Former British Ambassador to U. S. Makes Report on Alleged German Outrages
HARRISBURG WmSm TELEGRAPH
LXXXIV — No. 110
'U. S. IS PREPARED FOR
EVENTUALITIES, WILSON
TELLS BERLIN IN NOTE
Contents of Note to Germany Will Be Announced as Soon
as It Is Presented to Officials For Delivery; Chief Ex
ecutive Realizes Gravity of Meaning in Message and
Is Prepared For Eventualities That Might Arise From
the Presentation
Washington. May 12.—The United States government in a note to Ger
many to-day formally demands of the imperial government a strict ac
counting for the loss of American lives In the sinking of the Lusitania and
violation* of American rights in the war zone. It also asks guarantees that
there will be no repetition of such events or practices.
WITH THE PLAIN INTIMATION IX IT THAT THE I XITED STATES
IS PREPARED TO MEET ANY EVENTI AI.ITY THAT MAY ARISE
FROM A NONCOMPLIANCE. THE COMMUNICATION. PHRASED IN
UNMISTAKABLY EMPHATIC LANGI AGE, WAS PREPARED TO BE
CABI.ED IXI BERLIN BY NIGHTFALL.
Written by President Wilson and approved unanimously by members
of the cabinet the note was being carefully examined by Counsellor Lan
sing and the law officers of the government and the State Department to
day to make sure that its phraseology covered ev ery point of law involved.
The White House otficially an
nounced the fact that the President'
had finally determined the course of
action to be pursued, in the following
statement issued by Secretary Tumulty
after a conference with the President:
"The course of the President has
b«en determined. It will be an
nounced just as soon as It is proper to
publish the note now in preparation."
Await Reply From Berlin
This was taken to mean that the
American government, observing the
usual diplomatic amenities. would
await the receipt of the communica
tion in Berlin before making It pub
lic. At first there was some sugges
tion that the communication be sent
personally by the President to Em
peror William, but Mr. Wilson deter
mined that It should be addressed not
to an Individual but to the German gov
ernment and through It to the German
people.
. As for reparation. the United
naturally will seek financial
preparation, but Its protest now is in
the name of international law and
humanity to obtain a guarantee that
such tragedies will not be repeated
and lives of noncombatßnts sacrificed.
While high officials and cabinet offi
cers were reticent to discuss its con
tents. it was agreed that the note
voiced the intense feeling of the Vnited
States over the occurrences in the war
zone and wanted an explanation of
them as well as a guarantee that they
would not be repeated.
Reviews Every Case
The communication lays stress on
the Inhumanity of the attacks without
warning, on merchant vessels. It re
views in a general way every case in
the war zone in which the rights of
American citizens have been trans
gressed—the sinking of the steamer
Falaba with the loss of Leon C.
Thresher, an American: the attack by
German airmen on the American
steamer Cushing, the torpedoing of
American steamer Gulflight while fly
ing the American flag. and. finally the
destruction of the Lusitania. with the
loss of more than a thousand noncom
batants, more than one hundred of
them Americans.
The note, while firm and pointed,
does not abandon tones of friendliness,
giving room for a disavowal by Ger
many of her acts or an abatement of
her practices. This is Intimated in the
suggestion that the German govern-
To big business
You set the pace for
the little fellow to fol
low.
Assert your confluence
by buying NOW Instead
• of "waiting a while."
Then the smaller ones
will buy and we all be
sellers.
This Is the time of all time for
the U. 8. A. to make vast strides
—Let's all get busy.
Buy-It-Now
THE WEATHER
F»r Harrisburg and vlrlnltyi l/ B -
Mttlfd this afternoon, to-night
and Thnradnv, probably showers)
not much chanter In Irmprratarr.
For Eastern Pennsylvania: Unset
tled to-night and Thursday, prob
ably ahonerai moderate winda,
mostly aoutheast.
River
The Snaquehanna river and Itn
Y principal trlbutarlea will probably
not rhanse materially. Some of
the streams may rise somewhat
' as a result of showers in the
■ est thirty-six hours. A stage of
about 4.2 feet Is Indicated for
HarrtahnrK Thursday morning.
General Conditions
The moderate disturbance that waa
central over the Middle tiuir re
gion. Tuesday morning. U now
central over Northern llabama,
apparently moving slowly north
eastward. It has paused general
ratna In the last twenty-four
hours ao«.<h and east of the Ohio
river with heavy showers.
Temperaturei S a. m..
Hani Rises. 4iA4 p. m.t seta, 7KW
p. m.
Moon: New moon. May 15, lOiSt
p. m.
River Staget 4.2 feet above low
water mark.
Yeaterday'a Weather
Highest tempeatnre. 74.
Lnweat temperature, 4».
Mean temperature, S2.
\ r i i«sl temperature, #O.
ment and the German people could
certainly not have Intended to sacri
fice American lives in the pursuit of
their maritime warfare.
l'nited States Not Informed
Attention is called to the fact that
while advertisements of warning ap
peared in the newspapers, the l'nited
States government was never otficially
informed of it, but irrespective of that,
the position is taken that the serving
of notice to an unlawful act neither
justified it nor makes it lawful.
The note calls on Germany for an
explanation of her past and future
course and leaves open the steps the
l'nited States will take to compel an
acquiescence in its position.
Cabinet officers known as the ad
vocates always of vigorous steps in
foreign affairs were highly pleased.
They said the President's document
fulfilled the desires of every Amer
can and upheld the dignity and
honor of the United States indicat
ing that the American government was
prepared to go to the full length of
Its ability.
London Papers Praise
President's Address
London, May 12.—Most of the morn
ing papers fail to comment editorially
on President Wilson's Philadelphia
speech. The Standard, however, praises
the address and says the President
"has shown during these trying weeks
of German insults a moral courage of
the highest order."
"It is rather satisfactory." the Stand
ard continues, "to note the calm and
pacific tone of President Wilson's first
public utterance since the disaster, for
no interest of ours would be served by
America's entrance into the war, and
[ such a development might in many
ways inure to the enemy's advantage."
The Express offers its opinion that
the speech was too idealistic and adds:
"We understand, of course, that to
turn the other cheek requires exalted
courage, but it is unfortunate such a
course is absolutely certain to lead to
more suffering. Germany has taken
the world hack to the fourteenth cen
tury; President Wilson is eager to drag
us before our time into the twenty
second. Nobody in this country, how
ever, has any desire that the United
States be involved in this war unless
Impelled by its own pride."
The Mail prints a column of Inter
views with prominent Americans In
London, all expressing disappointment
that the President's Philadelphia ad
dress did not include a forceful de
nunciation of Germany's action.
17 Bodies Taken to
Queenstown Aboard Tug
Queenstown. May 12. — The bodies of
nine men and eight women who per
[Continued on Page B.]
Attacks T. R. For Calling
Disaster Act of Piracy
Berlin, via London, May 12.— The
attention of Baron Mumm von
Schwarzenstein. who. after long years
of diplomatic service, is now occupying
a high position in the German foreign
office, has been called to the sharp
criticisms of Germany in the American
press in connection with the sinking of
the Lusitania, the words attributed to
ex-President Roosevelt that the sinkg
ing of the Lusitania was the greatest
i act of piracy in history being especially
I emphasied. The baron authorized the
I following statement:
"If Mr. Kooecvelt used these words,
then he hurled an Insult at Ule whole
ticrman people which we hitterlv re
sent, even at a time when we have to
submit to the liatred and falsity of
enemies and former friends. He In
stilted. without excuse, men who. fear
less of death, discharged tlwir duty to
the fatherland In the hour of need.
WITHOUT HOPE OF BOOTY."
Dismiss Complaint Against
Lemoyne Light Company
The Public Service Commission has
dismissed the complaint of Ira B. Bix
ler and others against the United
Electric Company of Leinoyne. The
complainants reside in the southwest
ern part of the borough of Camp Hill
and wanted electric light service ex
tended to that locality.
There was no evidence presented
which indicated that the companv
could furnish the service at present or
for years to come except at a loss, and
the commission holds that it cfennot
reasonably be expected to construct a
pole line of 1.300 feet when there are
neither sufficient customers in sight
nor in prospect to cover the expense
of the construction. It is understood,
however, that the complainant and'
respondent are considering a compro
mise proposition.
HARRISBURG. PA., WEDNESDAY EVENING, MAY 12, 1915
LAST LEG OF 3-DflV
PUBLICITY Mil TODAY
Tourists Begin to Arrive in City
Late This Afternoon After
Great Trip
ONE WOMAN IS INJURED
Cars Make Good Scores; Recep
tion in Wilmington; Harrisburg
Widely Advertised
late tills afternoon the tourists
on the three-day Publicity Run of
the Motor Club of Harrisburg be
gan to arrive home, coming from
ILancaster where the autoists stop
|>e<l for the uoon control and
luncheon.
The last leg of the trip was be
gun at \\ ilmington this morning.
The pilot car and pathfinders ar
rived in the city before S o'clock.
Wilmington. Del.. May 12.—Leading
the members of the Motor Club of
Harrisburg into this citv vesterdav
afternoon on the final lap of the sec
ond day's run was I. W. Dill, who has
checked first at all stations, with one
exception, throughout the run. As a
result of this achievement he will be
awarded the Du Pont Fabricoid trophy,
ofered the first entering Wilmington
with seats fitted in imitation uphol
stery. The officials, including Secretary
Myton, Referee Forrer and the path
finding car. went before Mr. Dill.
One of the greatest receptions ever
given an automobile club was arranged
In this city by members of the Cham
ber of Commerce and the City Club.
Immediately on their arrival commit
tees from these two bodies met the
men and arranged them In numerical
order for a parade over the city streets
[Continued on Page 3]
JAPS EXPRESS SYMPATHY
Toklo, May 12.—The Japanese Gov
ernment has sent to Great Britain and
the United States messages of sym
pathy upon the loss of life in the Lusi
tania disaster.
BELGIANS ARE AGAIH
UK SOME SUCCESS
Reported to Be Pushing For
ward, According to Official
Dispatches
Prom the Reltrian coast to Arras,
across the oordcr In Northern France,
one of the principal battles of the war
thus far Is now under way. The Bel
gians. in the Utile section of their
fatherland which they still hold are
pushing forward, apparently with
some success. Near the border the
French arc attacking furiously in an
attempt to break through the German
lines.
[Continued on Page B.]
aiMD ROAD
LOAN UP IN 1918
Resolution Presented by Sproul
Resubmitting Proposition Will
Be Passed
Senator Sproul, of Delaware county,
to-day introduced in the Senate a joint
resolution providing for again submit
ting to the people of the State the
question of making a loan of fifty mil
lion dollars for the improvement of
the roads of Pennsylvania.
The resolution is similar to that
which was defeated by a narrow mar
gin in the popular vote in 1913 after
a noteworthy campaign.
Senator Sproul's resolution provides
that the election upon the question be
held on the regular election day in
November of the year 1918. The con
stitution of Pennsylvania provides that
amendments shall not be resubmitted
to the people oftener than once In five
years.
The leaders of the Legislature, Gov
ernor Brumbaugh and Attorney Gen
eral Brown are in favor of the reso
lution.
The resolution was read for the first
time to-day. It will be rushed through
before final adjournment next week.
UNIDENTIFIED STEAMER HIT
By Associated Press
lyondon. May 12.— A Reuter dis
patch from Amsterdam says an un
identified steamer was torpedoed and
set afire off Schiermonlk-Oog. an
Island in the North Sea. The wreck is
still burning and nothing Is known re
garding the fate of the crew.
WOMEN AND CHILDREN WANTONLY SLAIN
BY GERMANS IN WAR ZONE, BRYCE SAYS;
LADY WARWICK ON ENGLAND'S "WAR BABIES"
V ~ J
London, May 12.—"T0 my mind th«re la more Immorality, more glar
ing offense to the Creator In one battlefield full of dead and mangled hu
manity than has gone to the creation of all the unfortunate children -who
will come crying and unwelcome into our tear-stricken world before the
year draws to an end. Those who rule over Europe are responsible."
So said the Countess of Warwick, England's most distinguished social
worker. She continued:
"War Is a monstrous immorality that seeks to destroy the world. The
illicit unions are but a side issue which I am interested in because of those
who will pay the price, the mother and the child, and it all is really a
minor immorality from which with a little care, a little loving kindness
and a litle foreknowledge, much good, much deep morality may spring."
LEGISLATURE WILL
ADJOURN OH MAY 21
Decision Reached When Governor
and Leaders Confer on Rev
evenue Raisers
The general assembly of 1915 will
adjourn finally on Thursday, May SO.
This date was determined upon to
day at a cpnference in the executtve
chamber between Governor Brum
baugh and the legislative leaders. Im
mediately afterwards word went out
and all efforts were bent toward clear
ing up the work of the two houses.
A resolution fixing ilay 20 as the date
was presented in the House by W. H.
[CoDtinucd on Page 12.]
CIVIL SERVICE FOR
THIRO CLASS CITIES
Bill Passed Putting Police, Fire
men, Electricians and Engineers
Under Regulations
There was a lively little contest in
the Senate to-day over the House bill
establishing civil service for the police,
engineering, electrical and fire depart
ments in third class cities. It was
passed 31 to 14.
Senator Beidleman, Dauphin, said
there was politics in the measure In
that It did not go into effect until af
ter the November election, thus per
mitting the city employes to partici
pate in a November election. This was
denied by Senator Thompson, Beaver,
[Continued on Page B.]
False Rumor of the
Transylvania's Sinking
Heard About Town
"Is it true that a German sub
marine has torpedoed the Transyl
vania?"
That query not only came over the
Telegraph's phone wires with startling
frequency this morning, but the report
got about on the streets and the ques
tion was passed from lip to lip. Up to
a late hour tbls afternoon the dis
patches carried nothing to provide any
bast* for the rumor.
The Transylvania is a Cunard liner,
a-» was the Lusitanla. which was sunk
with BO much loss of life by a German
torpedo off the Irish coaat Fridav. It I
sailed Saturday and should be due in I
the dreaded war rone of the English !
MM about this time.
HORRORS IN FRANCE AND BELGIUM
PUSH WORK ON CITY
PAVING OPERATIONS
Traction Company Finishing Its
Share of Job Between Tracks
in Derry Street, Eastward
While Stucker Brothers and the
West Construction companies are
pushing work on the River Front wall
and the Paxton creek improvement
jobs, respectively, the street paving
part of Harrlsburg's 1915 public Im
provement program is being worked
out with equal celerity.
The Central Construction and Supply
Company is busy in several sections
of the city, although the big job per-
[Continued on Page 12.]
PROHIBITION COLORS
WORN BY BARTENDERS
Vigorous Opposition Is Voiced at
Sessions of Penna. Federation
of Labor Convention
White ribbon badges worn by dele
gates to the Pennsylvania Federation
of Labor convention, were scored by
Edward McElroy, of Philadelphia, to
day. McElroy represents Bartenders'
Union, No. 115. In open convention
he called attention to the fact that
white ribbons are the colors of the
Prohibition party.
The delegate from Philadelphia
took the floor after Joseph Provestle,
of Cincinnati, general secretary of the
International Brewery Workers'
Union, had made an address.
"We" are against prohibition," he
said. "We should discard white
badges. Wearing these white ribbons
and talking against prohibition, is like
shaking a red flag in front of a bull.
| It appears to me the badge committee
could have adopted some other color."
The objections raised by Delegate
McElroy were placed on the minutes.
Following the remarks of the Phila
delphia representative some delegates
removed the white ribbons from their
badges. Others substituted red rose
buds.
[Continued on Page 8]
TWO ZEPPELINS OBSERVED
London. May 12.—A Zeppelin air
ship wns seen passing over Sunder
, land last evening, according to the
Dally News, and another was ob
served from Yarmouth sailing toward
the east coast. Nothing later hu
been heard from the machines.
Deliberate end Systematically Organized Massacres of
Civil Population, Report Says; Wilful Destruction of
Property Ordered and Countenanced by German
Army Officers; Rules and Usages of War Broken in
Many Ways; Women Misused
Former Ambassador Gives Harrowing Recital of Occur
rences at Various Points in Devastated Territory;
Bedridden Old Men Taken From Homes and Bayo
neted by Kaiser's Soldiers; Diary of German Soldier
Tells of Debauchery
By Associated Pr/ss
London, May 12.—Viscount Bryce,
former British Ambassador at Wash
ington, and now chairman of a special
government committee appointed to
investigate and report on "outrages al
leged to have been committed by Ger
man troops during the present war,"
has submitted the report of the com
mittee to Premier Asquith.
The document is considered as
probably the most severe arraignment
thus far made of the German military
sweep across Belgium, mainly because
of the position of Viscount Bryce as a
historian, and also because of the care
with which the investigation was
made, the great number of witnesses
whose testimony was examined, and
the mass of evidence now submitted
with the report of thr committee.
Associated with Lovd Bryce on the
committee were Sir Frederick Pollock,
Sir Edward Clarke, Sir Alfred Hopkln
son, H. A. L. Fisher., vlcft chancellor
of the University of Sheffield. Harold
Cox, and Kenelm E. Dlgby. The
committee was appointed by Premier
Asquith on January 22, iMt, and was
GOVERNOR SIGNS BILLS 1
—burg—Governor Brumbaugh . i£,r.ed the follow-
Requiring Allegheny county to establish a per.- *
sion i 1 establishing forty-five pounds as standard bushel
for apples and fifty-six pounds for beets, authorizing bor- t
: collect annual rental for use of public sewers, and
authorising first class cities to regulate the size, location j
and i e of buildings and giving park, commissions like au
thority. He vetoed the bill validating the facts of building ■
an ' : associations whose charters have expired.
Jew York, May 12. Frank Fuzia, 38 years old, a i
ta 4 k ested by detectives investigating the so-called
ripp -.'jrders in which five-year-old Leonore Cohen and (
four -old Charles Murry, were the victims, was held to
day thout bail for further examination.
ondon, May 12, 2.25 P. M.—Anti-German outbreaks 1
6i icular severity occurred to-day in the neighborhood I
India docks. Sixty or seventy German shops ®
were > ecked. Germans in the vicinity are uniting for self
- and police reinforcements are rushed to the scene. <
AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION BILL
The House bill establishing a State Commission of
Agriculture to take the place of the Department of Agri
culture was oassed finally by the Senate to-day. It has the '
support of Governor Brumbaugh.
Philadelphia. May 12. Tohn J. Rahilly, Philadelphia, ■
was elected state deputy at the final session here to-day of
the State Convention of the Knights of Columbus. He sue-
ceed Andrew S. McSwigan. Pittsburgh, who withdrew from
the ra> s for re-electiom I
Lancaster, May 12.—Sixty-two Harrisburg motor
ists checked here shortly before noon cm the final g
lap of their three-day publicity run. The first car left here
for arrisburg at 1 o'clock, the others following at one
min intervals. A hqavy rain made the going difficult. 1
- , May 12, via Paris, 3.45 P. M.—What is consider
ed the ist definite proposal of Austria concerning the terrU ®
torial concessions demanded by Italy was received by the
Italian governmaat. The cabinet at once went into session ®
to consider the communication.
MARRIAGE L
Joaepk D. Griffin. Uoston. and Kllrubfrger, city.
John l oadermllrh, Steel ton. and Bertka Mhonp. city.
Wa?ne B. Shopr and Kllxabeth A. >1 Iddletovrn. a
John R. Miller and Benlah E. Wolfe, Wlllinmitonn.
• POSTSCRIPT.
12 PAGES
given broad Instructions to investi
gate "alleged outrages, the maltreat
ment of civilians and breaches of law
and established usages of war."
Important Findings
The most important findings of the
committee are summed up in the fol
lowing conclusion at the close of tha
report:
"It will be seen that the com
mittee have come to a definite
conclusion upon each of the heads
under which the evidence has
been classified:
"It is proved:
"First—That there were in
many parts of Belgium deliberate
ami systematically organized mas
sacres of the civil population, ac
companied by many isolated mur
ders and other outrages.
"Second —That in the conduct
of the war generally Innocent ci
vilians. both men and women,
were murdered in large numbers,
women violated, and children
murdered.
"Third—That looting, house
burning, and the wanton destruc
tion of property were ordered and
j countenanced by the officer* of
the tierman Army, that elaborate
I [Continued on Page ».]