North Carolina Newspapers

; ; rj;; - lU ONE SECTION - VOL.XCIX-KO. 194. WIMIKGTON, K.y ClTUf 4i AT MOROTKG, APRIL It)' 1917 WHOLE DUMBER 39,915 fa r - - "i ' ' v . .- . .. .. . . . ' .... , , 7 .- .. , " - . 1 . - - Brazil .Expiido GREAm flU STRIA HAD IT 5 Had Declared That War "With Germany Meant"Rupture'With Dual Monarchy Action Generally Expected : to t.ead to War, But President Wilsen Does Not Propose to Declare Until' an ' Overt Act is Comniitted'Charge Galls for Passports; , Ml WW SHIPS 111 U. S. HARBORS SEIZED ' ' : .- - 4 . . . v : " " -- - - " :- s: - . ... ..... I ... , .. . - as ' ' ' . . -. This May be Interpreted by Vienna Government as an Act of War. State Department Reviews Negotiations Conducted in an Effort to Avert Break With Austria-Hungary, Prior to April' 1st, When Final Notice Was Served on America. Washington, April P.--Atj stria-Hungary, ranging herself unre servedly with Germany, has severed diplomatic relations with the United States, precipitating a situation which generally is expected here to -lead to war.. .;? , .. , '.- - . . ." ;.-;- " . . Baron Erich Zwie.djnekr the Austrian Charge, asked the State De partment today for passports for liimself, iiis staff and the Austrian consular force in this country, and simultaneously American Minister btovail reported irom tJcrne mat Austria had-announced 'the break in relations to the American embassy in Vienna .yesterday. --' Immediately , the Treasury Department ordered the seizure of all Austrian merchant ships in American harbors. The Austrian crews were taken off and sent to immigration stations and American guards put on board. ' " ' J' . ; v May Be Considered Act of War I . . . . . '. . : The measure was. explained, as pure ly one of police caution, but It. is rea- lized that it njay be interpreted by Austria as an act of war. In a similar situation after the break -vrlVx Ger many, no ships were seized until a state of war actually had been - fleclar ed. Whether Bulgaria and Turkey are preparing to follow suit still is un known, but officials generally believe that sooner or later they will do Bulgarian Minister . Panaretoft - called on Secretary Lansing late today to ask if this eovernmant had an v in formation from Sofia, but was. told none' aa Deen received. oth Bulgaria and Turkey are believed here " to be eary of the war, but German domina tion of the Central European alliance s expected to drive them, as it drove Austria, to a break with Germany's lew enemy. , Telegrams prepared a week ago In anticipation of today's . development nave been sent to American diplomatic and consular officials abroad instruct ing them to wind up their condust of Entente interests in Austria, . and Sr. Austrian interests in Entente. ; coun tries. Spain will take over American interests in Austria, and Sweden will take Austrian interests here. Safe conduct of the Austrian officials on weir trip home will be sought at once from the British and French gov ernments. With them will , go , Count iarnowski, the newly appointed ' Aus- .'lu ambassador, who " arrived in ' w York on the day Germany. an nounced her oamnamn n1 .nithloga nilt TirU a . x . . nas refused to accept while fim 10ns Proceeded to develop-how " y the Vi-nna government - endori! eu the submarine policy of her ally." -' Austria Had Threatened, V n a statement tonight - reviewing nese negotations, the. State Depart ment revealed that on April 1, before Resident Wilson went . before Con eress to ask for declaration of a state war with Germany, Austria serveer 'ie that such a declaration would brea between the Washington and lionno - . . ficutk j,uvrnmenis. . j.nis noci- state Dpnat Jl an auiUf V.vU Lira th 'e AllStrion ! -r. . . . hei-;,, iureign omce irom ag- rillg fullv tr. U ..r. s Although the full text of tne corn ov ti exchanged was - not given -. the department's review dlsclos L'nit -i tp osition on the part of tto bal I a &tates to tolerate Austria's ver- Provid2!Ta.iment'of the German P0"6 tua' r were no ' 8tePs or AC" Cou-1tperation and no insistence that t'rpM Tarnwski be received by the there " th Part of Austria, tain f Was evidenc a desire to main- inp V. y relations, but an increase niir a"nny to do so becauss of Ger- ,r; Pressure. ; . - .r..-., i.ns;h war with Austria is Uintv ,Ilow to a practicable cer y 1 resident Wilson, is' described mm mm safety o nation m.ma U III I II . : II I ' 'I; - - -- m u a ig u , .u - , . t , . ; I HWOUtgMKEST ER sysIEKI HE THIHKS as having no intention of forcing it.. The belief is that the President wHi not ask - Congress to declar?, that "a state of war exists unless some overt act against .the United States is .com mitted. . r Officials here -vere without definite advices tonight regarding arrangement for withdrawal of the embassy staff at Vienna and other Americans in tnc dual empire. .Ambassaior PenficM al ready is In Switzerland, having been ordered more than a week age to start for . Washington for personal discus sion of ,the Austrian negot'i tions. It is assumed that no obstacles will be placed in "the war of the departure of American Charge Grew, his staff, the two hundred other, native Americans scattered throughout Austria r.r.d Hun gary, and such of the '1,500 , or . more naturalized Amri-jan- citizens who may care to leave. Baron Swiedinek and oiher Austrian officials in the Uniied Stalss probably will go home on a Swedish or Npr- Iwegian passenger steamer. Definite arrangement tor tneir trip wiu do made tomorrow by Swedish minister Ekengren, . in conference with .itate department officials tonight -Mr. Eken gren had not been authorized formalr (Continued on Page Twelve Munition Board Created To I-. Supply Fighting Equipment Twenty Army and Navy Officers and Industrial Leaders Charged With Task of Seeing That Land and Sea Forces Are Supplied, With Least Possible Interruption of-Industry. r Washington April ,9. Creation of a general munitions' board wasjannounc ed today by the Council of National De fense. It 'Will be. headed by. Frank A. Scott, a' Cleveland manufacturer, and wiil be charged with , supplying ,v the army 'and navy with munitions ,and equipment. One of its Jchief; functions win fee i to decide, be.tweenthe country'a military and: IndustrlalJeds.. The board's establisnxnent puts into the hands of a group of army and naVy" officers irid industrial leaders virtually the same task given the British, mini ster of munition. It creates machin ery for '.a .'government department of munitions, -with its head - a cabinet minister, if conduct of the war bringp the need. . : .J - ' - '. S? - - v . Tweaty men, ilte.en of them army and navy officers," make up Jthe board- Besides Mr. Scott, its. civilian .apemoers. are 'Bernard M." Baruch VHo ward President Throws Personal Inf lu- - encV Into Scales Against Op position in 'Congress SENATE AIRS CONSCRIPTION Compromise for- the Administra- tion Army Plan May be Of- ; fered by Its Opponents Washington, April 9,Presldent Wil son threw the weight of his , personal influence into the scales today in an effort to overcome opposition in.t Con gress: to "the administration army plans based on the draff system.' Summoning Chairman' Dent,-of the House Military committee, now considering the bill, to the White Hoiis'e, the President made it clear that he believes the;safety of the Nation hangs on. the. actio2t3igrass in tiris regard; -He Ct'ma'Ee" a 'similar positioa of the -military situation tomorrow to Representative Ahtfcohyi"!y of , fcansas, who has . led .opppslUon . to - the draft plan 'among Republican "-. members . of the . Military- committee. " : : rn ; his. action ' today ., .the President recognized the fact that there may de velop a strong feeling In .Congress In fa'vqr of adhering-to' the old volunteer system, a'nd sought to bring home to Mr. Dent, one of those who' holds that view," the lessons tobr drawn from the great war into which Jthe .United Statesrnpws-has' been.piungsd and which all point, military advisers of the gov ernment declare, to the absolute neces--sity . of facing 1 the issue squarely and summoning men. to the .colors by draft. ' - A compromise plan .may be offered by' the' opponents of compulsory ser vice.; A sentiment for- such, a move was evident in " Mr Dent's committee before whichr Secretary Baker and the military chiefs of the War Department assembled during the day to support the administration's' policy. There was no indication, however, that a compro mise would be accepted by the Presi dent. . ' , . .. . ' Senate Debates Conscription. - - In the Senate, debate On conscription occupied much time during discussion of the regular army appropriation bills left over from last session. - The ques tion is not. dealt with in the bill, but during the debate Senator: Klrby, one of the six senators who voted against a war resolution, offered an amend ment which would authorize the Presi dent to call volunteers in lots of half k million each. . The amendment vis subject to a point of order arid prob ably will be disposed of that way with out debate. J, As a result of Chairman Dent's atti. tude, it is possible that some other member of the House committee will (Continued' on. Page Twelve) ' Coffin, , Julius Rosenwald and Dr. Frdnkl in Martin. From the army there are Brigadier General Thomas .Cruse, Colonel PV G. Hodgson, Colonel VL Fisheri Lieutenant Colonel? J. E. Hoffer, Major P. E. -, Pierce, . Major" Charles Wallace ana Captain A. B. Barker, and from the ''navy, Rears Admiral' ' H; 'H. Rousseau;; -Rear Admiral . "W. S. r Capps,' Commander; R. H; Leigh,4- Commander T. A. Kearney, Dr. R. C. Holcomb, pay master J. H. Hancock, Lieutenant W.' B. Lemly and L. " McHowe. ' : 4 " -The' board will be expected ''to equip and arm forces called, into- service,, said the Defense; Council's announcement'; with the 'least posslbledisarratigemept of . normal. Industrial condition or- inV terference 'with.' shipments to the JBp. tente allies. Its immediate 'efforts -will be directed towards co-ordinating army and navy; purchases and'-ln assistingvin acquirement jof raw materials fori-maiii uf acture. It. will studyvthe 4 country's 1 maiiutacturing racmties and iwill -s- ta.blisliv- precedence . in . army, '.and navy! orders, - -: -w- .: , . v. -- siaia THE ECOURT FILES OPINIONS 111 II New and Important Rulings Defin ing Public and Private Rights ' ' Are Announced FUNDAMENTALS INVOLVED Some Regarded'as Marked Depar . tures Along.Prpgressive Lines Wages and Hours. Washington, iApril 1 9. New , and im portant rulings .defining public and jri- ate rights," some nsgavded as marked departures along progressive lines and involving I fundamental questions,! were announced today, by the Supreme ;Court in a series of opinions. The 'principal decisions werer li v- ;i . ' . -1 'x '' The Oregon law establishing a mini m"um wage for bmeii in any voccupa ttqif " was tipheld . as constitutional "by a parti6fpaiing because 'disquaiifieu. . - Oregon's law- fixing a .en-hour .day for ; workmen ' in manufacturing estab lishments was sustained I as constitu tional by a -vote of. 5 to 3! Chief Justice White and i Justices i Vande'vahter and McReynolds' dissenting, "with Justice Brandeis not ' particlpatng. , Price fixing restrictions by means jof "licenses" , for public use of - patented articles of the' Victor Talking Machine and many other corporations i were de clared: illegal and,, void, the. court di- viding, 6 . to 3, ; - Justices' McKenna, Holmes and - Varidevariter "dissenting. ;. Patent Monopoly 'Xtmfted. , Patent "monopoly . was .further cir cumscribed for public benefit by a rul-; ing . Jljat the Motion Picture Patents Company (the so-called moving picture trust) and others similarly circum stanced, cannot restrict use ..of . their patent machines to materials ?'licensed". for such use. . The antl-rebating clause of the Inter state Commerce Act was held by the court, in another decision,! to extend to railroads' payments on freight shipped by a European forwarding, agency,, the court declaring that "any payment' by a carrier to a shipper in consideration of shipping 'of freight over its lines is prohibited."; ( The la'w against fraudulent use of the mails, the court also decided, extends to those "causing- mail matter to be illegally deposited even though such persons do hot themselves physically potrt the matter. i Oregon Statute Upheld. Women's minimum-wage and men's hours of ' service laws, of many other states are affected by the decisions up holding; the two Oregon statutes. . In Uhe ''patent' monopoly" cases the plan by which such appliances ihave been given to; the public upon royalties with a license merely for. their use, not an outright sale, was declared void as a "poorly concealed purpose for main taining and fixing prices to agents and purchasers.". ' , ' - ' ': -: Reversing its ruling1 . in the ' "Dick Mimeograph" ; case,' the ..court - held in dismissing an infringement suit of the Motion - Picture Patents Company ...that patentees "of machines 'can not prescribe what other materials shall be used with their products. A contrary -.practice, it was declared, would be, gravely injur ious to the public interest, which is more a favorite of the law than is pro motion of private fortunes." ? Patents of . machines, . the court declared,- are limited . to. the mechanism itself.. . ; ,--r,jV:-: v'v 'Mexico ami Germany 'J Are .Communicating j -: ecl'ettyByheles Laredo, Texas," April,"! " 9. Com munication . between : Mexico , and Germany is being carried on secret' ly through a wireless plant '.located in j Salvador, which ; was ; , recently ; sent to that' country ; f torn -.Mexico,' actording, to Americans who have .arrived here from .Mexico. . It is said f that' the plant was set up . andS is- -manned ; by. -German . and that' it is of sufficient strength to- com .municate direct,'withBerlin . ..': The wireless: plants in Mexico, it is asserted, j are. not string enough, to communicate with Germanyj but are sufficient o( far,; as .the -receipt and del!verj? 'of 'messages "'to and from Salvador is concerned.' . MANY NOTED CASES United ALLIES Many Thousands Captured By British In Drive On Front 12 Miles In Length Starvation Conditions Frevail Among Fighting Forces of the Ger ; mans, Say the Piisoners, and Their Condition Indicates as Much. New. Activities Had Eeen Foreshadowed and Allies Hope J . It Will Prove the Beginning of the End. (By DONALD MacGREGOR) " .London, " April 9. Thev,great spring offensive by the Allies Is on. -On a . line .twelve miles long the Brit ish, bave' driven the enemy back two and three miles, establishing a new iine from" Giverichy-En-Gobelle, which is south of Lens, to Henin-Sur-Cojeul, twelve kilometers southeast of Arras. - By a heroic charge the Canadian troops .have takn the Vimy Hidge, of vast military, importance, -and now the heavy British guns are being placed on the ridge to dominate he region be yond.j . :: ' .- . ' ' Many thousands of ' prisoners have been s taken. A- report filed . r'at Field' Marsha - Haig's headquarters at 2 o'clock .this afternoon stated that 5,516 prisoners, including 1X9 Prussian qffi-cers-' had been counted as they pro ceededon their way under, guard, to; the' par ofTthe'firltlsh lines. -'Thousands of other prisoners were then be- as Correspondent (Associated Press. Correspondence) - With the British armies in r France, via 'London, April 9. The war on the western .f ront,' which ' has, been mov ing more rapidly in the last five weeks, broke into full swing today. Widen ing the attacks that they have been directed v against . the retreating Ger mans; in the sector of the Sonime, the British struck still farther . north and in a series of assaults on a broad front, with Arras more or less the pi votal point they - drove ,the Germans from f Scores of important t positions, penetrated far into the German" lines and Inflicted ; heavy casualties. : . A visit to corps headquarters this afterrtoon Indicated mat the number of prisoners taken in the last 12 hours will exceed 5,000. - The heaviest fighting today develop ed along a line a few miles southeast of Arras "' in a " northerly direction to the neighborhood of Lens but the ac tions extended far in the direction of St. : Quentin. In the,: territory, cap tured today was the famous .Vimy Ridge, which, had been ., fought- over, time and time again, ever since the war as ten months old.i .Back of the northern end of Vimy Ridge lie the principal coal fields of France which are still in German hands. ,- , The fighting on " Vimy Ridge ,was Naval COpwatioWThe Allies Subi eci After Conference Between Wilson and Daniels, It Besomes Known That Steps Are Under Way for Fullest Measure of Joint Ac tivity Part to be Played by Warships Not Revealed Washington," April, 9.; Naval co operation with the Entente allies was the subject of a long conference' late today . between ;: President Wilson v and Secretary Daniels. It became known "afterwards that - the " government is already taking steps to assure the 'full est ' measure of cooperative, .operation- V O -l :''?iv H,V ' Tlje t part : to be; played by American warships . was -v 'not revealed. ? One element of the. plans undoubtedly deals with -the - question! jof 'supplies- for the Entente governments Officials of the Bethlehem Steel Corporation and' oth er' steel ordinance companies": were .in conference with Secretary Daniels dur ing the dayv in - this regard,, 'An . agree mf ntV"fv tne''. -apportionment i of the facilities' of the plants .-"between... the j i American army 'and navy --- orders and ii States by This IS of Prisoners i ing concentrated at other points for transfer to the rear. , . German Troops Face Starvation. Starvation conditions prevail among the fighting forces of the enemy, ac cording to the prisoners.' Their physi- i cal appearance and condition indicates lack of proper food. The prisoners said that firing line troops were fed on sausage, while, those in the rear obtained ;arrot soup. - The fact that the German advanced troops have been- without . adequate food'and have complained to their cap tors indicates ' to ' military observers here, that conditions are worse in the German army than was supposed. 7 The British- attack, which began be-' fore daylight this morning, was fore shadowed -by trie brilliant offensive of the British- Jlying-, corps the .latter part of last 4week and the; attack on Zee brugge Saturday pight . : The new activities of the' French in Belgium aiso led tctimf expectation that Easter: Week,. Vo3gld ksee .. the be-r - (Continued , ,ou lage 'Three.) oeen dv an a r. With British Armies carried out by ' the -Canadians, who had retained a footing on the ridge ail winteTr, but always higher up was the enemy. ' On ' each, side of the Can adians were 'English and, Scottish bat alions and in today's- battle there was glory enough for all." The irrepres sible "tanks" . also shared in the hon ors of the -successful assault. One position captured to -the north east of Arras was a sort of - labyrinth of trenches enmeshed in multiple banks of wire called-"the harp,"' because of its shape. Prisoners had '. proclaimed this strong point practically unacces sable, but, sweeping -over it today, tne British took within it nearly a thous and prisoners and they captured also during, the day; three German . battalion commanders who compare in rank with a colonel in the British. The Canadians took 2,000 prisoners. '. AMERICAN STEAMER SEWARD SUNK IN MEDITERRANEAN Washington, April 9. The Amer ican steamer Seward was reported torpedoed and sunk without warn ing in the Mediterranean by a Ger . man submarine, in a despatch ' to the . State Department today from Consul Gaulin at Marseilles. AH of crew of 31 was said to have been saved. ' ; - the furnishing of war. supplies to the Entente nations was reached. Mr. Daniels Was also ' able to out line to the President the. steps that have been taken to establish submarine-tight coast patrol in. the saor.test possible time. Some part., of the patrol fleet is already in; operation. Num erous private yachts nave ; been donat ed to the government and ' are being armed and equipped, for -war; others have been purchased; and a large num ber of smaller power boats have been taken over, - .The crews are now being assembled. Later, when. ' the new coast patrol boats recently ; ordered are , de livered, , it , will be possible to again extend the scope of - - the patrol,' in suring merchant ..craft the most . thorr ough protection , possible as they ar rive in or depart front American ports. . ' Coart Towns, A"fc "Protection : i i . The Navy Department has been show ered "witlj requests -from coast towns and -pities - for ' the stationing, of . war fcraft in these "localities - to orotect :'" , (Continued , on Page Twelve.) Of Discussion y - Mprhing LAUNCHED BRAZIL READY TO BREAK OFF Awaiting Only Official Report From Paris onSinking of the . Parana by U-Boat. ;' SHIPS WOULD BE SEIZED? Dr. Muller Refuses to See German Minister and Orders Ship - Made Ready for Trip. ; Rio Janeiro, April 9.--rAn, early rupture of relations .between 'Bra- zilTand Germany is expected by tomorrow morning at the latest. The break depends solely on the lormaiity ot tne reception 01 tne official reportfrom Paris onthe sinking of the Brazilian steamer ' Parana by a German submarine. The break probably will be follow- ! ed by the seizure of German ships in Brazil. RefnMi to See German Minister Dr. Lauro Muller, foreign minister, has refused to receive the German min ister. Dr. Muller then gave urgent or ders that a steamer in Rio Janeiro be made ready at once -for a mission abroad. , , ' ' ,Dr. Muller conferred with , the war. minister and the chief - of ' staff. He also urgently requested a report from the Brazilian . legation in Paris. UNDOUBTEDLY MEANS BRAZIL ' HAS DEFINITELY 'DECIDED , ' Washington" April 9. In - Latin-' Arrierican diplomatic quarters here it was stated late today that Dr. Muller's refusal to 'receive the German minister- to Brazil .undoubtedly ; meant, that the government definitely had decided to sever diplomatic ; relations ' with : Germany. 1 ' " Dr. Muller's orders'- that a steamer be prepared "at once for a ' mission abroad" was interpreted as meaning that the Brazilian government also had determined to arrange for the Im mediate departure of ' the -German of ficials.. It was considered doubtful ; that 46 German ships in Brazilian por is would be seized at this time "unless it should appear that the vessels' might attempt escape' or were in danger of being damaged-or 'destroyed by thelra crews.' - - ' .'- : ' ' ' SHIPS SEIZED AT GALVESTON FOUN DDISABLED "ON ORDERS" Galveston,, Texas April 9. Dpuiy United States marshals late this after noon seized the Austrian steamer e Mo-row-it. ond Campania. 'The' captains, and crews of the seizedNshp8 were to be taken to immigration headquarters on Pellican Island, Galveston. Captain1 Rakos, of the Morowitz, some time ago took- out his first citizenship papers. ' No resistance was ogered, ... The Morowitz Is a vesael of 4,795'. tone and the Campania of 3,551 tons gross. Investigation by government author-. Ities showed that' the boilers , of btfth ships had been, disabled," rendering the ships unfit for service wihout consid erable repairs.. ' Under oath- the. two Teutonic captains, Rakos, of the Moro vitz, and Lupis, of,; the. Campania, Bald they had crippled tne machinery on or ders but would not say from whom the orders had been received. GERMAN TORPEDO BOAT SUNK BY AK ENEMY SUBMARINE Amsterdam, April '- 9, via London. April 10. The German torpedo- boat G-88 was torpedoed and "sunk- by in enemy submarine off the Flemish corst on the night of t April 7, according to an official statement Issued at Berlin. Most of the crew were saved. Earthquake Shock la MlMoaH. , . ' St, Louis, Mo., April a.-i-A dlstii ct earthquake shock was felt for. several ', seconfls this afternoon through - this.;, sectrtoni' .A number .of windows wer -broken and . several chimneys " wei J . knocked down. ' The '"after-vibrations IITHTEUTOIS t continued for eight minutes. - 1 ,r ('; , U'' , . . i :s .Ai. .-7T Si-V, '.:;H, ti -i