WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA. SATURDAY EVENING; MAY 25, 1918.
FIVE CENTS
MEXICO BREAK OFF
ALL HER RELATIONS
UNCLE SAM'S PRIVATE GRAVEYARD, WHEN PEACE COMES
GERMAN PLOT IS
lOwrrtWttt 118: Br Joha T. MoOtrtcheon. J
VOL XXIV. NO. 136.
BEING LAID BARE:
WITH
CUBAN NATION
Carranza Has Recalled Charge
From Post at Havana
LIBERTY IS RESTRICTED
Aguilar Says Measure For
Interest and Life ,of
Two Nations
CUBA ALREADY AT WAR
Diplomatic Efforts Would Not
Produce Any, Results and
Would Strain Tension
in Relations
Mexico City, Friday, May 24.-
ico has severed diplomatic relatk -
with Cuba. This was learned officii s
ly late today, after a report" that th 3
Mexican charge d'affaires at Havani 3,
and the Cuban minister ' here had v
1 a n 11 a J ff-SrV Vl ft . WtsWAAKlTAl
posts, had been confirmed at the for
eign office. . ,
The recall of the Mexican represen
tative to Cuba and the suspending for
an indefinite time of the sending of a
new representative, is explained of
ficially as due to the fact that because
of the war in which Cuba is Involved,
that government has been obliged to
dictate measures that affect the inter
ests of the Mexican government in
many instances.
For this reason, it is declared, the
making of representations that the
Mexican representative would be
forced to make to the Cuban gbvern
ment would be useless and would re
strict the liberty of action or a friend
ly nation which is now in an afflicted
situation.
The Cuban minister to Mexico, pr.
Ezequiel Garcia Ensenat, has not yet
arrived in Mexico City, having been
appointed only recently. During the
interval, Dr. Luis Santamaris y Calvo
has been acting as charge. It was re
ported recently that he would leave
for Cuba on a vacation and would re
turn with the new minister.
The Mexican charge at Havana is
Alberto C. Frano. -
General Candido Aguilar- minister
of foreign.. affalfsitifoijjgta
a - statement'- tortaeaimounced" . pur
pose of . avoiding ' a. misinterpretation
of Mexico's actionC The statement
follows: . "
"The president of the , republic and
the cabinet, at a special meeting, has
decided that it was an imperative nec
essity to recall the Mexican diplomatic
representative: to Cuba and to suspend
for an indefinite period the sending of
a new representative, because it was
considered an indispensable meas
ure for the high ideals and interests
of the two nations in the actual mo
ments of an acute world crisis. The
state of war in which Cuba is involved
has obliged the government of ,Cuba
to dictate measures which in many
cases affect the interests of the Mexi
can government- and her citizens, and
for this reason the Mexican legation
would be called upon to make frequent
representations to the Cuban govern
ment which would only be useless and
which would restrict the liberty of ac
tion of a friendly nation which is now
m afflicted situation.
"In consequence our diplomatic ef
forts would not produce at this time
any practical results and would only
produce tension in our relations, which
would have to be cleared up later to
maintain unbroken the fraternal sen
timents of solidarity which have al
ways bound us to the people of Cuba
ana all Latin-American countries.
"Mexico, upon recalling her diplo
matic representatives from Cuba, gives
eloquent proof of her consideration
and respect for the sovereignty of a
friendly government which is now
passing through a critical period. At
the same time it furnishes proof of
confidence, in virtu - of which the
Mexican government expects her citi
zens will be treated with all the
benevolence that the laws of Cuba
and her institutions permit under
which protection they will remain in
that republic the -same as her own
nationals.
'In so doing, the Mexican govern
ment complies faithfully with the line
of conduct which President Carranza
aas proclaimed UDon innumerable oc
casions as the highest ideal of a true
ociety of nations, the equality of na
tionals and foreigners alike, and 'com.
Piete submission of all to the
"unai sovereignty. The crisis having
Passed, as th fine in -arhipYx nririna i
jhe revolution in our country, is pass
es over, Mexico and Cuba will be in
a oetter condition to renew diplo
matic relations upon the basis of jus
tice and. equality only, and the great
aspiration of the Mexican government
u ner new international relations."
l Not Confirmed.
Havana, May 25. The report that
Mexico has severed diplomatic ' rela
tions with Cuba could not be confirmed
we early today. In official circles
ia.t n srM it. was stator! that thoro
v J?l absoluely no foundation for
a report. The Mexican charge
naires left Havana yesterday for
a exico City but visited President
-uocai before leaving.
u. iai ays aeo mere were rumors
"at relation a Kocn n 1
presume vi . . .
Soi - . y were oasea upon tne Fa-
"'a inp riant A c .i.ix.
V s from President Carranza to Pres-
ident Menocal on ' tne occasion of the
celebration jot the sixteenth anniyer
sary of Cuba's independence- on May
20 apparently served to discredit the
rumors. . -,
On April 20 baggage belonging to
Ysidro Fabela, Mexican minister to
Argentina, was stolen from an employe
of the Mexican, legation in' Havana
while he was "taking it to a vessel on
which Fabela was to sail for South
America. Two days afterward the
baggage was returned.
der of Crowder Is an Indi-
ect Conscription of Labor
OATERS" BE STOPPED
59 No Increase in Draft
Age and Stream of New-
Workers
YOUNG MEN FOR ARMY
Clubs, Hotels and Restaurants
Must Use Women For
Waiters Men to Fac
tories and Shipyards
By FRANK P. MORSE.
Washington, D. C, May 25. A
quickening of the entire program of
America's industrial and military ac
tivities is the purpose back of Provost
Mirshal General Crowder's sweeping
regulations requiring every man of
draft age to work for the war or fight
The step taken yesterday was the "re
amendment to the selective service
suit of a' carefully thought-out and
slowly laateured Wan and one that has
the active, support of. the administrar
-- uBew qraer may pe -regarded as
an mairect conscription of labor for
munition factories,: shipyards, railways
and other industries considered as im
portant to the winning of the war as
the army in the trenches. Its first'
important effect will be a quick term
ination of the drift of "floaters" from
one occupation . to another. Able
bodied men, within the draft age, who
indulge in the now-popular practice of
departing from a steady occupation to
seek higher wages in another will find
themselves snapped up by their draft
boards and sent to the front whenever
their excuses for temporary idleness
are not accepted as entirely satisfac
tory. The two most significant results of
the. order will be a postponement of
any increase in the draft age and the
establishment of a steady stream of
new workers to war industries that
are now handicapped by a lack 'of
labor. The first is an objective which
was keut in mind by the, military ex
perts. It is their wish to postpone the
age limit increase as long as possible.
This desire is not based on any
thought of protecting men between the
ages of 30 and 40 from trench duty,
ut is in accordance with the convic
tion of experts that men under 30. can
be developed into soldiers much quick
er than older men and are far better
able to stand the hardships of war.
, The development of human material
for the war industries is expected to
progress beyond the acquisition of
men within the draft age. It is per
fectly apparent that many clubs, res
taurants, and hotels that now employ
men. as waiters nd attendants will '.be
cmDtelled to substitute Women for
these occupations. Whenever the new
rule hits such an establishment with
particular force, the management will
be compelled to shift entirely from
men to women. The consequence will
be that older male employes will find
their life-lone occupation automatical
ly ruled, out of existence and will be
compelled to turn to important indus
tries -where the call for labor is in
sistent and unceasing.
American theaters are -expected to
engage immediately corps of girl ush
ers to take the place or young men,
a majority of whom are within the
draft age. It is significant, however
that, actors are specifically excepted
from the ruling. The Washington
e-overnment is well aware of thefval-
liable work for the war and for war
charities that has been done by the
people of the stage. Moreover, it is
realized that the theater is a wonder
fully well organized institution for the
distribution of the wholesome propa
ganda that has become a.modern war
necessity. In addition, government
officials., Drofiting y Great.Britain s ex
periences, realize the - necessity for
suitable entertainment intne evening
wh fe'-!lkv labored
hard all day in essential occupations.
This viewnoint. however, d6es. not
necessarily apply to baseball and other
daylight sports'.
Reports received .today from every
section of the United States indicate
that America's non-essential industries
are makine swife preparations to obey
the Hrnwder ruline at once, without
reeard for the time , limit allowed
Feminine operators Of elevators, girl
ushers and waitresses ana women at-
QUICKER PROGRAM
FH WAP 1RTMTIR
vii ui in nu 1 1 1 1 1 ilu
THREATS
OF.
July Roe 50 Points in Early
Session of the Gotton
Market
New Orleans, May 25. The effect
of the threatened investigation of cot
ton contract trading by Secretary
50 points in the early session of the
future market. Other months rose 35
to 42 points compared with the closing
quotations of yesterday.
Brokers and traders generally ap
parently believe that an investigation
which had as its object the restoration
of more normal price differences be
tween spots and contracts would work
in favor of contract values. The dis
patches from Washington telling of
the proposed investigation caused a
sensation before the opening and 'a
buying wave resulted as soon as the
trading of the day commenced.
2
E HUN PLANES
HAVE BEEN SHOT DOWN
U. S. Aerial Pursuit Squadron
Operates Over Amer- . .
ican Sector
With the American Army in France,
May 24. American aviators have shot
down two more German airplanes
northwest of Toul. The victories
gained in the fighting on May 22 have'
been confirmed.
The official statement issued at
American headquarters in France Fri
day night said that it was established
that American aviators brought down
two German airplanes on May 21. ?
An American aerial pursuit squad
ron is now operating over, the Amer
ican sector northwest of Toul, it is
now permitted to announce. All the
pilots whose air exploits' have been
received up to this time belong to this
squadron, which has ft special insignia.
The squadron is flying in Nieuport,
chasing machines. "" ' '
ROOSEVELT CHARGES
WILSON TO BLAME
Washington, May 25. A reply by
Theodore Roosevelt to Postmaster
General Burleson today In their, con?
tr6versy over alleged discrimination.
by the postoffice department in treat
ment or publications, presented to the
senate today by Senator' Poindexter of
Washington charged that the admin
istration had played for and against
different newsppers and magazines
and that President Wilson was direct
ly responsible.
The administration, Mr. Roosevelt
declared, has condoned the anti-ally
atitude of certain publications among
them the Hearst newspapers while
embarrassing those that have madf
honest criticism of the conduct of thj
war.
tendants in institutions which hereto
fore have employed only men will soon
be working in active competition with
the rapidly-growing army ' of khaki
bloomer wearers that has become an
important part: of the organization in
munitions and other' war factories.
Ill
SEND
PRICES
UPWARD
MO
LEAPS FOR SAFETY
INCREASED LOSSES
AS MOLD A VIA SANK
London, May 25. --Less than a quar
ter of an hour after the British armed
merchant troop ship Moldavia, with
American troops on board, had been
torpedoed off the southeast coast of
England on Thursday . morning, vir
tually every mam? had one.t over' the
liiowm ana uryae jsosieyr oi worm
Troy, Vt., leaped from the deck' and
were drowned. Had it not been for
this, the losses, which are given of
ficially as 56 American soldiers, would
have been confined to those killed
by the explosion of . the torpedo.
The Bosley brothers were on guard
when, the ship was struck There was
a sharp list, and they evidently be
lieved she was turning over. Search
was made' for them, but they were not
seen after they jumped overboard.
Captain Johnson, an American offi
cer, who was on board the Moldavia,
gave a Daily Telegraph representa
tive this account of the sinking:
"The ship was struck just forward
of the engines on the port side. All
the troops were in their bunkos sleep
ing in tneir apartments. unere was
a loud explosion and then the ship's
whistle was blown, which was a sig
nal for everybody to" come on deck.
The men had been assigned to par
ticular boats and boat drill had been
held every day. The men assembled
in perfect order. Their discipline was
splendid. Ihe best J ever saw
"The. Moldavia listed to port, but
righted herself and ran on for about
15 minutes to avoid being, hit again.
Then she began to sink rapidly. Orders
were given -to. lower the boats and
rafts and we got off.
"Destroyers had been ; circling
around us all the time and as soon aa
the Moldavia was struck theydrppped
several depth charges. No second! tor
pedo" was fired "and we saw' nothing
of the 'submarine. We remained in
the lifeboatfr until the ship sank when
we were takenvon board the destroy
ers. 1
'As soon as the men got aboard the
boats and rafts they began laughing
and singing, nd .when the ship sank
they gave three cheers.
"Of the 54 (56?) missing, two are
corporals and : the others ' privates. I
believevall were killed iy the explo
sion." . ;
- American troops ori the way to the
battlefields of France to tne number
of .56 have, been lost in the torpe
doing ? of the 'British steamship Mol
davia' by a Germatn!5fmart,ie in the
English channel. A 4?-, "!:A
Few details ;JZ the ' agedy ?haye
been? disclosed: -Tbej&rlcan sol-
betoilecpule when .iji.velsel waslpERSHING REPORTS
W&T TWO OFFICERS. DEAD
succeeds 'in. - tfettt&irw r unseen.
According I Cf stylyrjM6ldavia
was near HSfl southeast coast of Eng
land 6n her way to annglish port.
Escorting deBtroyerp rescued the
survivors -who had fallen into line on
th& deck of the ship immediately after
the torpedo struck near the bridge.
The soldiers lost all their belongings.
The loss of the Moldavia parallels
the sinking of the Tuscania off the
northern coast of Ireland last Febnir
ary with the loss of 101 American
Soldiers. The calmness of the .'sbl
diers, most of them new to the sea,
iZhd the- prompt work of the rescuing
destroyers were the same. More
- ithfcn 2000 American troops were on
the Tusrania. while the other vocr
ship ' with' Americans sunk by the
Germans, the Antilles, was returning
JOHNSON
HE
E
TO WIFE
Young Dentist Looted Fa
tigued When Court
Opened Today
Richmond, Va., May 25. When the
trial of Dr. Lemuel J. Johnson,
charged with wife murder, was re
sumed in the Hustings court this
morning, the defendant, who began
testifying yesterday in his own behalf,
looked somewhat fatigued and did not
seem as buoyant as when he began
the narrative of his life's story in an
effort to prove his innocence.
Johison made a series of denials to
day in regard to the alleged purchase
and disposition of poison by him. He
was cautious in refuting certain testi
mony about alleged visits to drug
stores and buying a certain poison.
"I did not give my wife any poison
on the night of December 10, or any
other night," said the defendant shorlS
ly after he had resumed the stand.
Johnson told the jury that Detective
John F. Wily' kept after him to -'tell
where he bought the poison that killed
Mrs. Johnson. He said he never pur
chased poison from any one,' except
a weak solution to be used in cleaning
dental instruments. The poison that
killed Mrs. Johnson 'was in powdered
form in a capsule.
RED CROSS FUND
$1
Officers Hope Minimum Will
Be Doubled Before the
Drive Ends
Washington, May 25. The Red
Cross second war fund today reached
and passed the $100,000,000 minimum
total mark and telegrams, announcing
subscriptions continued to flow into
Rational headquarters at a rate that'
'swamped the compilers. ,The exact
'figures could not be determined by the
officers, who expressed hope the' fund
minimum would be doubled before the
-drive ends.
Washington, May 25. General Per
shing,, in his communique for- May 24,
reported to the war department the
deaths on Wednesday of two.,Amer
ican 'officers: Lirst Lieut. Walter V:
Barheby, signal corps, and Second
Lieut.' Kenneth P- Colbert, U.S.M., as
a result of injuries received in an alr-
Jlan fall. Before they died they were
ecorated with the war cross.
from Europe. Seventy were lost in
the sinking of the Antilles.
In the same territory where the
Moldavia evidently, went down , the
Cork steamer rhnis Carra was sunk
Tuesday morning, while on, the. way!
from Fishguard to Cork. Thirty-seven
were lost, only five members pf. .the
crew oeing s
DENES
AV
fill
HAS
PASSED
AMERICAN AIRMEN
NOW PATROL UN
E
Sector Northwest of Toul Now
Occupied by Sammies
U. S. MACHINES DOWNED
Six German Airplanes Are De
Itfoyed Aloiigr the Fight
ing Front
TO SOON JOIN ITALIANS
Weather on Spniirie and Picar-
dy Fronts Has Changed
For Worst No Hun
Attack Expected
American airmen- now patrol the
sector northwest of Toul and a squad
ron is acting as . the .eyes .for and pro
tector of the American. troops on this
front. The recent -activity ' of Ameri
can airmen in the region of SU Mihiel
was carried on- by this squadron,
which also Is aided by other American
aviators. Two American machines
have fallen, while at least six Ger
mans have been brought down by the
Americans. The sector, northwest of
Toul now is all Americans. The gun
ners are Americans as are the . men
in the trenches, while over their
heads fly other Americans with a dis
tinctive insignia on their, machines.
American troops alsojunay be soon
fighting the Austro-Hungarians in the
mountains of northern Italy. As the
climax to the celebration of Italy's en
trance into the war in New York, Sc
retary of War Baker annouS that
machine and artillery units soon would
be standing side by side with - Gen
eral Diaz's men. Strong patrol and
artillery continue in the Italian moun
tain front . ., ... - -
Therhas been no change in the sit
uation on the battlefields of northern
France. Both sides continue their
raiding operations, withthe Germans
paying most attention to the line be
tween the Somme and Albert. Else
where on the front :betweeniYpers attd
Rheims, British and French patrols
have captured prisoners. ,
The weather has changed for the
worse and rain is reported falling gen
erally on the Somme and Picardy
fronts. This imposes additional hard
ships on' the Germans who occupy the
shellrtorn lowlands while the allies
hold' the high ground, most of wnicfc
is unscarred by war.. If the German
were not prepared to attack when the
weather was most favorable It is not
likely they will essay a new offensive
operation while rain and mud retard
their- movements. ' '
GERMANS SHELLING
AMERICAN CEMETERY
With the American Army, in France,
Friday, . May 24. The Germans ' have
been deliberately shelling an Amer
ican cemetery near the frdnt in Pi
cardy. ; Recently .one grave was torn
up foul; times.
It m&y be cited in contrast that the
Americans -in this' sector, a few days
agotook 4 German -prisoner who was
mortally wounded- He died and was
accorded, a Christian funeral .and
burial in the American cemetery near
the, fronts His grava.was- marked in
the same manner as others :
- 1
America's Entry Into War in
1917 Blocked Revolt !
SITUATION IS REVIEWED
Facts of Recent Arrests Can
not Now Be Disclosed
to Public 'I.
1 1
HAD NO OTHER COURSE
Story Told of How Sinn Fein
ers Were to Carry Out Re
volts As Planned and
Outlined by Germany ;
London, May 25. Germany's uritir
ing efforts to foment revolution in Ire
land with the aid of the Sinn Fein
are laid bare in a statement from the
official press bureau, reviewing this
phase of the Irish political situation
since the beginning of the war. ,
After the abortive rebellion of Eas
ter week, 1916, plans were made for
a revolt in 1917, but this miscarried
because of America's entry into the
war and Germany's inability to send -troops
to Ireland. An uprising in Ire
land was planned for this year after
the German offensive in the west had
been successful and when Great
Britain presumably would be stripped
of troops.
Concerning the recent arrests In
Ireland, the statement says that facts
and documents, for obvious reasons
cannot be disclosed at this time, nor
can the means of communication be
tween Germany and Ireland.
One phase of 'every plan called for
the establishment of submarine bases
in Ireland. In ' the present circum
stances, it is added, no other course
was open to the government "tt use
less bloodshed was to be avoided and
its duties to fts allies fulfilled, but. to .
intern the authors and abettors of
this criminal intrigue."
The statement from the press bu
reau, in part, follows;
"The revolutionary movement' in,.
Ireland which culminated in --the ar
rest of a considerable number of per
sons last week , consisted of two close
ly related series orwctrrities ::
"A. ' Attempts by the .-German gov
ernnient. fo foment, rebellion In Irefc
and. '' :v j-
"B. Preparations made . in Ireland j
to carry these attempts Into action. ;
"The story of the active connection
between the leaders of the Sinn Feini
movement and the Germans, as dis-1
closed by documents in possession of!
the British government, falls Into two j
parts the period prior, to and the' pe- f
riod since the abortive Irish rebellion i
of Easter, 1916. - ;,
"The events of. the first period can!:
be told in some detail, but the sec- .
ond period which concerns recent i
events, permits of no more than; a' i
summary, as a full statement on the
facts and documents in possession of
the government would disclose the
names of persons whd stood by the
government, ana aiso tne cnanneis or.,
communication through which the Ger.
man government was acting and which
it would not be in the public interest!
to reveal at present.
"The story begins as early in thei
war as November 6, 1914, when Herr,
Zimmermann transmitted through!-
Count von Bernstorff a message from 7
Sir Roger Casement (later captured'
in Ireland and executed) asking that ,
a messenger, a native-born American'
if possible, be sent to Ireland ''with.'-'
word that everything was f avorable.
He was to carry no letter for fear of' ,
arrest. v. Casement also asked that an
Irish priest should be sent to Ger
many with the assistance of the Ger-,
man legation in Norway to work In,'
prison camps to corrupt Irish prison
ers of war. This priest was a certain
Father John T. Nicholson, an Ameri
can citizen of Irish birth. He. reached
Germany safely, and vwe find him in
January, 1915, transmitting messages
to America. -
"According -.to a . report of Captatu'
von Papen (German military attache
in Washington), dated December 5,
1914, yerbal assurances -were sent In. .
response to Casement's request that
an excellent impression had been pro
ddced in Ireland; In the beginning of
1$1S the plot ripened aad on Febrtn '
ary 10 of that year Count -von Bern
storff- sent to a covering address in . . . ';
Rotterdam a dispatch signed with thsi., '
name of Skal, one of his principal
American agents.
I ; The dispatch included an extract
front, the report of John Devoy, head
of the Clan-Na-Gael, to the effect that
action in Ireland could not be post"
pohed longer, since he feared the ar
rest of "the leaders.. It had been de
cided, se said, to begin action on
Easter-Saturday, and he urged that
arms land ammunition be in Limerick '
by that:date.
"Later tn the same month von, Bern-,
storff, foUowing his usual practice,
surreptitiously attached to. a message;
to Berlin, passed by the American
government, a note fixing Easter-Saturday
for the uprising and urging thei
dispatch -o munitions . In time; On '
March 4; von Jagow (German foreign
minister) replied that the arms would,:
be landed in Tralee nay and. asked,
that the necessary arrangenients be ,
made In, Ireland through Devoy. , , :
"On March 14 von Bernstorff replied ;
Uiat the Irish agreed and that 'full de "
(Continued on Page Sevenii
5U
w mi-
1
-r-i-
m iv
I i: t
mm
. H . I ... , -
mi
r