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AUSTRIAN OFFICAL EXPLAINS WHY NOTE WAS SENT AMERICA Protest Against Wholesale Munitions Shipment Was Delayed Until Austrian Victories Dis pelled Idea That Protest Was Feeble Cry for Assistance—Complaint is Made in All Friendliness, Says a High Austrian Official Vienna. July 16.—(Via London.) From a high authoritative source at the foreign office, a representative of the Associated Press has received an ^ explanation of the motives said to have inspired the dispatch of the Aus tro-Hungarian note to the United States regarding American traffic in war munitions. The Austro-Hungarian statesman who spoke said that although the facts on which the note is based had been in existence for a long time, the com munication was sent only now when, after great victories in Galicia, it could not be interpreted as a cry for help from a land in distress. He disavowed any idea that the note was sent at the request or inspiration of Germany, asserting that the step was taken spontaneously in the hope that, owing to the undisturbed friendly relations between Austria-Hungary and the Uni ted States, the note would be assured a sympathetic reception. “The note,” said this statesman, “is inspired by friendly feelings of the monarchy toward the union, where so many of our subjects have found a second home. It is the speech of a friend to a friend—an attitude which we are the more justified in taking * because the relations of the. two states have, as fact, never been clouded. Why Delay Was Made “It might perhaps easily be a source of wonder that since the basic grounds of the note have been in existence for <•••(••••(•••••••**•«»•••*•*••*••(•••••••••••••••••••< months the note was not sent long flffco. but there ts a reason for its appear ance at this particular time. In view of incredible rumors and reports about the condition of the monarchy circu lated throughout the United States, this note surely would have been in terpreted at an earlier stage of events as a confession of weakness, as an appeal for help in distress. Today when a rich harvest is being garnered throughout the monarchy, when talk of starving; out Austria-Hungary therefore is rendered Idle, v, hen com plaints of shortage of ammunition are heard everywhere else except in the allied central monarchies, there can not be tlfe slightest question of this. "On the other hand. It might be asked why the note, under these conditions, was issued at all. With nothing to check the victorious progress of the central powers In sight, with their ability to meet pressure in the eco nomic field demonstrated, it might well be thought that It is a matter of In difference to them whether America continues her policy or not. That, how ever, is not the case. The problems of International law which this war has brought up are of far-reaching im portance. The solutions reached will be standards of action for decades to come. "For eminently practical as well as theoretical reasons, therefore, the monarchy is forced not only to con cern Itself with the questions of the day. but also to feel its responsibility toward the future of mankind, and for this reason the government thought It necessary to approach the subject un- i der discussion—the more. too. because j it felt that the previous debate pro i and con had not. as it wishes, led to the desired result, and because it be lieved that numbers of arguments spe cially laid down in The Hague con vention hitherto had escaped consid eration. Mature Consideration “It may, of course, be assumed that the note Is the product of mature con sideration and was drafted after con sultation with international law ex perts of the first rank. The absence of the slightest hostile intent against the union is shown not only by the open ing phrases, but by the fact that it was published only after it leaked out in the United States that there was no objection to its publication. “The question of whether Austrlo Hungary feels that she is being cut off by America may be answered un reservedly in the affirmative. The mil itary monarchy can and will continue the war as long as necessary. The population will as hitherto suffer neither starvation nor material want. Hut there nre other interests than those connected primarily with war, which every government is hound to consider and unhampered trade rela tions with the United States are of the greatest importance to us. “Finally, not only material, also 1 might say, sentimental interests play a certain role not to he underesti mated among the people. Many warm friends of America among us arc pain fully affected by the fact that actual conditions give the impression that America, even though unintentionally, differentiates between the belliger ents.” '•••••••••■•••••••••••••••••■••••••••••••••••••••••••a WORKERSTO STRIKE Machinists Will Offer Com pany Two Alternatives Today Bridgeport. Conn.. July 16.—The ma chinists of Bridgeport by a unanimous vote tonight voted for a general strike should the Remington Arms company decline to meet their demands. Representatives of the machinists will offer the company two alterna tives tomorrow. In connection with an intimation that German influences were behind the strike agitation, a rumor gained circulation in Bridgeport today that • Ernest O’Brien, until recently busi ness agent of the Bridgeport Brick layers’ union, had been offered a sum of money just prior to a strike six weeks ago if he would use his in fluence to have the bricklayers work inr at the Remington \ plant walk out. i O'Brien said tonight ( hat he had been approached twice. He paid he was of fered $200 on each bcAwon, but that he turned down both /offers. The executive committee the ma chinists was empowered to submit to the Remington company, first, a pro posal that the striking millwrights be taken back to work with cards of Metal Trades union instead of car penters' cards, and i should that de mand be refused the board was given the power to mak» ‘ othqr demands. These, it was said, after t^ie meeting, Included double time," for overtime, and eight-hour day. uni on recognition and a minimum wage. The board further was empowered to call a strike at the plant* about a score of subcontracting concerns doing work for the Remington (company should the compan.v refuse to Rieet one or the other of the alternative de mands. Should the mildwrlghts be taken back with Metal Trades union cards H would mean tlia t they would receive as wages $5 a da V instead of 1:1.75. It the Remingtcn company declines to meet the demands the machinists it was said the m embers of the union ,* would he railed out on strike early next week. GOVERNOR'S FAILURE TO ACCEDE TO WISHES OF TAX COMMITTEE . IS CRUX OF TROUBLE (Continued from Page One) Inspector, an e ngineer and a competent business man. “What will the legislature’s attitude towards Dr. william H. Oats, prison in spector. and Y\ S. Keller, highway engi neer. in the eV'®nt this bill passes?'* the correspondent disked. To Retai n Oates and Keller “I believe it'. 1* understood that both Dr. Oates and! Mr. Keller will become members of t-be new commission.” was the reply. ' ‘The only objection I have beard to Dr Oates is that he has done his fluty fear lessly and courageously, and the legislature does not wish to remove a man from -office who has achieved that ‘ record. Nor does the dominant faction wish to legislate a man out of office of Mr. Keller’s ability. T feel sure that both Dr. Outers and Mr. Keller will be selected as m- ambers of the prison com mission." Speaker Carmichael expressed the be lief, however. that the game and fish department w ^uld be abolished, though be indicated th'&t be had no decided views on that question. He indicated that John H. Wallace. commissioner of the de i pnrtment. hantagonized a large num ber of the legislature since last March, m rl that as a result he would more than likely be located out of office. BIRMINGHAM DEALT BLOW BETWEEN EYES Effort to Amend Corporation Tax Provision of Revenue Bill I Defeated Montgomery. July 16.—(Special.)—Blr mingham (this afternoon received a blow between eyes. The effoYt to amend the revenue bill go that a rpiunlcipality might collect from corporations in the form of a license ut. two percelntum. and not one percentum A 0f the gi«ss receipts of the corporation aerving tip® public, was defeated. At the (present time, cities collect two rercentiml hTe revenue bill reduced that figure to cj«ie percentum. Representative CopeWind in the meeting of the house committee on Vinar.ce this afternoon, of fered a regdlutlwn that the old figure be retained. \l Chairman Weajley protested, and under his leadership, ttve opposition won by an overwhelming majority. This committee flas postponed to a fu ure dat. considei'Ution of that section of the tax bill which would deprive the governor of his power of making appoint ments. DR. SANDERS BEFORE HOUSE COMMITTEE Tells Body Gorgas Bill Is the Work of Disgruntled Birmingham Doctors Montgomery. July 16.—(Special.)—Dr. | W. H. Sanders and other members of the college of counsellors of the medical association of the state of Alabama had their Inning today before the house com mittee on public health. They made it appear thru the effort in behalf of the Gorgas bill is solely an ef fort on the part of the disgruntled doctors of Birmingham. The progressives of the association, as is known, are striving to put the health of the state more nearly in the hands of the people. In other words, to take that important department out of the hands of 100 counsellors who are self-perpetuating and are responsible to no constituency. The progressives will reach Montgom ery Monday and will be prepared to prove that the atmosphere surrounding the health department is one of politics. Among them will he a large number of Birmingham physicians. BOUNDARY BILL IS REPORTED FAVORABLY Montgomery, July 16.—(Special.)—Rep resentative Scott's bill changing tip? boundaries of Birmingham was reported • favorably todnv. The bill would cut ofr | from the city about a mile of territory in the Sandusky district, and reduce the ! population by about 25 people. I The Dill was introduced to permit the reople of the section to send their chil dren to school at Sandusky rather than Pratt City. HOLD JUDGE BILL UNCONSTITUTIONAL Montgomery. July 16.—(Special.)—The judiciary committee of the senate held today that the bill of Senator Judge changing the basis of the remuneration of the sheriff of Jefferson county during his term of office would be judged uncon stitutional by tlie supreme court. This means that the fee system will continue to hold in Jefferson until new officials are elected and qualified. Recess Committee s Bills to Be Considered at Joint Sessions Montgomery. July 16.—(Special.)—The Mils of the recess committee on judiciary will be considered by a Joint session of the house and senate committees on ju diciary Wednesday. Lawyers from all parts of Alabama will be in Montgomery Tuesday for the pur pose of organizing a fight against the recommendations of the committee tend : Ing to revolutionize the court system of Alabama. DENSON WILL URGE NEW MILITARY BILL (Continued from Page One) \ forming as nearly as possible to United ( States army regulations. , In conclusion the bill provides that “it shall be the duty of the adjutant , general of Alabama to make or cause , | to be made at least one visit to each , l high school for instruction and inspoc ' tion during each scholastic year, and he r is hereby authorized to detail for such purpose any commissioned officer of the , Alabama National Guard." LAFAYETTE WINS ANOTHER GAME 1 Lafayette, July 16.—(Special.)—Lafayette ' again defeated the Chero-Cola team of Co lumbus, Ga., here today. All kinds of baseball was produced in the long-drawn i out affair of two houra and 60 minutes. Score by Innings: R.H.E. ColumbuB . 112 030 111-10 12 5 Lafayette . 300 003 3o*—14 14 (i Batteries: Parson, Smith and Stevens; Meadows. Schucssler. Walton and Bar ber. Umpires Davis and Boyd. Golf Tourney Cleveland, July 16.—Twelve and pos sibly 13 teams from golf associations in the United States and Canada will , compete tomorrow over the Mayfield course for the Olympic cup trophy, I the annual curtain raiser to the west ! ern amateur championship. George F. Henneberry of the West ern Golf association announced defi nitely today that •'Chick” Evans of Chicago would compete in the ama teur tourfiey starting Monday. Evans wired Henneberry to this effect this afternoon. There are 182 entries in the amntcur event, composing the best field that ever participated for a west ern amateur title The course ia not in the best con dition because of heavy rains, but of ficials announced it would be all right . for the cup event tomorrow unless i further raina fall. NO CHANGE IN COAL STRIKESITUATION Proposals for Settlement of English Labor Troubles to j Be Considered Today _ I | London, July Ifi.— (8:4.". p. m.)—The j day has brought no change in the South Wales coal strike situation. Wet weather, which kept the men indoors, prevented a mass meeting which had been arranged, but there were a few gatherings, at whiqh speakers attacked colliery owners and the press, which is outspoken in con demnation of their action in quitting work. The executive committee of the South Wales Miners' federation, most of whose members oppose the strike, came to London today and conferred with Walter Runciman, president of the Board of Trade, who. it is under stood, made new proposals for a set tlement of the trouble, which will be considered tomorrow. There is no Indication of weakening by the men. but the impression still prevails that a few days will see an end of the walkout. It is not believed the introduction of the munitions of war act can force the men to return to work, for it is impossible to bring J 150,000 men before the courts to im pose fines for contravening the act. In fact, the resort to this measure is be I licved rather to have made the situ-! j atlon worse and the men’s demands (now include Its withdrawal, so far as coal mining is concerned. Supplies of coal on hand are suffi I cient to prevent embarrassment to the navy for a week or more. BIRMINGHAM COAL i OPERATORS PROTEST AGAINST ABOLITION OF CONVICT SYSTEM (Continued from Poor One) mines where we have entire Jurisdic tion,” he added. “Tf such occurs at Banner, it is the work of the agents of the state. There the state fixes the tasks and imposes the punishment, r do not believe, however, that the tasks are too heavy. The mine is electrical ly equipped and the burden of the con vict consists simply in loading the coal. Free labor produces twice as much work as convit labor when work ing under similar conditions. T think, .however, that all companies should grant the convicts periodical days of j rest. "Convict labor produces 8.2 per cent of the total production of coal in Ala bama. Ten per cent of the accidents arc suffered by convict labor. Tn this connection it must be borne in mind that regarding convicts reports are made of every scratch while the re ported accidents among free laborers generally arc of deaths.” At this point Mr. McCormack ex pressed the opinion that it would be more profitable were his corporation to employ only free labor. Mr. Sha piro, whereupon, asked why he was making an effort to hold his convicts. “I will answer," he said. "Sometimes we make contracts to deliver at fu ture intervals considerable quantities of coal. The contracts provide that if we fail to deliver in accordance with the agreement the purchaser may go elsewhere for his supply and charge us that sum paid in excess of the fig ure of our contract. Tt is therefore necessary that we be assured that we can deliver according to contract and for that reason we work convicts. Formerly every third year there was a labor agitation and every July a month’s delay pending the signing of new contracts." Mr. McFormack was on the stand for more than an hour. He was followed by John TT. Bankhead. Jr., and W. C. Davis, who made arguments for and against the plan to abolish the lease system. The committee adjourned without taking action. WOODMEN OF WORLD ELECT OFFICERS St. Paul. July Id.—With only one ex ception. all sovereign officers of the Woodmen of the World. In convention here, were re-elected for a term of four years today. 8. A. Terrell of Pennsylvania was elected sovereign es cort. succeeding H. P. Slmrall of Mis sissippi Sovereign Commander W. A. Fraser of Omaha was re-elected by acclama tion. New York and Atlanta hid for the next biennial convention. Selection of a city probably will be made Monday. Commercial League The Blaeh’s team met their first defeat j of the season when they spilt a double \ bill with the Guarantee Shoers yesterday afternoon. Templeton hurled a remark abcl game for the Shoere and easily won hlb contest by the count of 10 to 3. The second game fell to the leaders by the count of 9 to 1. KtJ Mackln held the Shoes at his mercy and the merchant team ■ I — ... , - it ~- - - ■ -«• (Iheen Pros. We Give Kt8 Sumps Qheen Pros, j ’he Last Day and your dollar never did buy as much as it will today at Caheens This Rummage Sale has been a wonder from the first morning, but today, the last day, is going to be the best of all Read the offerings below and you'll see why—Then come early and get yours 1 69c Sheets Today’s Clean Up Sale 72x90 Sheets I 58c of Wash Dresses 49c I 72x00 Bleached Sheets, I I 81x90 Harvard Mills Seamless One lot of about 75 Wash Presses to be closed out. large hems, improved round thread sheeting lorn and these Presses are lett-overs trom last season’s selling. smooth seam center, | hemmed: a sheet that win wash Were $5.00 and $6.00 Presses. Soiled from heavy muslin, HA special6^ rfght 58c handling. Today for a quick sale, choice.fxI/L 35c each, or 3 for |S6 $7 and ss Wool Skirts $1.98 Silk Jersey Sport Coats A sale ot Wool Skirts that you will never forget. We ^ M f have gone through our regular Skirt stoeks and gath- QQ J ered together all the odd numbers, both blacks and col ors—-Skirts of all kinds of materials, serges, poplins, Today special—we are going to sell all pure Jersey Silk diagonals, gaberdines—Skirts that are worth up to Sport ('oafs, in all the wanted colors of rose, green, $8.00; for a big sale Q 1 QQ Copen and white, with patch pockets and Qr QQ today, choice .t. strap belts. Today only, special.<Pw*vO | $1.25 Table Cloths 95c Two-yard Table Cloth, hemstitched, large 2-inch hems, ready for use, made of full bleached mercer ized satin damask. Less than goods by yard. A strong $1.25 val up. Special .... 15c White Crepe 10c 20 pieces 33-inch Crepe Plisse, for making waists, dresses and undergar ments. A regular "| 15c value, yard .. $1 Long cloth 69c 100 pieces 36-inch English Longcloth, soft kid finish for all kinds summer sew ing. One hundred people can buy 10-vard holts f“lay.69c Colored Wash Goods In the Rummage Sale GIJVGHAM—Fancy dress plaids nnd solid filue, for rompers, dresses, shirts, etc. Standard apron gingham in all kinds of fancy and plain checks. Values up to 10c. New. crisp goods, right from the EMBROIDERER VOILE—The most beautiful patterns, elegant ly embroidered, 40 inches wide. Up to $1.25 value. iJ«/C niWM \I)RD ETAMINES—Embroidered in dainty patterns. 54 inches wide, $1.50 value.. All put in one lot. BROWN LINEN—36 inches wide, heavy weight, fine for ladies’ and children's wear, little boys' suits, shirts, fancy work, furniture cover ings. Rummage Rale, special rt»-| AMERICAN CALICO—Light and dark colors. j* Rummage Rale, per yard ... OC 311-INCH PERCALE- High count. The best percale made. Light col ors, for ladies' and children's wear. Lots of pretty shirt 1 patterns. Rummage Hale, per yard . AUC DliESh' GOODS BARGAINS—Copies of pussy willow silk, peau de eygne, silk organdy, beautiful patterns, now materia,]. • QfT-, values tip to 59c per yard. Rummage Rale, per yard. ODC VOILE New styles, Krupp kannon ball polka dots, awning stripes. Racdad stripes, floral patterns on white and tinted grounds. or new raised stripe voiles, per yard . . mOC LAWN—32 inch Darego batiste, all kinds of patterns, dots, stripes, flowers, figures and novelty designs. Values up to 15c -J r\ per yard. Rummage Sale, per yard .. AUC -. Today’s Big Sale of Muslinwear 75c House Dresses 49c Garments Worth Up to $1, Choice 39c A sale of House Dresses of the better kind. These are I I A sale of muslir. wear for today. it will pay you to he here and early. *h<3 f8™ 88 W* H"ld Z°" Monday. Another shipment Over boo garments of Muslinwear go in this lot for a quick sale. reached us yesterday by express and Will go on sale to Gowns, corset covers, drawers, skirts and combinations—garments M£llt and dark colors. Triinilied with braid 1 selling all season at $1.00 and more. All In one big QQ _ rllld solf-trimming. Made of good quality of A — lot for a big Saturday sale, choice .OJ/C ginghams and percale. Special .. . Tri/v* 12 Yards 7gc Middy Blouses 45c $2 Mosquito I Lonsdale Twenty-five dozen Middy Bio ises go on sale today. I I tj | TN mccDr Cl Splendid quality, in all white and white with red, DSllTS tjhl.DU UOmeSTIC tpl navy and Copen collar and cuffs. All sizes /IK/* Genuine 36-inch Green to 42 bust. Special sale, choice.*OC Large 90-inch Mosquito ' ; Ticket Lonsdale Domes- ■ —- ■ —— - ■ Bars, ready to hang, on j t* wt«wh“o: jrs T> ^ ^ frime; T18trong rjx.. si.oo iVAnrbn IjKUSj .... $1.50 lu Ordering Good* Pleuee Mention THIS AGK-BHjKALD 1 staved off a double defeat. The Blach i team is leading the Commercial league by I a wide margin. ' Batteries: First game, Guarantee Shoe, Templeton and Walters; Blach, J. Mackin i and Gilreath. Second game, Walters and Walters. E. Mackin and Gilreath. EPWORTH LEAGUE WORKERS AT CAPITAL Montgomery, July 16.—(Special.)—Ep worth league worker* from all parts of Alabama are in Montgomery in attend ance upon the twenty-fourth annual ces sion of the Alabama Conference Epworth league, which convened at the Dexter Avenue Methodist church this morning. One of the features of the meeting this morning was an address by the Rev. J. H. Williams of Phoenix, whose subject was "EpworthlanH In Mission Fields." At tonight's session an able address was delivered by the Rev. C. A. Rush, D. D.. piesidcnt of the Southern university of Greensboro, whose subject was "The Ep worth League as a Home Mission Force,” About 100 delegates are in attendance on the conference, which will remain in session until Sunday. THE LEANS CAPTURE FARCE FROM FATS The Leans of Inglenook defeat ed the Fats In a nine-inning comedy yesterday afternoon. The final score was 20 to 17. Score by innings: R. Leans . 403 507 010—20 Fats . 010 210 535—17 Batteries: Green and Dinkins; D. Robertaon and J. Robertson. Black Accidentally Shot Edmund Black was shot In the call of the left leg last night about 9:30 o'clock on a West End strest car when the pistol he was carrying dropped out of his pocket, causing the weapon to shoot. Black was sent to the Birmingham In firmary where his wound was dressed. He was able to go home afterwards. Definition From Judge. Flubb—What is a four-flusher? Duhb—It * a man who makes a i5-cen timeter demonstration and fires a Si-caU ber projectile.