fU a Yea hi Advance.
VOL. XXV.
ENGLAND'S ANSWER
.'t -
A BIG BLOCKADE
ASQUITH SAYS GERMANY WILL
GET NO MORE SUPPLIES
FROM NEUTRALS.
IS TAKEN IN SELF-DEFENCE
Asks Patience of Non-Belligerents,
Saying That Allies Find it Ne
cessary to Adopt This Policy.
London. If the combined fleets of
Great Britain and France can prevent
it, no commodities of any kind except
those now on the seas henceforth
until the conclusion of the war shall
reach or leave the shores of Germany.
This is England's answer to Ger
many's submarine blockade and it is
to be effective forthwith.
Premier Asquith reading from a
prepared statement, made this . an
nouncement in the House of Commons
at a session. Studiously avoiding the
terms "blockade" and "contraband"
for these words occur nowhere in the
prepared statement the Premier ex
plained that the Allies considered
themselves justified in attempting and
would attempt "to detain and take
into port ships carrying goods of pre
sumed enemy destination, ownership
or origin."
The Premier emphasized, however,
that vessels and cargoes so seized
were not necessaryily liable to confis
cation, and begged the patience of
neutral countries in tfie face of a step
likely to injure them. He added that
in making such a step the Allies had
done so in self-denfense.
"We are quite prepared," he went
on, "to submit to the arbitrament of
neutral opinion and still more to the
verdict of Impartial history, that in
the circumstances in which we have
been placed we have been moderate;
we have been restrained; we have ab
stained from things that we were
provoked and tempted to do, and we
have adopted a policy which com
mends itself to reason to common
sense and to justice."
Every member of the House not at
the front in khaki or unavoidably de
tained was in, his seat and there was
frequent cheering. The galleries were
packed. When the Premier conclud
ed his set statement and turning to
the Speaker said:
"That sir, is our reply!" There was
a tremendous outburst.
Before the Premier had finished the
newspapers were on the streets pro
claiming: "Our answer to Germany.",
It was apparent everywhere that
the entire Nation had been chafing
for reprisals against the sinking of
merchant craft by submarines.
The Premier prefaced the reading
of his statement with these words:
"The statement declares in suf
ficiently - plain anil unmistakable
terms the view we take, not only of
our rights, but of our duties."
BOYCOTT JAPANESE GOODS.
Chinese Society of San Francisco
Starts Far-Reaching Embargo.
San Francisco. A nation-wide and
ultimately world-wide "boycott on Jap
anese products is the announced aim
of a Chinese society organized here
The embargo has been started by Chinese-Americans
in an attempt to force
Japan to recede from her remands on
the Chinese government.
. A propaganda-spreading campaign
for the formation of similar societies
In all the larger cities of the United
States was begun simufltaneously with
the organization of the parent so
ciety. Numbered in the new society, which
has not been named, but is described
by its secretary, M. Q. Fcag,a mer
chant, as a purely patriotic organiza
tion, is every Chinese merchant in the
city.
Mexican Gunboat Blown Up.
Washington. Private advices re
ceived here from headquarters of the
Ward Line in New York report the
blowing up of the Mexican gunboat
Progresso in Progresso harbor with
the loss of 19 of her crew.
Idaho Prohibition Bill Signed.
Boise, Idaho. Governor Alexander
signed the prohibition bill whteh
makes the manufacture or sale of in
toxicating liquor in Idaho unlawful
after January 1, 1916.
Russia to Get Free Passage.
Paris via London. The Temps as
serts that an agreement has been
reached between France Great Brit
ain and Russia regarding the future
status of the Dardanelles which will
give Russia free passage to the
!5 traits.
i -FOR GOD, FOR COUNTRY AND FOR TRUTH-
MISS MARIAN BANKHEAD
The honor of being the most beauti
ful and charming, of the South's fair
representatlve'at 'the 'national capital
has been awarded to Miss Marian
Bankhead of Jasper, Ala., granddaugh
ter of United States Senator Bank
head. She was selected as que'en of
the cotton ball, the event which closed
the social season in Washington. Miss
Bankhead is a student In Fairmont
seminary.
PASS AGRICULTURAL BILL
ONE MORE BILL CARRYING AP-
PROXIMATELY $23,000,000 PUT
THROUGH.
Seven of the Fourteen Appropriation
Bills Have Been Passed. Con
tinue Free Seeds.
Washington. The senate added the
agricultural bill, carrying approxi
mately $23,000,000, to the rapidly
growing list of suply measures passed
and debate on the naval bill began.
Seven of the appropriation bills have
been disposed of, and seven are still
awaiting action. '
After considerable argument the'
senate declined to support the action
of the agricultural committee in strik
ing out an appropriation of $235,000
for the free distribution of seeds. One
of the principal new provisions in
the bill i3 the $2,500 appropriation
for combating the food and mouth dis
ease among cattle.
Debate on the naval bill centers
upon committee amendments adding
several missions to the house bill in
cluding provisions for five sea-going
submarines instead of one and 16
coast defense submarines instead of
11.
The house began work on" the list
of the supply measures for considera
tion in that body,' the general defici
ency bill. It also adopted the confer
ence report on the seamen's billThe
senate now must act on it. Confer
ences on other' measures which' have
passed both houses are progressing
favorably.
That there is some hope of passing
the bill proving Philippine self-government
and ultimate independence at
this session became apparent. Presi
dent Wilson told several administra
tion leaders he wished the measure
'could have the right-of-way over , any
other general legislation and be pass
ed in the midsf of appropriation legis
lation if necessary.
Senator Simmons conferred with i
Chairman Hitchcock of the Philippine
committee and later Mr. Hitchcock
said he believed the bill, would pass.
WAR NEWS IN BRIEF.
London One sailor lost his' life
when, the small British steamer Dept
ford, 230 feet long and 1,208 tons, was
sent to. the bottom In 20 minutes either
by 'a German torpedo from a sub
marine or by coming in contact with
a mine in the North sea at , a point
off Scarborough. The 15 other mem
bers of the steamer's crew were saved
and were landed at South Shields.
Turks Report Victory.
Berlin, by via London Reports
from Constantinople say that a Rus
sian attack in the territory east of
Artzln, Trans-Caucasia, has been beat
en off by the Turks with heavy losses
to the enemy.
PLYMOUTH, N. C,
FIRST RESERVES TO
BE READY FOB IB
AMERICAN LEGION IS NEW OR
GANIZATION COMPOSED OF
FIRST RESERVES.
INCLUDES ABOUT300.000 MEN
Numerous Public Men, Including For
mer President Roosevelt, Endorse
the Movement
New York. Formal announcement
was made here of the formation of an
organization of first reserves, to be
known as the American Legion and to
be composed of former Army,' Navy
and militia men, which will better in
sure the nation's preparedness in
case of war. Capt. Gordan Johnston,
aide-de-camp to Maj. Gen. Leonard
Wood,' made the announcement on be
half of a group of Army and Navy
meri acting in an unofficial capacity
with civilians .in promoting the move
ment. Captain Johnston .said it wai
planned to establish within a short
time a first reserve of between 250,
000 and 300,000 former Army and
Navy militiamen for instant call in
case of emergency.
. Major General Wood has given the
plan his unofficial endorsement . and
former President Roosevelt has writ
ten a letter approving the proposal.
Numerous other public men have en
dorsed the project, and" a statement
by the promoters says that former
Secretaries of War and of the Navy
have agreed to act in an advisory
capacity.
Asserting that he and his four sons
will become members of the Legion,
Colonel Roosevelt, in a letter to the
organizers, says that in the event of
war he intends to ask Congress for
permission to raise a division of cav
alry. Mr. Roosevelt's letter in part
says:
"I and my four sons - will gladly
become members. I very earnestly
hope and pray that there will be no
war; but the surest way to avert
war is to be prepared for it; and the
only way to avert disaster and dis
grace in war is by preparing in ad
vance. OUTBREAK OF CATTLE DISEASE.
In One Heard Near Richmond 125 Af
fected. Governor Alarmed.
Richmond, Va. Following the dis
covery of 125 fully developed cases of
foot and mouth disease in a herd of
300 dairy cattle on a farm in Henrico
county, seven miles north bfj this city
Gov. Henry C. Stewart issued a quar
antine proclamation and announced
that he- would go before the Circuit
Court at once and apply for an injunc
tion against 18 railroads and steam
ship linesin Virginia to enforce their
full complaince with his recent procla
mation requiring that no cattle or
cattle feed be 'moved without the
proper Federal certificates. Governor
Stuart also ordered that within a
radius of five miles around the farm
where the outbreak has occurred there
be no movement of cattle or cattle
feed. Special deputies have been
sworn' in by the sheriff of Henrico
county and a virtual blockade has
been put into effect?
. The city has suspended its regular
inspection of dairies to prevent inspec
tors carrying the disease from one
herd to another. Gov. Stuart takes an
alarming view of the situation.
Russian Offensive Along Whole Front
London. The Russian offensive
operations apear at the present time
to extend along their whole front
an indication that they have brought
strong reinforcements into the field.
They have checked the German ad
vance in North Poland, where the
Germans are reported in retreat and
the recapture of Przasnysz after se
vere fighting, has given them an, ex
cellent pivotal point from which to
carry on further operations. ,
All the Petrograd correspondents
refer to the capture of a large number
of Germans as a new phase of the
war, and credit it to a lack of officers
among the German armies and the
large number of young untrained men
drafted into them.
The Russian offensive extends to
what is now known as the Bzura
Rawka front, where they successfully
opposed "Field Marshal von Hinden
burg's attempt to advance on Warsaw.
There has been heavy fighting in
Western Galicia and in the Car
pathians, but no notable changes In
the situation. In Eastern Galicia the
Russians report another repulse for
the Austrians who again have lost
a number of prsioners.
With Russia it would seem to be a
case of keeping up the supply of am
munition which the opening of the
Dardanelles would greatfy assist
FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 1915.
3WfiBtiigdd
' WILLIAM J. HARRIS
William J. Harris of Atlanta, the
present -director of the census, has
been selected by the president as a
member of the Interstate trade com
mission, according to generally ac
cepted report.
NOTE BEING CONSIDERED
BASIS FOR FURTHER NEGOTIA
TIONS IS PRESENTED, IT HAS
BEEN LEARNED.
But Still Points Out That Food Has
Not Been Declared Absolute Con
traband of War.
Berlin, via London. The American
identical note on marine warfare, sent
to Great Britain and Germany, U in
the hands of Dr. von Bethmann-Holl-weg,
Imperial German Chancellor,
and Gottlieb -yan Jagow, the German
Foieign Minister:. .
The German-. (jovrnment is not
ready to make public the contents of
the note, but it is said they may be
regarded as the basis for further nego
tiations. Certain of the proposals, as
an example the removal of the mine
fields around England, probably will
be unacceptable to Germany. ,
The German Government, it is said,
does not expect that Great Britain will
accept any proposals permitting the
importation of foodstuffs in to Ger
many. The Lookar Anzeiger says it learns
that the American note presents a
basis for further negotiations.
"Washington," the newspaper adds,
"'now takes hp the suggestions out
lined in the final passage of Ger
many's answer and makes proposals
which apparently'' are addressed equal
ly to Germany and Great Britain."
PUTTING UP A GOOD": FIGHT.
Fear That Renegade Utes Will Join
Old Polk's Band.
Salt Lake City, Utah Fear that
renegade Utes from the reservation
in Colorado will join Old Polk's band
of Piute Indians which has been bat
tling United States officers near Bluff
is expressed in a dispatch to - -The
Desert News.
Reports from the Colorado reserva
tion say the Indians believe the white
men. have killed 25 squaws and na
pooses and they are greatly incensed.
Marshal Nebeker has wired the
United States District Attorney at
Salt Lake City and also the Depart
ment of Justice at Washington that
he will use the 20 Navajo Indian po
lice he has requested be sent him to
assist in tracking the hostiles.
"My men will take care of all the
fighting," he said.
A scouting party found that Old
Posey, leading a small band of In
dians had crossed the San Juan
River to Navajo Reservation on the
south side.
Another scouting party followed the
trail of Old Polk and about 10 moant-:
ed warriors to re-capture Wash,
eight or 10 miles east of Bluff, but
was unable to determine whether his
movement indicated an attempt to
escape or an effort to obtain rein
forcements. Alabama Proriibit:cri6ts Get Hearing.
Washington. Alabama's plan to
prevent liquor advertisements and
solicitation of liquor orders from be
ing sent through the mails to prohbi
toin territory was incorporated in a
bill introduced in the national house
of representatives by Representative
Abercrombie. The bill was drafted
by a delegation sent here by the Ala
bama legislature to confer with Pres
ident Wilson, Postmaster General
Burlson and mmbers of the Alabama
congressional delegation.'
Cej
APRESSIOtl IDE
BY AMERICAN NOTE
ENCOURAGING REPORTS ARE BE
ING RECEIVED FROM LONDON
AND BERLIN.
GERMANY REPORTS WILLING
Difference of Opinion in Englano,
Some Favoring, Others Wanting
Further Restrictions.
Washington. Encouraging reports
from both Ambassador Page at Lon
don and Ambassador Gerard at Ber
lin were received concerning the atti
tude of Great Britain and Germany to
ward the latest American proposals
for the safeguarding of neutral com
merce and the unrestricted shipment
of foodstuffs to the civilian population
of .belligerent countries. The United
States does not expect complete re
plies for several days.
Germany's willingness to make con
cessions and negotiate for an under
standing on the submarine food and
mine question already has been mads
known informally and the United
States expects a formal acquiescence
In a day or two. All eyes , now are
turned on London, where opinion is
understood to be divided on the merits
of the , suggestions. Some leading
British Cabinet members are said to
favor In principle the American pro
posals as a means of solving the prob
lem with as little Inconvenience to
neutral countries as possible.. Another
element, however, Is said to be im
pressed by the military value of fur
ther restricting supplies to Germany.
The exact nature of the American
proposals is still unknown because of
the rigid reticence of officials here and
abroad, but each day adds informa
tion on the subjecct. Briefly this
much of the contents of the American
suggestion's now has been confirmed.
' The United States has "asked that
the previous rules of international
law with respect to shipment by
neutrals of conditional contraband
destined to the civilian population, and
not the belligerent forces of an
The removal of all floating mines by
Germany and Great Britain, is pro
posed except mines used for protec
tion of coast defenses and harbors,
pilots to be furnished to guide neutral
s.'iips through fields that remain.
MANY BIG SUPPLY BILLS PASSED.
Congress Speeding Up to Be Ready
For Adjournment.
Washington. Congress worked
steadily on t$ task of cleaning up sup
ply bills which must be out of the
way before adjournment on March 4.
The Senate ' passed naval bill,
$152,000,000, the fortification bill, $6,
000,000, and the diplomatic bill, $4,
200,000 while the House spent the day
debating the general diflciency meas
ure, with interruptions now and then
to dispose of conference reports.
The" Senate added about $8,000,000
to the naval bill as it passed the
House, providing the two-battleship
construction program, for five sea-
'going submarines instead of one, for
16 instead of 11 coast defense subma
rines, fbr a gunboat and a hospital
ship, and adding $1,000,000 for an ar
mor plate and $500,000, for a projec
tile factory. ' ,
Senator Smdot vainly sought to have
authorized the' construction of 50 sea
going and 25' coast defense submar
ines, declaring that "no man can tell
when the European disturbance will
involve this country in difficulties."
Mme. Bernhardt Still Improving.
Bordeaux, via Paris. Dr. ,' Denuce,
attending Mme. Sarah Bernhardt
whose right leg was amputated re
cently, said the condition of the pa
tient continued excellent and that
hereafter no daily bulletin would be
issued. Mme. Bernhardt -continues
to receive many messages. Many
come from the United States.
''Chicago Players. at Tampa.
Tampa, Fla. President C. H. Thom
as, Secretary R. B. Cook. Manager
Roger Bresnahan and 12 players of
the Chicago National League Base
ball club arrived here.
Bill Effects Common Carriers.
Washington. Senator Newlands in
troduced a bill in the senate to em
power the interstate commerce com
mission to examine all papers of a
carrier, including correspondence. It
would amend the law to meet the su
preme court's decis'on that the com
mission did not have power to inspect
the correspondence of the Louisville
& Nashville Railway. Mr. Newlands
submitted communications from Act
ing Chairman Clements of the com
mission and Attorney General Greg-
lory, urging that the bill be passed.
NO. 36.
SPEAKER WOOTEH
OF HOUSE IS DEAD
PENUMONIA ADDED TO fNJURIES
" OF ACCIDENT, ENDS BRIL
LIANT CAREER.
FUNERAL HELD AT KINST0N
Body Escorted by Guardsmen, As
semblymen and State Officers.
Services Largely Attended.
Raleigh. Hon. E. R. Wooten,
speaker of the house of representa-.
tives, died from the injuries he sus
tained on the morning of Friday, Feb
ruary 19. in an automobile accident
that also caused the instant death of
William T. Aycock, engrossing clerk of
the senate. Pneumonia had develop
ed in connection with Mr. Wooten's
injuries and all efforts to buoy the
sinking vitality of the patient were
unavailing.
Immediately after the death the
flags in the. state house were placed
at half-mast and (governor Craig,
Lieutenant Governor Daughtridge, as
president of the senate and Speaker
Pro Tem Bowie of the house confer
red as to arrangements for the escort
of the remains to Kinston for inter
ment. In consequence of arrange
ments made the remains were taken
to Kinston, there, in the Wooten
home, to await the funeral ceremonies.
With the remains, in addition to the
nierqbers of the family; were Adjt. Gen
Laurence W. Young, and a military
honorary guard of one sergeant and
six guardsmen selected from the com
panies of the North Carolina Nation
al Guard here. There was also a spe
cial committee from the senate and a
committee from the house appointed
respectively by the president of the
senate and Acting Speaker Bowie of
the house.
Acting under instructions of the
presiding officers of the senate and
house, Senator . Gilliam and Repre
sentative Thomas, of Union, had
procured floral tributes on the part
of the. senate and house and there
were quite a number of other lovely
designs sent by admirers of Mr. and
Mrs. Wooten here.
The special committtee named by
President Daughtridge to especially
represent the senate consisted of Sen
ator O. Max Gardner, Cleveland ;
Senator Johnson, Duplin;, Senator
Ward, Newbern; Senator Thompson,
Onslow; Senator Harding, Pitt; Sena
tor Snow, Wake; Senator McLeod,
Robeson: Senator Washington, Wil
son, and Senator Gilliam.
Those appointed by Acting Speaker
Bowie to especially represent the
house are Representatives Roberts,
Buncombe;' Thomas, Anson; Mintz,
and Allen, Wayne; Clark, Baden;
Hanes, Forsyth ;r Grant, Onslow; Kit
trell; Hutchison. Mecklenburg; Tuck
er, Pearson and Noland.
At the bedside when Mr. Wooten
died were Mrs. Wooten and children,
Mrs. J. C. Wooten, mother of the
distinguished young speaker. Mr.
Harry Wooten arrived from Kinston
soon after the death, accompanied
by Mrs. Clarence Oettinger of Kinston.
?5r. Wooten served numbers of
erras as city attorney for Kinston,
county attorney for Lenoir, was an
active and enthusiastic trustee of the
University, served ably as representa
tive in the past four sessions of the
general assembly, was elected speaker
of the house at the opening of the
present session by acclamation and
as making an exceptionally fine
record as presiding officer when the
accident cut short his brilliant career.
Thousands of Kinstonians and ad
mirers and friends from all sections
of the state attended the funeral: The
services were conducted in Maple
wood cemetery, Kinston, by Rev. C.
W. Blanchard, pastor of the First Bap
tist church. The finale of the service
was the playing of taps by a militia
trumpeter, the bell of his horn to the
setting sun.
E:mett R'.' Wooten ' was born in
Crave County and "was the son of
the late Sheriff John C. Wooten and
Mrs. Mary Wooten of Kinston. The
rother survives. He was 36 years of
age.
In April, 1904. the rising young at
torney was married to Miss Nannie '
Cox, the youngest daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. E. F. Cox of Kinston. Mrs.
Wooten has been with her husband
since the accident, which cost him
his life. Two attractive children.
Emmett R., Jr., aged nine and Grac.
aged seven, survice their distinguish
ed father.
Elected representative from Le
noir county for the third time last
November, Mr. Wooten was, a day or
two prior to convening of the present
General Assembly, named Speaker by
Democratic caucus.