Newspapers / Asheville Citizen (Asheville, N.C.) / Feb. 13, 1917, edition 1 / Page 1
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THE ASHEVILLE CITIZEN 'I p THE WEATHER f FAIR. CITIZEN WANT ADS BRING RESULTS VOL. XXXIfl, NO. 113. ASHEVILLE, N. C, TUESpAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 13, 1917. PRICE FIVE CENTS 2 AMERICA REJECTS GERMAN PROPOSAL GERMANS EXPEL RELIEF C SSIOM omm GERMAN OFFER TO DISCUSS DIFFERENCES WITH THE U.S. MEETS A FLAT REJECTION America Will Not Consider Any Discus sion While Ruthless Submarine War fare Continues Proposal Delivered to State Department by Swiss Minister. Going Some WASHINGTON, Feb. 12. The United States has flatly rejected Germany's offer to discuss differences be tween the two nations while the ruthless submarine (cam paign is in progress. In a note today to the Swiss minister, who on Satur day presented orally the German proposal, Secretary Lansing said the United States "does not feel that it can enter into any discussion with the German government foncerning the policy of submarine warfare against neu trals which it is now pursuing, unless and until the. Ger man government renews its assurances of the fourth of May (the Sussex note) and acts upon the assurances." Makes Public Reply. The state department made public the secretary's re lv. together with a memorandum which at Mr. Lansing 's fc-uggestion Dr. Ritter, the Swiss minister, had prepared last night, setting down in writing the suggestion riginally transmitted orally. Previously officials had- de lined to confirm the announcement by the Associated resi7Saturday afternoon that such a proposal had been deliY t'd by Dr. Ritter. ' view of the fact that the United States has taken 1 he x)st" vigorous course possible short of war to denounce th ruthless submarine warfare, officials of the govern ment regard the German proposal to negotiate while the campaign is in progress as utterly insincere. , - Hove Resented. From the first the move has been looked upon and resented as a piece of propaganda designed to becloud the j identic not to an neutrals n proposed ssue and put the United States in a raise position ot bel- war, to be followed. In the event of raiiure, by the cutting: on ot an ex ports of munitions and supplies to belligerents. lgerency. The miestion of whether navv suns shall be provided for American ship owners desiring to arm their vessels tuTZTnt T fteg-rl. charge of the Csrranza em bassy here. It was received with ex pressions of mingled Amusement ana gravity In official quarters. There had been no decision tonight as to the American government's1 response, but the prevailing opinion was that Sec for defense against submarines has been submitted to President Wilson. The state department has recom mended that the guns be provided. There is said to be no authority under which the navy . 1 . 1 i uifj pi waning ulmihuu was mtvi oeu- department can actually supply the guns, though there . retary Lansing would reply promptly ..-I Al Af nuonnnc nnloi. Knurl frr nl briefly; referring to the futile ef ell e pi cccucjiio iui . wic luamuf, ui njmj "vuu fort of President Wilson to bring MEXICAN DE FACTO GOVERNMENT ENTERS LIST AS INTERNATIONAL PEACE MAKER IN NOTE ADDRESSED TO ALL NEUTRALS Carranza Proposes That All Neutrals Unite to End Great War in Europe, and In Event of Failure, to Cut Off All Exports of Supplies and Ammunition to All Belligerents Diplomats ' See the Hand of Germany Behind the Proposal. WASHTNGTON, Feb. 11. Revolu- which recently - attempted to solve 'from that the commerce of the neu-tion-swept Mexico's de facto govern- border dlfflcnjtlefi. Luis Cabrera, mln- tral countries of the whole world, and ment enteted the lists as an Interna- , later of finance in Carranza's cabinet, particularly that of America, has a tional peace-maker today. With an ! and head of the Mexican commission- great responsibility before history, be- era, suggested to the Americans that cause ail tne neutral nations, more or he had hoped the commission not only less, have lent their assistance In would settle disputes between the money, In provisions, in munitions, or United States and Mexico, but might in fuel, and In this way have fed and bring peace to the world. An embar- ! prolonged this great conflagration, go on export was his plan. I "IMjrh Human Morals." Mexico's exports to Europe are con- "By reason of high human morals siderable and of vast Importance to and for their own national preserva the entente allies. Enormous quan- tlon- tne neutral nations are obligated tltlee of oil for the British fleet are to abandon this procedure, and also drawn from the English-owned oil , to refuse to continue lending this aa flelds on thfe Mexican east coast. slstance that hue made possible for The Not (continuation of the war for over two The Carranza note handed to the ars- To thl d the Mexican gov state department by R. P. De Negri, ernment, acting within the most strict churn of tha Maxiran ftmhamv nova respeci lor me sovereignly 01 ma AMERICAN COMMISSION FOR RELIEF IN BELGIUM WILL WITHDRAW THEIR FORCES Action Taken In Response to Order by Germany That All But Few Members Must Be Withdrawn Expulsion Offc ially Reported at Washington. IX'NPON. Feb. II. The American commission for relief In Belgium has ottlrlally notified the German authori ties that the Americans will withdraw from participation In the relief work in Belgium and notliern France. This step was taken In reply to an order from the German authorities that Americans must withdraw from the provinces of Belgium and north ern France, leaving only a few of their representatives, headed by Brand Whitlock,, American minister to Belgium. In Brussels. The action of the commission is explained in the following statement which was given to the Associated Presj! today by directors of the com mission in ondon: Action Explained. "We are advised February 12 (CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO) REVENUE BILL FINALLY Big Fight on Reduction of Oleomargarine Tax is Expected. OTHER FEATURES. GERMAN PROPOSAL FOR RE-AFFIRMATION OF 0L0 TREATIES IS PRESENTED countries at war, inspired by the hlgh- ln part "Over two years a under existing conditions, an embar- ' armed conflict which history records, self-conservation and dol!!""'El'I? ago there began on !. humanity senUmnte. and I guided at the most gigantic " "me time by the sentiment of from Brussels that Director von Dcr Lancken (civil governor of Brussels) had notified him that American citizens could no long er occupy positions In connection with the commission In the occupied territories of France and Belgium, but that a few Americans, among them Brand Whitlock, might reside In Brussels and exercise general super vision over the work. Mr. Whitlock, however, was to have no diplomatic stand nig. Further, automobiles and means of communication would be denied Americans. ' Refused Offer. "After earnest consideration with Ambassador Page, the directors of the commission In Ixwdon, acting In ac cord with Herbert C. Hoover, chair man of the commission, instructed Mr. Gregory to Inform the German authorities that In view of their Order that the Americans could no ' longer exercise their function la th ccu pled territories and that as under these conditions the American mem bers of the communion could no longer carry out their responsibilities and undertakings to other interested governments and fulfil! their duties toward the peoples of Belgium and northern France, the Americans would officially withdraw from par ticipation on the work of relief In the occiroled districts.- "Mr. Gregory was advised to ar range for all his men to leave Bel glum Immediately, except a few who (CONTINUED ON PAGE! TWO) breach of spreading death, desolation and mis ery among the belligerent nations. This tragic struggle has deeply wound ed the sentiments of humanity of all the countries, nut taking anv nar- tlclpatlon In the struggle, and It would not be just or humane that these na tions should remain indifferent before such great disaster. A deep senti ment . of human brotherhood there itstlf to propose to the government of your excellency; as It Is also doing to the other neutral governments, . that, working in mutual accord, and pro. ceedlng upon the basis of the most ab solute equality for both groups of combatant powers, to Invite them to put an end to the present war, either by themselves or taking advantage of the good omces or or tne rnenaiy rat Sent to State Department Through the Swiss Ambassador. WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 Final ap proval of the administration revenue bill as amended by the democratic caucus was voted today by the senate finance committee and Chairman Klmmons was authorized to report the measure and urge its passage as soon as possible. There will be a big fight on the floor of the senate over the amend ment reducing the oleomargarine tax from ten to two cents a pound. Many democratic senators oppose It and were not bound by caucus action to support the proposal. The eight per cent net profits tax. Increased inheritance taxes, munitions excises and proposed $100,000,000 bond Issue of the house bill all are retained In the bill as it goes to the senate, the whole calculated to raise approximately $350,000,000. The net profits tax la limited to run until July . 1921 and the munitions taxes would -xplre six months Instead of a year ter termination of the European Xn amendment to the language of no excess profits tax to clarify Just whatuld Constitute capital Invested, reads as follows: , tlf. ,,nVand Partnership, and Z "employed U jwoea pro..- include BEING. TRANSLATED. WASHINGTON, Feb- II. Ger many's proposal for a re-affirmation of the old Prussian-American treaties of 1799 and 1828, with a long list of added clauses to modernise and ex tend provisions relating: to the treat ment of enemy residents in case of war. baa been transmitted, formally, to the state department by Dr Paul Ritter, the Swiss minister here.' This is the proposition former. Ambassador Gerard refused to consider when the uerman ro reign om.ee, after the Unit ed States had broken relations, sent It to him in the form of a protocol with the intimation that if he did not attach his signature, Americans In Germany might be held hoitu in Insure good treatment of Germans In mis country. The document. submitted In French, .Is being translated.! Officials familiar in a general way with its na ture, said today it apparently was so different from the original treaties that It virtually constituted a new one, and strong doubt was expressed that the United States would enter int negotiations on the subject. Most Important amone- tha new nrn visions suggested by Germany la one extening exemption from ssiaura in case of war between the two countries of "merchants and their effects" Into an exemption specifically mentioning enemy ships which are la port at the time of the outbreak of ir mnA hik In 1 either must be left free In port -or go on exports would be neutrality. Action Denounced. Among entente diplomats Carran sa's action was denounced as another evidence of German Influence In Mexi co, and as a further effort to becloud the Issue and, embarrass the United States In the situation resulting from Germany's new submarine campaign. Officials of the government Were not so outspoken In voicing their" opin ions, but those vio commented In- der to bring about the cessation of formally frankly expressed the same i the struggle. view. J "The present F.uropean war seems proposal similar to the one now flagratlon, as a great plague that order to confine the conflagration to brought forward officially was made ought to have been isolated and llm- i ' strict limits reruslng to the oeing- at one of the closing sessions of the Ited long ago In order to shorten liferents all kinds of elements and stop- Mexican-Amerlcan Joint commission duration and avoid its extension. Fsrl (Continued on Page Two.) fore obliges the Mexican government UaUn. of all he nations that Jointly ... i7. ,....i i- .may accept this Invitation. "if within a reasonable length of time peace cannot be established by this means, the neutral countries w'll then take the necessary measures In ASK BIG APPROPRIATION ' TO PR0EF00D PRICES Inquiry Will Be Started as Soon as Money Question is Arranged. AMERICAN SAILORS ARE STILL HELD IN GERMANY hi huimesi: . - w money or other property rw th. corporation ot ft e oorpor J?Tim r otherwise. er erldenceo " woui4 permit honSriVnt of duty given safe conduct to their own ports. presumably even Jn face of a blockade conducted by hostile governments. Also sections are added forbidding in ternment Of restriction upon the lib erty or freedom of movement of en emy nationals, and reaffirming the old provisions allowing merchants nine months to dose up' their busli by giving bona . xtflusivebr for m 1rr and ruaranteelns tha i. sugars wouia " .i.v,uw, T, . WASHINGTON. Feb. 12. ADoroval for a $400,000 appropriation will be asked of President Wilson by the fed eral trade commission and the depart ment of agriculture for the food price Investigation they are about to start at his direction. The inquiry will be be gun 'as soon as the money Is available and, a plan of organisation la worked out. It will go deeply Into charges of Being Retained Until Status of German Sailors Here is Learned. REPRESENTATIVE POU IN EULOGY OF LINCOLN CONSIDERATION OF THE ANNUAL NAVAL BILL IS' COMPLETED IN THE HOUSE Final Vote on the Measure Will Probably Be Taken Today. BIG APPROPRIATIONS. North Carolinian Praises the Martyred President in Speech in House. 12. WASHINGTON. Feb. 12. Formal notification of the retention In Ger many of the seventy-two American .sailors brought In as prisoners on the prize ship Yarrowdale, was given to the state department today by Dr. t-aui Kitter. Hwiss minister here, act- outherners who spoke In congress to- Ing for th--German government, to- ... . , , , lt , .v. i i ' day on Lincoln. He described Unco In price manipulation and restrain of BUUu of the crews of the German war as divinely Inspired and appointed, trade In violation of the anU-truat .,. m Am.rican harbors. ."An all wise Ood," he said, "so pl.n- At lea six month, will be L'lLl m" ' "' wr it was said today, before any sort .of .r, llt,tti .h. had tiAr.it. uaur- 'roundlngs, so arranged his associa- ance that German crews In American )tlons that by means of him. He had harbors would not be held or Impris-'kept us one nation, sovereign, grand oned. ' . and free. The story of his life is our This development, wholly unexpect- greatest national asset." ed. was amaslng to tha American gov- North Carolinian wrote, "stand ernment Omclals here had come to .by the president," on one of the reply the conclusion thst the early reports I postal cards sent a North Carolina which misled the German government j member today. These cards were part as to the treatment of German crews of a propaganda for a referendum to Citizen's Bureau, Waahington,, D. C. February (By Nixon S. Plnmmer.) Representative Pou. of the Fourth 'or n appropriation of $1,000,000 to congressional district, was one of the WASHINGTON. Feb. 12. Consid eration of the annual naval bill, ap propriating about $365,000,000 to con tinue the building1 program and carry ing various emergency provisions re quested by the administration to meet the International crisis, virtually was completed in the house today, and the bill be brought to a final vote tomor row. Under a special rule an administra tion amendment giving authority to take over private shipbuilding plants In time of stress was adopted, and the construction authorisation for the coming year as agreed on In commit tee was approved after various amend ments to enlarge and curtail It had been voted down. The section author izes one battle cruiser, three battle ships, eighteen submarines and twenty vessels of other types. Only two amendments remained to be disposed of when the bouse ad journed. They are the proposals for a $12,000,000 additional appropriation to fit nawy yards for construction and REASON FOR HOLLAND'S REFUSAL TO JOIN 0. S. IS FOLLf EXPLAINED Five German Army Corps ' Concentrated on Border is the Answer. . 4 SUBJECT OF GOSSIP. report can be made and a year is the estimate of the period necessary for a complete inquiry. The trade commission's observations will include the work of the farmer, the packer, the commission dealer, the wholesaler and the retailer. Experts will go Into every detail of food pro duction, distribution and consumption. Tables prepared within the last few ' here had been effectively dispelled by days bearing on food prices for ltlS how. that during the year there was a general advance in prices from ten to one hundred per cent. Some of the staple articles and the amount of their price Increases are-.. . Sirloin, eleven per cent; ham. twenty-one per cent; lard, twenty- nine per cent; nour, eleven per cent; egga, eighteen per cent; butter, four teen per cent; potatoes 10 per cent: agar", twenty-five ner cent: milk, four, the forwarding of complete details. A query was st once cabled to the governor of Hawaii the only section where German ships are war-bound where all the conditions are not known. There la not the least thought that any variation will be found there In the uniformly courteous treatment accorded German vessels. Eventual release of the Yarrowdale prlsansr is regarded as assured but an argent protest against their rsiro- yrieenmeat wlU be made at once. the people on the question of war with Germany which pacifists are urg ing. Rufus Gates hatf been made post master at Mount Sterling, Haywood county, vice Mrs. Utba Clark, re signed. THE WEATHER. WASHINGTON, Feb. 11. Forecast for North Carolina: Fair with dow ry rising temperature Tuesday; Wed MSdar. fair and warmer. . - . . ...... . COPENHAGEN. Fnh l xri. t -. ' don.) Five German army corps eon- centrated on the Holland frontier fur ntsh a fairly convincing mnl.n.tin. in default ef other reasons, tnr tha. failure of the Dutch government in adopt the policy toward Germany i recommended by President Wilson, on account of the German submarine campaign. That German troops were as sembling In fairly large numbers In the vicinity of the Holland border had been the subject of gossip in Berlin military circles for several weeks be--fore Dr. von Bethman-Holl weg's an nouncement of the new submarine campaign. Their presence there at a time when Germany was talking of peace Instead of a policy that would weigh most heavily upon neutral In- 1 tereots was then usually explained as ' a precautionary measure, or even merely characterized as part of a plan, for the distribution of strategic re servee for the spring campaign. Some doubt was raised concerning the lat--ter explanation. . Whatever the cause of the con- force of German Holland border niirrha.. hamlr Latent of aircraft. Both were recommended by Secretary I centratlon, a large r.ni.i. nri ara HTMrtad to oasa. troops was on the Before the amendment providing "f." e""an nuration of ,ub for taking over private plants was ! r"ne r and President Wilson s adopted, the house struck out a sp- 1 1"1"1 t0 "!! nations to Join with cine authorisation for suspending ' n,erIca ln Protecting neutral In-elght-hour labor regulations In emer-ijre" against Germany brought to gency. The provision was rejected on " "Pno tne question of Hoi the ground that the navy omciais al ready have that authority. CELRATIO!f ENDS. CUWBERUAND GAP, Tenn., Feb. It. The three day's celebration of Lincoln's blrthdsy and the twentieth anniversary of the LJncoln Memor.al university, ended here tontgnt. It said that $200,000 to ths university ment fund. Resolutions were unanimously adopted pledging support to Presi dent Wilson in tne present interna tional crisis. Male students or tne university also adopted resolutions to enlist in ths event of war. The principal address or the after noon session was delivered by former land s potable action In reply to the ""'"" campaign. Tneir bayonets emphasized the economic and political re?s wny IIollnd is unwilling to' follotf counsel whlcn It was feared might have drawn the little kingdom Into the great European war. Rumors were heard, too. in neutral quarters In Berlin before the de parture of the Associated Press cor- rMinnnil.iil that ?1 V. - 4 w . . 2 JMLs i0 ln Hollands strategic scheme s $l,(K0.Ov0 endow- of MrttM against Germany, which. as is known. Involves flooding Berts of the country In front of the selected . first lino of defense. According to these' reports. It had been .discovered that attempts to flood these district would lay under water " a far greatar area than , had been . contemplated and would throw the general achemefof Holland' defease . in confusion. are to close the commission's affairs1 and take uteris to .see that there bo no interruption in the service pend ing the re-organizatiun of the work." Outgrowth of Committee. The American commission for re lief In Belgium was the outgrowth of an American committee formed In London at the outbreak of the war which aided stranded American tour ists to reach their homes from Paris' and London. Herbert O. Hoover was the prime mover In both organlaa tions. Contributions from both neu trals and belligerents have supported , the commission, which has chartered whips to take foodstuffs and other supplies' to Belgium for distribution through American citizens to the needy persons In Belgium and north-, em l-Yance. More than ten million by Director Warren C. Gregory , persons were dslly dependent on the commission, whlnh expenfd about $18,000,000 a month tor their relief. International negotiations ln with the various belligerents topper' mlt of relief supplies being, taken Into the occupied territory were carried on, through the. Amrlcan ambassadors In London and Berlin, and the American minister at Brussels. Mr. Hoover, realising that the Unit , ed States might become involved in the war, obtained the patronage of the Spanish and Dutch ministers and ambassadors ln London,' Berlin and. Brussels and at every oriels which has threatened to draw America into the war the commission has had the support of the Spanish and Dutch diplomats'. Mr. Hoover In a recent address lit . New. York said ' that no matter what ' occurred In, the relations between' thej United ttat and any of the being ersnts, 4he feed In oft he topulationd of northern France and Belgium would $o on. i v; REPORTED AT WASH'l .VGTSDX. ( WASHINGTON, Feb. 12. -ExpuU eton toy the German military author! j ties of the American commission for relief In Belgium and nothern France, after its two and a half years of de voted eervlo during which the great" eat and most sustained relief work In . history was built up, was officially r. ' oorted to the state department today In a telegram from Ambassador Pag the) mo ft Scale iottloi jrfect IqulA make- ;taka H I ' ' It W Take you A to ork. Liver P mass, ache Tour'. nor dUn fceaaxoc Towns, of Minnesota. .. . . . . . r .svftrwaes.
Asheville Citizen (Asheville, N.C.)
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Feb. 13, 1917, edition 1
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