 50 grafters. Ills predecessor, Mayor
McClellan, said that while the rank and
Hie of the force were the finest in the
world, their officials were the worst.
Mayor Gaynor suggested an infusion of
new blood into 1 lie force by permitting the
appointment of inspectors from outside the
ranks. R.v tlds he hoped to bring into the
force army officers and other trained men
not under the domination of the "sys
tem."
In explaining his view's the mayor said:
"Before I came into office the heads
of the police department wont out of
office, one after another, millionaires.
Some of them now have their city houses,
their automobiles, their yachts. I want to
know who is going to go out now’ a rich
tna n ?’ ’
$3,0C#iD,000 a Year in Craft
‘ Why, when T became mayor the police
were getting about $3,000,000 a year in graft
from saloonkeepers. There isn't a penny
of it paid today, except, perhaps, here
and there by some scamp or scoundrel.
The police of New York have other things
to 11o than to see if a man takes a glass
of beer on Sunday.
"I hope there will be no delusion at Al
bany. Do not think that the police of
New York f^re failing in their duty or are
corrupt; it is not so. And don’t get the
notion that the newspapers aren’t in this
graft; they’ve been in it up to their arm
pits fur Zb years.’’
Mr. McClellan said the first step neces
sary to Improve police conditions was the
extinction of the "police system.” "Honest
members.” he said, “are afraid to call
their souls their own. The evil extends
throughout the whole force.”
The legislative committee will continue
its sessions tomorrow.
If an attempt is made to reorganize tlit
New York police department through
legislation, John D. Rockefeller, Jr., be
lieves the experience of European cities
should be utilized in framing such laws.
In a statement issued today on behalf
ut the bureau of social hygiene, Mr.
Rockefeller asks that whatever remedial
measures ‘are: taken nok be of a tenta
tive nature pending publication by the
bureau of the results of its investiga
tions.
Raymond P. Kosdick, former city com
missioner of accounts, has been in Europe
studying the police organizations of the
British and continental cities and his re
ports, the statement says, will be pub
lished during the present year. These
^Continued Page Eleven>
"y
CABINET SITUATION
Selection of Bryan, Daniels,
McAdoo and Burleson
Considered Is Final.
Field Narrowed
Washington, February 26.—Chief in
terest In the cabinet situation in Wash
ington tonight centered about the at
torney generalship and a report that
James C. McReynolds of New York is
foremost among those under consider
ation for the place by President-elect
Wilson. Coupled with Mr. McReynolds \
as a possibility for this portfolio was
that of Edgar H. Farrar of New Or
leans, former president of the Amer
ican Bar association.
Men high in democratic* councils de- j
dared that Mr. McReynolds and Far
rar iiad been under consideration for I
some time but that late developments
seemed to point to the selection of tin
former, who was Assistant Attorney!
General in 1903-1907, and long been
specially retained by the United States
in trust prosecutions.
Though a democrat, Mr. McReynolds
was engaged to prosecute the govern
ment’s suit against the tobacco trust|
and had charge of that case in the I
beginning until the dissolution of tin |
American Tobacco company. He made |
a particular study of the tobacco trade]
and manufacturing conditions, and
when it came to the arrangements of
the dissolution decree his knowledge,
of the tobacco brands and the intri- ]
eacies of the trust’s organization i
proved of great value. He also had j
charge of the prosecution of the gov
ernment’s suit against the hard coal
trust and carried the case through tin
supreme court, which annulled the so
called 6.') per cent contracts.
Air. McReynolds is a native of Ken - |
lucky, a graduate of the law depart- J
ment of the University of Virginia and
practiced law for many years in Nash
ville, Tenn. He located in New York
in 1907.
Other developments of the day served i
to confirm the finality of the selec-I
tions of Messrs. Bryan, McAdoo. Dan- j
ids and Burleson, and to disclose vari
ious steps bv which other names grad- j
ually have been eliminated from cun-1
sideratlon.
The cabinet situation was not mate- i
Hally changed today from the definite !
ness it assumed last night. The de- i
velopments of the day only served to j
confirm the finality of the selections of j
Messrs. Bryan, McAdoo. Daniels and Bur
leson and to disclose the variqus steps !
by which other names gradually had been j
eliminated from consideration.
It developed also ihat Representative A. !
Mitchell Palmer or Pennsylvania had been j
offered and had declined tlie war port- i
folio, assigning as the grounds for his <
declination that lie was the Quaker whose !
(Coii tiuiieri on I'axc Kleven)
CLAYTON BILL IS
PASSED BY SENATE
I
Creates Eastern Division of
Middle Judicial District
of Alabama'
Washington, February 26.—(Special.)~
The Senate today passed .the Clayton bill,
creating the eastern division of the middle1
judicial district of Alabama, which has
already passed tho House. The eastern
division will include the counties of
Chambers, J.ec. Macon* nandolph, Rus
sell and Tallapoosa.
Cohrt will be held at Opelika the first
Monday In April and November. In the
public buildings bill an appropriation is
provided for $106,000 for a building for
postoffice and courthouse at Opelika.
THAW REFUSES 10
TESTIFY BEFORE THE
Declines to Answer Ques
tions Regarding Proposed
Bribe for His Release.
Halts Investigation
Fishklll, on Hudson, N. Y., February
26.—Harry K. Thaw, slayer of Stanford
While, refused today to testify before
Governor Sulzer’s committee of inquiry
which is investigating an alleged con
spiracy to obtain Thaw's release from
the Matteawan hospital. Thaw said lie
would answer questions only if al
lowed to testify “in the same place arid
under the same circumstances as other
witnessess,” and “without pretense of
insanity.” He said he Jiad taken this
position “on advice," but refused to say
who had advised him.
The committee came here from Al
bany today after hearing John Nich
olson Anhui, a Nfew York lawyer, tes
tify that he had received a $25,000 fee
from an agent of Thaw to obtain his
release, Anliut also testified concerning
his relations with Dr. John W. Russell,
superintendent of the Alatteawan hos
pital, denying the latter’s accusations
that he had offered the doctor a $20,
000 bribe to aid in securing Thaw’s
freedom, and making the counter
charge that Dr. Russell had said he
’’wouldn’t do anything for Thaw unless
he got money for it.”
Had Questions Prepared
John T. Norton, counsel for tire com
mittee, had prepared a series of ques
tions for Thaw to answer which he
hoped would clear up some of the 'con
tradictory evidence the inquiry has
elicited.
Thaw’s refusal to answer thwarted
this hope and the committee returned
to Albany tonight uncertain as to what
step should bo taken next.
Thaw was brought into the chapel
of the institution to give his testimony.
He was not sworn. As soon as he had
given ills name, without waiting for
further questions, he explained his
position.
“I have boon advised not to answer
any questions," lie said, “unless it is
in the same roo|i in which tlie other
witnesses an dwitli no pretense of in
be no distinction apparent. I have been
advised that I should answer questions
under the same circumstances as other
wltnescs and with no pretense of in
sanity. I regret to incommode you in
any way, but I decline by advice.”
“It is a confidential matter which, I
have been advised, is not necessary to
state," replied Thaw.
Confessing that it was powerless to
punish Thaw for “contumacious con
(Continued on I’rtge Eleven)
»•••••••••••••••••••••••••••»•••••••••••••••••••••••
TODAY’S AGE-HERALD
1—Gossip at state capital on the I^ane
decision.
Naval bill passes the House.
Join lu effort to reform New' York
police.
Reports of cabinet situation confirmed.
Thaw refuses to testify.
Next administration will decide Mexi
can situation.
War activities in east halted by win
ter weather.
1— Minister to Chile will not resign offl
cittl position.
3— Unfilled orders in steel falling off.
4— Editorial comment.
6—New boulevards promise to open via
duct rpiestiori.
Exurn dinner tonight.
To operate new division of Tidewater.
Official list of subscribers to Y. W,
C. A.
6— Society.
7— Sports'.
R—Gus Dale placed on trial in Gadsden
5)-Third story will be added to home of
Southern club.
10— Business Men’s league will take up
luncheon idea.
It—Satisfaction felt in Mexico over out
look.
13—Markets.
H— Mexico’s bloody history covers long
period of time.
ADMINISTRATION OF
WILSON WILL DECIDE
MEXICAN SITUATION
No ImmediateConsideration
of Political Recognition of
the New Government
HUERTA MUST SHOW
GOVERNMENT FIRM
Policy of This Counlrv Will Depend
Uarjrely Upon the Developments
Under the Provisional
Government
Washington. February 26.—Political rec
ognition of the new provisional govern
ment of Mexico is not a matter requiring
immediate consideration at the hands of
the Secretary of State, and it was made
practically certain that this Is another
subject that will be left as heritage to
the next administration.
In the opinion of state department of
ficials, the United States has no interests
In Mexico that will suffer by withholding
full recognition, and also all necessary
business can be discharged under the
working arrangement Ambassador Wilson
has set up. This amounts to recognition
of a de facto condition. It in no wise
commits the United States government
to an acknowledgement of the legality of
the Huerta government, and that ques
tion must be determined hereafter entire
ly upon the basis of performances.
Depends Upon Huerta
If President Huerta conducts his gov
ernment in regular constitutional form,
maintains undisputed possession of his
capital and extends full and ample pro
tection to foreign life and property In
Mexico, formal recognition will not be
withheld. Because some doubt exists on
the latter point there is great delibera
tion exhibited in reaching a decision
The United States government probably
will be strongly influenced in its treat
ment of this question by the extent of
the measures taken by the provisional
government of Mexico to have a full anti
fair election with the object of installing
a permanent constitutional government.
It is precisely such an omission on the
part of the de facto government in China
that has resulted in the withholding of
(lie formal recognition of Yuan Shi Kki’s
government by Washington.
In the course of a conference wdth raeta*
j bers of the Senate committee on foreign
relations today, at which Senators Cul
berson and Sheppard of Texas were pres
ent, Secretary of Wn Sttmson atfll Maj.,
Gen. Leonard Wood gave assurance of
such a disposition of troops along the
Texas frontier as will Insure ported ion
of that section. They said seven regi
ments would be placed along the Mexican
border in Texas.
Troop Movement Necessary
They explained that the removal to
i Galveston of detachments from 101 Paso
[ and other Rio Grande points had been
[rendered necessary by the crisis in Mexi
I co City. With the accession of General
Huerta to the presidential Chair, they
i said, it had looked for a time as if active
Jntervention„niight he necessary and with
this possible end in yiew it became de
I sirable to get as large a force as pos
sible to the nearest point of embarkation
to that place. Now that the critical time
| had passed, they expected that time could
| he taken to bring troops from a greater
j distance to Galveston. This would be
done and the two officials expressed con
fidence that there soon would he no rea- j
son for complaint. The Texas senators
as well ns members of the foreign rela
tions committee expressed satisfaction
with the assurance given.
Consular and other reports to the state
and war departments today indicated ex
istence of small foci of rebellious spirit j
in several quarters in Mexico, hut on the
whole there appeared to be a general con
| vlotion of the ultimate success of the new
| administration.
Little Disquietude
With the outlook of armed oppo-I
; sitlon to the new provisional govern
ment in Mexico reduced to a few small
I threatened uprisings by followers of
the late President Mudero, it is the
opinion of administration officials hero
that chances for the use of tlie mil
itary arm to protect American inter
ests have greatly diminished.
Concentration of troops at Galveston
will continue, but admittedly the pur
pose now is principally to test the
working of the new system of army
reorganization.
Major General Carter, commander of
the second division, will take the op- I
portunity afforded by the assembly of [
a complete division of troops to put
them through their pages, thus afford
ing to the various regimental and bri
gade commanders practically their first
opportunity to direct the movements of
the largo bodies of men that would fall i
to their command in time of war.
If the complete division is assembled
in Galveston at Texas City, about seven
I miles distant, and In the country Just
opened near Houston before the end
of the present, week the military ex
< (on tinned on Page Kiev****
•.
WAR ACTIVITIES IN
THE EAST STOPPED
BY COED WEATHER
Snowstorms Frequent and
Roads Are in Deplor
able State
NO IMPORTANT
MOVES ARE MADE
lurks Claim Success in Slight Skir
mishes—Reports From Adrianoplo
Conflicting—Roumania Ac
cepts Mediation
London, February 26.—The operations
of the five armies engaged in the Bal
kan war have been brought practically
to a standstill by the winter weather.
Snow storms are frequent and the roads
are in a deplorable state.
The dally official dispatches, upon
which the world is now compelled to
rely for news from the theatre of war,
repeat the stereotyped statement:
“Nothing of importance has occurred.’*
A dispatch from Constantinople to
day goes a little farther, recording that
there has been skirmishing on the front
of the Tchatalja lines by Turkish vol
unteers, who claim to have met with
some successes. These must have been
of a minor nature as the Bulgarians
earlier in the w'eek \v<^re said to have
withdrawn further to the westward.
Roads in that neighborhood aro so
bad that the transport colutns found
it difficult to keep the troops at the
front supplied with provisions and am
munition.
Conflicting Keports
The news from 'ho neighborhood of
Adrianoplo is conflicting, The Bul
garian war department says only de
sultory lighting has been in progress,
but a dispatch from a Flench corre
spondent inside the city says that since
Februarly 3, the Bulgarians have be* n
delivering desperate, but ineffective as
saults on the fortress and are bom
barding it cruelly and fruitlessly. The
correspondent confirms the report sent
to the Turkish war office, by Shukn
Pasha, the military commander of
Anrianople that lie has succeeded in
getting a fresh supply of provisions.
Even less has occurred in the vi
cinity of Bulair iri the Gallipoli pen
insula than at the Tchatalja lines. Here
the Bulgarian and Turkish armies aie
entrenched, patiently awaiting a break
in the weather.
The only heavy fighting, except at
Adrinnople, since the war was resumed
lias taken place around Scutari, w her*
the Montenegrin army, now assisted
by Servian trqops, has again failed
In trying to^ake the fortress.
Australian military experts say tTe
Montenegrin siege guns are placed too
fur away to do serious damage to the
Turkish works and that King Nicholas
<»f Montenegro will not permit them to
be moved forward, as he fears a sortie
by the Turkish garrison. Jle is now
awaiting the arrival of big Servian f
siege guns which have been shipped
from Saloniki.
Anxious to Capture Fortress
The Montenegrins are rrost anxious to
capture the fortress, as Russia has
agreed to the Austrian demand that
it should he included i?» the future
Albanian state. With the town once
in his possession JsTng Nicholas be
lieves his brothel* Slavs would insist
on its retention by .Montenegro.
The Greek army seems to be Just
as idle at Janina as are the Bulgarians
at Bo lair. An occasional report comes *
through of movement of Turkis i
troops In Macedonia, showing they are
not entirely disposed of there, while
the failure of the Greeks to take
Janina, which is their objective, is re
garded us another indication that there
is a lot of light left in the Ottomans
in that part of the country.
The Greek fleet now has extended
its blockade of the Albanian coast as
far as Durazzo to stop revictualling of
the Turks in Scutari and Macedonia.
This action may give rise to objec
tions by Italy and Austria on the
ground that the blockade is ineffective.
No details have been received here of
tlie reported fighting at Bulair.
Austria and Russia have not yet taken
effective steps to demobilize and in Vienna
some doubt is expressed as to whether the
agreement announced at St. Petersburg
has advanced quite so far as stated, zut
It is believed that the prediction of the
Austrian premier. Count Stuergkh, yes
terday, that there was good ground for
the hope that at no distant date a gen
eral relaxation of the political tension
would set in, will he realised.
The question of Scutari, however, still
causes trouble and King Nicholas of
Montenegro has made a tlnal appeal to
the Russian emperor against the. reported
decision of the powers to include d’i.tari *
in Albania.
It is understood that the Austro-Rus
sian agreement provides for compensation
for Montenegro in another direction for
the loss of Scutari, but the Monts 10
grin government, in official utterance
t t on tin lied on Tuge hlctcsi
FRENCH PEOPLE HONOR
MEMORY OF WILBUR WRIGHT
I Committee to Erect Memorial to Aeroplane Inventor at Lunch
eon With American Ambassador—President Taft Sends
Message—Late Aviator Warmly Praised
Paris, February 26.—The memory and |
•attainments of the late Wilbur Wright
were honored here today by a mes
j sago from President Taft and by
• speeches delivered by many distln
| guishcd Frenchmen. The occasion was
a luncheon at which Myron T. Herrick,
the American ambassador. has as
his guest the committee of French
men in charge of arrangement for
erecting a memorial to the aeroplane I
inventor on the Plain of Auvours near
He Mans, where he made some of his
first public flights.
Mr. Herrick read a cable dispatch
from Secretary oC State Knox which
said:
‘•President Taft desires you to ex
press to the French committee his in
terest in the undertaking to commcm
orate the first aeroplane flight made
in France by his copntryman, the late
in France by his countryman, the late
gentlemen that this mark of respect
will only serve as a monument to his
achievements and memory blit also to
the ever increasing friendly relations
between the United States of America
and France.’*
A message from the mayor of l^e
Mans said:
‘In truth our city owes this evi
dence of esteem and recognition to
a man^who, the first in Europe, flew
like a 'bird over the Plain of Alivouiv.
It was thus that Wilbur Wright made
the city of l.e .Mans known through
out the world. If centuries hence on*
city should have disappeared it wottlf
still live in the memory of men fo*
they, would say that it was at l«e Mans
I that the first man-bird flew from
I earth.”