EXT** \—Sp tng Mobilizatl • of Nation's Resources~NT^ ir T T ' * 7l y r *T^A
HARRISBURG WmßSs> TELEGRAPH
LXXXVI— No. 37 18 PAGES
OFFICIALS D
KAISER'S PEACE PLEA
Berlin Asks Parley, but Washington Says Move Is In
sincere; Rejection Predicted Unless U-Boats Are
Stopped During Negotiations
LITTLE HOPE IN GERMANY THAT
WAR WITH U. S. IS AVOIDABLE
Emperor William Calls Conference Presumably to Discuss
Submarine Campaign and Position of Neutrals; May
Try to Divide Public Opinion Here
Washington, D. C., Feb. 12.—The
German proposal delivered to the titate
Department Saturday that means be
discussed for preventing the break in
relations from resulting in war appar
ently has struck no responsive cord
here. No otlicial would indicate
whether a reply already been
given, but there was no disposition to
denv that the proposal has been made
or to deny that the American govern
ment regarded it as an effort on tho
part of Germany to befog the Issue.
Sharp Refusal Forecast
Sharp refusal to consider hints for a
discussion of the submarine situation
with Germany unless it be preceded by
abandonment of the campaign of ruth
lessness and restoration of the bussex
pledges was forecast here to-day.
Official opinion has soiidified that
Germany's suggestions of negotiations
cannot be considered while ships are
being sunk in a campaign which has
brought forth the moral condemnation
of most of the neutral world.
Officials admitting to-day for the
first time the receipt of such an offer
through the Swiss minister regard the
suggestion as an attempt to becloud
the issue and weaken the govern
ment's position. They gave Indications
that it must be met by prompt action.
They regard it as somewhat strange
that Germany should now show a will
ingness to negotiate on a subject she
put into effect without discussion with
this country or any attempt to give
the American viewpoitn consideration.
It was made clear everywhere in
government circles that there was
nothing to discuss unless Germany de
sired to stop abridging American rights
and illegally menacing American life.
In connection with the German sug
gestion special Interest attached to
cable dispatches announcing that Em
peror William had called a conference,
presumably to discuss the submarine
campaign and tho position of the neu
trals. It was suggested that out of the
conference might come something
more tangible than the mere oral
suggestion that Germany would like to
discuss means of praventing the addi
tion of another nation to her long list
of enemies.
What has been done so far is con
strued only as an attempt to place
upon the United States the appearance
of belligerency. The chief purpose, it
is believed,is to bewilder public opinion
here and divide the country, and the
move is about as unwelcome here as if
Mr, Gerard in lierlin had gone behind
the German government, through the
Spanish ambassador, who represents
the United States there, in an appeal
to the German people on a wholly in
complete issue.
Whether any sort of answer will be
made beyond a mere acknowledgment
to the Swiss minister, who presented
the suggestion yesterday, is uncertain,
as that matter rests entirely with
President Wilson. Opinions differ,
some believing it wiser to ignore the
suggestion entirely.
It is possible that a summary of the
present submarine campaign, with a
list of the sinkings without warning
and the loss of lives, may be submitted
as further showing why the United
States and other neutrals believe Ger
many's course outside the bounds of
law.
Germans Trying to Atioid
War but Have Slight Hope
Copenhagen, Feb. 12. —Little hope
or expectation prevails in lierlln that
war with the United States is avoid
able or that a modus vivendi recon
ciling the policies of the two great
THE WEATHER,
For Hiirrlxliure nnd vlelnltyt In Ir,
continued cold to-nlulit, with Imv
cM temperature nliout 4 ilruriM'N
below irroi Tuesday fair, with
riiins temperature.
For Knhtrrn Pennsylvania! Fair and
continued coltl to-nluhti Tuesday
fnlr, with riHiiiK temperature's
moderate nortliwcNt wlmli, lie-
I'omini; variable.
Itlver
The Siwuuphiiiiiiii river and all Its
branches will fall Rlowly eicrpt
local rises may occur where the
channel hrrmnca cloßKetl with lec.
static of nliout 0.0 feet IN indi
cated for llarrishiirK Tuesday
morning.
General Conditions
The nrea of hlitli pressure that wan
over the Upper Missouri Valley,
Saturday mornitiK, hus appar
ently united with the hlnh over
the Southeastern State*, torinlnur
nil filriwlw xyntem of unusunllv
111 uh linrometer coverlni: most of
the country cant of the Kocky
Mountains, with Its center over
Indiana. I.lurht to moderate rains
have oceurred In the (iulf States
and Georttla and there have lieen
Unlit rains and snows In tile Pa
cific States anil In Idaho mid Kan
sum elsewhere fair wentlicr lias
prevailed.
Temperaturei 8 a. m., 4 tleßrees
above r.ero.
Sum Hlses, 7)01 a. m.
Moon: Hlses. 11 tin p. m.
Hlver Stairct ll.<l feet above low
wnter mark.
Yesterday's Weather
Iflrhest temperature, 10.
J.owest emperature. 12.
Mean temperature. IC.
Normal temperuture, 21'
governments can be found. There now
is a desire on the part of the authori
ties and a vast bulk of the people to
avoid actual hostilities in any way con
sistent with the general lines of the
present submarine policy, but only in
such a way.
Accordingly, instructions were given,
so the Associated Press has been re
liably informed, to submarine com
manders before they started on their
February mission to take the safe side
when neutral vessels, particularly
American, were in question, whenever
possible. Enemy merchantmen, when
recognized as such, were ordered to
be sunk at sight, but neutral mer
chantmen were to be warned when
such action, in their judgment, was
consistent with the object of the cam
paign and the (safety of their own
ships.
It was realized, however, after the
prompt and resolute stand taken by
President Wilson, that these orders
could only be palliative and only defer,
not avoid, an ultimate break.
Government Will Find
Way to Arm American
Merchantmen Held in Port
Washington, Feb. 12. Within a
few days the government will find
a way whereby American merchant
vessels now held in port by fear of
German submarines, may arm them
selves and resume their sailings, it
was Intimated strongly by officials to
day. This will be accomplished by
private means. The government will
not supply guns or gunners direct,
nor even formally advise arming.
Ship owners have stated that hereto
fore they have been unable to obtain
either guns or gun crews.
Officials to-day were still inclined
to regard the latest offer of Germany
to discuss means of preventing war,
presented through the Swiss minister
Saturday, only as an effort to cast on
the United States the appearance of
being belligerent. The official atti
tude seemed to be that the United
States and German government can
have no diplomatic dealings until Ger
many gives up her program of unre
stricted submarine warfare and that
any other advances meanwhile serve
only to becloud the issue of American
rights. It is not certain whether any
answer will be made to the suggestion.
Officials noted with interest to-day
that the submarine's toll of merchant
ships yesterday had sunk to the lowest
level since the new campaign was in
augurated.
New York Reaches N. Y.
After Uneventful Voyage
New York, Feb. 12. The arrival
to-day of the steamship New York
brought the number of American
trans-Atlantic passenger ships at this
port up to four. The New York sailed
from Liverpool on February 3 and ac
cording to wireless messages received
from her passengers, passed through
the submarine war zone without inci
dent.
The American liner Kroonland
docked here yesterday, and the St.
Louis and St. Paul, of the same line
are still at their piers while their
owners await news from Washington
in regard to the policy recommended
for American shipping that would risk
the dangers of the German blockade.
The Cunard liner Andania, from
Liverpool January 31 and the Italian
steamer Giuseppe Vfcrdi from Mediter
ranean ports reached their docks here
to-day.
The British liner Cedric, which sails
to-day for Liverpool without passen
gers, will carry 5,000 sacks of mail,
[Continued on Page 11]
GOLD
READERS of the smr-imic
pendent will find a continua
tion of the serial story, "Gold,"
on another page of the Telegraph
this evening. This story will run
in the Telegraph each evening un
til completed. A synopsis of "Golil"
has been supplied in order that
Telegraph reatlers also may enjoy
the remainder of this really re
markable story of the days of MB
in the gold fields of California.
Another treat in store for publi
cation shortly is "Nan, of Music
Mountain," one of the best stories
of love and adventure in the Old
West that has ever been written.
Just the kind everybody likes.
Wateli for It.
HARRISBURG, PA., MONDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 12, 1917.
COMPREHENSIVE PLANS FOR
PERMANENT ORGANIZATION
OF COUNTRY'S RESOURCES
Washington, Feb. 12.—Definite steps to hurry mobilization of the nation's resources as a part of
the national defense program were taken to-day at a special joint session of the National Defense
Council and its advisory commission. Americans personally familiar with what has been done in
Great Britain, France and elsewhere have been asked to appear before the commission which hopes to
be able to frame a report and recommendations for submission to the council this week.
Director GifTord, of the commission, explained that steps now contemplated did not bear directly
on the present international situation. The discussion to-day had to do with the desirability and
means of taking advantage of the present situation to make effective comprehensive plans for a per
manent organization of productive resources so that they could be drafted into the public service in war
time with little delay.
No special legislation will be sought at this time, although the commission will frame sugges
tions as to necessary measures to be urged at a later date.
TENSION RELIEVED
BY ARRIVAL OF
GERARD PARTY
Safely Reach Zurich Where
Ambassador Tells of Being
Held Prisoner
PRESSURE PLACED ON HIM
Kaiser Tried Hard to Get Him |
to Sign Treaty Pro
tocol
Zurich, Switzerland, Sunday, Feb.
11, 10 p. m., via Paris, Feb. 12, 4.45
a. m.—Most of the members of Am
bassador Gerard's large party gave a
genuine sigh of relief this afternoon
when the Swiss border was reached,
for the strain of the last few days had
told more or less on the majority of
the travelers.
Ambassador Gerard met cordially
the horde of newspapermen which
crowded about him on his arrival at
Zurich, clamoring for interviews for
papers all over the civilized world, but
be kept rigidly to his determination
not to speak lor publication until af
ter he has reported to President Wil
son In Washington.
The strain of the situation for the
Americans in Berlin had been height
ened toward the end by the efforts of
the German authorities to induce Mr.
Gerard to open negotiations for an
amendment to the Prussian-American
treaty of 1799. At the same time the
German newspapers were Hooded with
reports of the seizure of German ships
by America and with stories of diffi
culties and indignities encountered by
Count Von Bernstorff. Ambassador
Gerard was refused permission to
communiated in cipher with Wash
ington and the authorities ignored all
denials of the stories printed in the
German newspapers until an official
message received through the Spanish
embassy made it clear that the stories
were false. Prior to this, Ambassa
dor Gerard's telephone wires were cut,
his mail and telegraphic privileges
stopped so that he could not even in
struct the American consuls—and he
was, in his own words a prisoner.
Petty Friction
The combined result was uncer
tainty and petty friction which was
only increased when the foreign and
military authorities shifted the re
sponsibility for the delay in Gerard's
departure from one to another. No
American, least of all Ambassador
Gerard, could obtain any definite in
formation. It was pointed out to the
officials violation of the measures
were only applicable to actual war and
the admirable self-restraint and po
liteness of the German people with the
resultant good effect, was being jeo
pardized. Delay followed delay and
one excuse was made after another
until Friday night when the foreign
office suddenly announced its willing
ness to permit Mr. Gerard to depart
on the following day. The names of
correspondents and of other persons
were added to the list but even then
petty delays and uncertainties follow
ed until shortly before tho train was
boarded.
Mr. Gerard's farewells were said in
a friendly though formal manner.
Many Germans were in the throng at
the station which consisted partly of
Americans who had not received per
mission to depart on the embassy train
and m ist await the police routine be
fore IXJ' ng allowed to leave. The fact
that it was not generally known that
Mr. Gerard was departing reduced the
demonstrations at the South German
stations to a minimum of . curious
crowds.
The older women and the children
were assigned to the sleeping cars
on the train. The younger persons
rode in the day coaches and made the
trip of twenty hours to the border
with no serious discomforts. The
party was accompanied by two repre
sentatives of the foreign office and
guarded carefully by men from the
secret service. The customs inspec
tion and other examinations at the
border were relaxed to a mere formal
ity. j
®ht Star- JmVpmficnt
UVCG
It steals from out the shadow of the tomb
And cries to all America, "Make room,
In this your fated hour for memory!"
The soul of Lincoln passed through grilling fires,
Yet rose to meet a nation's high desires
While none knew grief therein than he.
Can we allow the flag our fathers' blood
Stained with its crimson sink beneath the flood
While all the waiting world stands by to see?
The soul of Lincoln calls the souls of us,
"Remember, oh REMEBER! Put your trust
In God whose Hand controls the land and sea.
"If blood be shed, there is no other way,
Through tribulation cometh perfect day.
Tbe"K*mg shall lead rcrtrsrs~He once lead me."
—ANNA HAMILTON WOOD.
Written For the Telegraph
SEVEREST COLD
WAVE OF YEAR
SWEEPING IN
Weather Bureau Issues Warn
ing to Prepare For Below
Zero Weather
Warning that a cold wave was on
the way was the best that the Harris
burg Weather Bureau could promise
this morning to the thousands shiver
ing in the zero-like breezes.
The lowest temperature In several
years was the forecast for to-night.
Advices from Washington shortly be
fore noon were to the effect that an
extreme cold wave, extending from the
Middle West to the coast, would sweep
down upon Pennsylvania districts late
to-day.
A temperature of at least 4 below
zero is expected. This will be eight
degrees lower than the official record
early this morning. Slightly warmer
weather will follow in the wave of the
depression to-morrow afternoon,
lee Foot Thick
An estimate by E. R. Domain, fed
eral meteorologist for Harrisburg,
fixed the thickness of the ice on still
water at from ten to twelve inches in
thickness. Ice on the river is much
thicker at many points where gorges
and Jams have occurred. It is not
unusual to find blocks of ice six feet
[Continued on Page 11]
HEADS WITH HIS TONGUE
Kansas City, Mo., Feb. 21. Wil
liam McPhcrson, of Highland Park,
Ills., who lost his sight and both arms
in a mine explosion In 1906 and who
since then has learned to read with
his tongue, by means of raised letters
on porcelain slabs is here to-day being
fitted with artificial arms. In a ser
mon before a congregation last night
he said he had fed himself yesterday
for the first time in 11 years.
TO OUR SUBSCRIBERS
Patrons who desire to pay their subscriptions at the office
instead of to the regular collectors and subscribers
of The Star-Independent who desire may pay their
subscriptions by calling at the Business Office of the
Harrisburg Telegraph at 216 Locust street, opposite
the Federal building. All subscription lists and ac
counts of The Star-Independent are now at this office.
If you have been paying your subscription to a collector,
kindly continue to do so. The same man who has al
ways collected from you, if you are a Star-Independent
reader, will continue to visit you at the regular periods.
CITY DETECTIVE
BUREAU WILL BE
ABOLISHED SOON
Superintendent Windsor to Be
Dismissed Possibly
Tomorrow
Harrisburg's City Detective Bureau
is to be abolished and William L.
Windsor, Jr., superintendent, dis
missed, it was rumored to-day In city
official circles.
Council may be asked to approve
this action to-morrow, it was under
stood to-day, because of a preliminary
report by C. J. Driscoll, of the New
York Bureau of Municipal Research,
who is making a survey of the Harris
burg Police Department.
Although it could not bo learned
what recommendations had been made
by the police expert, there seemed to
be little doubt that the Detective Bu
reau will soon be a thing of the past,
and that Chief of Police J. Edward
Wetzel will be given supervision of the
detective force.
Recommendations may also be
made to Council to provide for the
appointment of a clerk to the Police
Department, who will probably be
placed in charge of all records of com
[Continucd on Page 11]
NO I)RIIJL< IN THIS TRAINING
Chicago, Feb. 12. A modification
of universal training has been insti
tuted at Northwestern University and
the first classes were held to-day.
There will be no drilling or carrying
of arms, but the course includes only
such phases of the training as can
be taught in lectures. Three hours a
week are to be devoted to the study.
DTJKK TO INSPECT TROOPS
London, Feb. 12. The Duke of
Connaught will be appointed inspector
general of oversea troops, according
to the Times. The paper lntimatc-s
that the duke will investigate the
question of promotion of Canadian
officers, which has been a subject of
criUcism here.
Single Copy, 2 Cents NIGHT EXTRA
THREE MORE SHIPS
SUNK TO-DAY BRING
GRAND TOTAL TO 85
During the morning and early aft
ernoon to-day only one large vessel
was leported a victim of the new Ger
man submarine campaign—the Brit
ish steamer Netherlee, of 4,227 tons.
She was last reported from Philadel
phia for Dunkirk, France. Two small
Steamers brought the total tonnage up
to 4.9R8 for the period.
In the field and military operations
the British are pushing ahead on the
Somme front, according to their latest
reports, which recorded a gain of
ground along a front of more than
three-quarters of a mile north of
Reaumont-Hamel in the Ancre region.
| CARRANZA WANTS TO STOP EXPORTS i|
[ Washington, Feb. 12.- General Caranza has sent a note Sj
! to the United.States, A Brazil and Chile, well ah jl
j; to al! other neutral nations, asking them to join in an j j
jj agreement to prohibit the export from their countries to lj.
| the warring Euro{ f foodstuffs and munitions j!
11 of war s ' |
j BRINTOM HURT IN AUTO CRASH jj
|! Martin A. Brinton, head of the Banter Packer Com- ||
j| pany, real estate, of Camp Hill, suffered a broken kneecap jj
|j and other injuries e automobi 1 he was !'
jj,,. driving, ran into ate -Ae in the eastern part of j|
!! (1
ji Camp Hill, late this afternoon. Th< ilew ihe !|
•! laprobe into Mr. Briii' him. jl
jj STEAMER LYCIA SUNK LATE TO-DAY j
j; London, - Fob. 12.—The steamer Lycia has be< ii
]! Lloyd's Shipping The crew was saved. |
j; The British steamer Lycia \ I
!j tons, built in 1896, at Middlesbrough.
ALLIED PLANES LOST j
Berlin, Feb. 12. —By Wireless.—From the beginning ot J
the war to January 31, 1917, German battle planes and anti- 1
air craft batteries destroyed 1,002 hostile machines, or 167
enemy squadrons of six machines each, according to official j
jj atatistics obtained by the Overseaes ews Agency In the !
!| period stated, 1,700 hostile aviators were put out of combat j
!! and machines values at 50,000,000 marks were destroyed. '
j| TO CONSIDER HIGH SCHOOL PLANS
Harrisburg. City school directors and members' oi the
jj Citizen's Advisory Committee will hold a special meeting to
j[ morrow afternoon at 3 o'clock to consider a report on the
j! briefs submitted by architects who appeared before die
j[ board lor examination. An architect may be selected to
l! draw plans for the new junior high school, to be erected in
!; Allison Hill.
jj SIXTH PENNA. TO LEAVE
!| San Antonio, Texas, Feb. 12.—The Sixth Pennsylvania
|! infantry is expected to get away from El Paso to-day.
jj VILLA DRIVES CLOSE TO BORDER
j| _ Calumbus, N. M., Feb. 12.—Villa troops have occupied •
"j Twin Windmills, 26 miles south of the border and an inter
l mediary base of the communication trial to Colonia Dublan,
j[ according to Carranza officials here. A Villa drive toward
![ the border was reported from Western Chihuahua by other
! j sources here. All horses, mules and other stock were being
j! commandeered, the Villa followers giving receipts for all
j; property taken it was saiad.
Washington, Feb. 12.—The United States has replied
j| to Germany's proposal of a discussion of the si?bmarine sit
|!| uation by declining to enter into any negotiation while the
]! proclamation of unrestricted warfare remains in effect and
j; until Germany restores the pledges given in the Sussex case.
|! The State Department to-d?y made public Germany's pro
]j posal submitted in a memorandum by Dr. Paul Ritter, the
jj Swiss minister, and also the government reply, thereby
|! confirming fully the announcement made by the Associated
|j j Press last Saturday and printed in the Harrisburg Tele
|; I gr a P h -
I K
i i
Berlin reports the British operations
to have been a series of attacks ex
tending from Serre to the Ancre river
which were sanguinarily repulsed, Ihe
British, however, occupying some
abandoned trenches.
The French on the western front
are conlining themselves ut present to
raiding operations, several of which
are reported by Paris to-day to have
resulted successfully.
Outpost encounters and surprise at
tacks in comparatively small force are
the only events along the Russian
front recorded in the current com
munications.