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Heavy Forces Will Be Hurled Against Insurgents in Cuban Rebellion
HARRISBTJRG llfSgilll TELEGRAPH
(The Star- 3nicpcn&cnt.
LXXXVI— No. 39 20 PAGES
WILSON MA YASK CONGRESS
SOON FOR AUTHORITY TO
PROTECT AMERICAN LIFE
DEFERS ARMED
SHIP DECISION
UNTIL HE GETS
OFFICIAL WORD
Accumulation of Incidents
Involving Violations of
American Rights Since
Break Hastening Approach
of Hour When President
Will Again Go Before Con
gress
RETENTION OF 72
AMERICANS SERIOUS
Regarded as Another Acute
Indication -of Germany's
Disregard of American
Rights; Policy Unchanged,
but Present Situation as
Fraught With Danger as
U-Boat War
Washington, Feb. 14. Presi
dent Wilson is expected now to
defer a decision in question of
furnishing guns to American
merchant ships until he decides
whether to go before Congress
and ask for additional authority
for the protection of American
ships and lives.
It was indicated in authoritative
sources to-day that there has been no
change in the policy of the govern
ment up to the present time and that
none is in immediate prospect.
The accumulation of incidents in
volving violations of American rights
since the diplomatic break with Ger
many is generally believed by adminis
tration officials to be hastening the ap
proach of the hour when the President
again will go before Congress.
Detention of Sailors Serious
The re-detention of the seventy-two
Americans brought in on the prize
ship Yarrowdale is regarded as an
other acute indication of Germany's
disregard of American rights. If, in
fact, a vigorous protest has not already
gone forward, it will be sent in the
near future, unless Germany promptly
releases the men.
A definite sentiment gained ground
in administration quarters to-day that
an accumulation of acts indicating a
disregard for American rights will
have as much to do with shaping the
policy of the United States as any
overt act which may be committed
against American ships.
TVo Objections to Arming Sliips
While it has been indicated at the
State Department that there can be
no legal objection to the government
furnishing guns to American merchant
ships, President Wilson is understood
to b e disinclined to take any step
which might give Germany the slight
est ground for throwing responsibility
for any future trouble upon the United
. L 8 was the government's
attitude to-day, although it was ad
.th?l there always was possi
bility of change, according to circum
stances.
May Sacrifice 1,1 ves Any Minute
Reports of the piling up of freight
wl? j ur °P e . the temporary
shutting down of grain elevators and
the other evidences of the effect of the
new submarine campaign upon neutral
commerce, are regarded as part of
i? , accumulatlon of aggravations
which are expected to lead to action
So far the government has received
nothing official to indicate any change
of submarine policy by Germany and
can only believe that American lives
or ships may be sacrificed at any mo
ment.
Vigorous denials were made to-day
to reports of a split in the Cabinet over
J M ot furnishing guns for
American ships. Naturally, it was
said, there may be differences of judg
ment, but it was declared that the
members of the Cabinet will stand
solidly behind the President in any
decision he may make.
I THE WEATHER-1
Far Harrlftburg and vicinity, In-
Mettled weather, probably Unlit
• now or rain to-night or Thnr
day i not inuch change In tem
perature, lowest to-night about
20 decree*.
For Eastern Pennsylvania: Cloudy
to-night and Thursday; probably
■ BOW la north and mow or rain
In aouth portion t no deelded
ebanite In temperature) moder
ate to fresh shifting winds.
Itlver
The Susquehanna river and all Ita
branches will fall slowly or re
main atatlonary without nay ma
te rl si change In lee conditions A
stage of about .5 feet. Ice read-
Ill*. Is Indicated for Harrlsburg
Thursday morning.
Yesterday's Weather
Highest temperature, 24.
lioweat temperature, 1.
Mean temperature, 12.
Normal temperature. 30.
TAKE A LOOK AND YOU'LL BE GLAD VALENTINE—LIKE CHRISTMAS—COMES BUT ONCE A YEAR
<r-S FOP Tit S [ ivE WT A sol
"' ' c T °
=- ICE WO MCE
\ ILtNES imSLOST _^j
STATE COAL TAX
BILL INTRODUCED;
AS NEW FEATURES
Would Share With Counties
Where Mines Are; Other
Measures Presented
A coal tax of two and a half per
cent, of the value on all coal mined
in Pennsylvania, one-half to be de
voted to improvement and repair of
highways, is proposed in a bill intro
duced in the House to-day by Mr.
Davis, Lackawanna. The bill would
apply to ill! coal and is so drawn that
if any section is declared unconstitu
tional it shall not affect the others.
The process of collection is similar
to that carried in the acts of 1913 and
191 5.
The bill was accompanied by a pro
posed act dedicating 50 per cent, to a
fund to be distributed to the cities,
boroughs and townships under which
the coal is mined or wherein it is
washed. The distribution is to be on
a population basis.
Mr. Powell, Luzerne, introduced a
bill requiring mines to establish a first
aid corps for each 50 persons employed
inside. In mines having less than 50
men a corps shall be provided at re
quest of the inspector. Each corps is
to be composed of live men.
Bills presented were:
Mr. Howarth, Allegheny Prohi
biting issuance of marriage licenses
to white and colored persons who
may desire to intermarry.
Mr. Sinclair, Fayette Prohibiting
trespassing on any railroad or railway
or on cars under penalty of $25 or 30
days in prison.
A joint resolution for a commission
of three to be named by the Governor
to investigate the cause of advances
in price of bituminous coal either by
operators or dealers was introduced
by Mr. Dean, Lawrence. It carries an
appropriation of $5,000 and calls for
report to the Legislature by May 1,
and to the Governor on January 1,
1918 and 1919.
Mr. Whitaker, Chester Establish
ing a code regulating sale of opium,
cocaine, etc.
Mr. Drake. Greene Appropriat
ing half of automobile registration
to counties in proportion to licenses.
Mr. Rich. Clinton Requiring pool
and billiard room and bowling alleys
to close at midnight and remain
closed until 6 a. m. and all day Sun
day.
Mr. Shunk, Eric Requiring rail
roads to place red lights at all grade
crossings.
Mr. Miller, Susquehanna lmpo
sing a 2-mill tax for road purposes on
manufacturing, brewing and distilling
corporations.
Chief Clerk Thomas H. Garvin, of
the House of Representatives to-day
received an acknowledgement from
Joseph P. Tumulty, secretary to the
President, of the Sproul resolution
pledging the support of Pennsylvania
to the President in the German crisis.
The President, says Mr. Tumulty,
"genuinely appreciates this generous
pledge of support."
HARRISBURG. PA., WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 14, 1917.
SIO,OOO FIRE GUTS
STEELTON STORE CO.
Fire of unknown origin in the engineroom of the cold storage
plant of the Steelton Store Company this afternoon gutted the large
building used for storage and slaughter purposes. The loss is esti
mated at more than SIO,OOO.
A thousand bushels oi potato**, a'
large Stoount of meat was burned.
Machinery used in the refrigerator de- ! '
purtment and in the electrical shop i
which furnished power and light to •
the store properties was also a com- '
plete loss.
Efforts on the part of tthe Baldwin
Hose Company to quickly reach the
plant at front and Locust streets
gained the apparatus so much mo- -
mcntum that the machine skidded into
the old canal bed..
Long lines of hose from distant
plugs stretched across Front street de- i
layed traffic and trolley cars for
FIVE DIRECTORS
OPPOSE CHOICE
FOR ARCHITECT
Kecne, Boyer, 8011, Brctz and
! Werner Against Special Com
mittee's Becommendations
Despite the fact that five members
of the city School Board yesterday
caused the first break in the big high
school development program by voting
against the employment of William B.
Ittner, of St. Louis, a special commit
tee's choice as architect, to draw the
plans, it was insisted in school official
[Continued on Pago :$]
STATE AS STOREHOUSE FOR
UNITED STATES IX WAR TIME
Pittsburgh, Feb. 14.—That the in
dustrial plants of Pennsylvania, op
erating at full capacity, could almost
supply all the munitions for this coun
try in time of war, was the statement
of Dr. R. F. Bacon, director of the
Mellon Institute and chairman of the
Pennsylvania committee on Industrial
preparedness of the Naval Consulting
Hoard, prior to his departure for
Washington yesterday, where he is to
make a report on an inventory of the
industrial plants of Pennsylvania.
LOOPS LOOP IN HYDRO AIRPLANE
Pensacola, Fla., Feb. 14. —Captain
Francis T. Evans, attached to the navy
flying school here, successfully looped
the loop in a hydroalrplane yesterday
at a height of several hundred feet. It
was said to be the first successful som
ersault in a hydroalrplane in this
country.
more Uuui an hour. A great crowd
drawn by the large volume of smoke
and the flames also helped to block
the borough's main highway.
A few minutes after the fire had
started the building was a total loss.
The central part of the roof caved in,
but the brick walls prevented the blaze
from spreading to adjoining property.
The Baldwin company's hose wagon
was being used to haul ashes when
the alarm was sent in. The driver
whipped up the horses to get back to
the Hrehouse and the animals in try
ing to make the turn at Highland
street skidded into the canal. No one
was hurt in the accident.
SPROUL INQUIRY
PASSES HOUSE BY
VOTE OF 110 TO 80
Action Is Preceded by Hot De
bate; Up to the Gov
ernor
; The Sproul resolution providing for
an investigation of government in
i Pennsylvania was passed finally in the
House of Representatives to-day as
it came from the Senate and will go
to the Governor for his action.
The vote on final passage was 110
ayes to 80 noes. The bill required
104. The bill passed on a test vote
on the first section on second reading
yesterday afternoon by 116 to 80.
The vote was taken at the con
(Continued on Page 18)
TIIItESiIEItMEJV MEET
Fourth Annual Convention Opens In
Chestnut Street Auditorium
The fourth annual convention of the
Pennsylvania Threshermen's and
Karmers' Protective Association began
its sessions in Chestnut street hall this
afternoon at 2 o'clock.
President Brubaker made a short
address of welcome after which the
threshermen took up the problem of
standardization of rates for threshing
Discussion of this subject consumed!
practically all of the afternoon meet- i
ing. At to-morrow's session the chief!
topic of Interest will be the proposed
repeal of the State law placing a per
sonal tax on owners of traction en
gines.
The convention will be in session
until Friday.
TO INTERVENE
IN CUBAN REVOLT
, IF NECESSARY !
U. S. Warns Island Govern-' j
ment That Rule by Violence |
Is Unsatisfactory
Washington, Feb. 14. Secretary !
Lansing sent to the Cuban people to- !
day a warning that any government !
j that might be established by revolt !
could not be recognized by the United !
States. j
Confronted by what appears to be ]
a carefully prepared Liberal rebellion, j
the administration has been forced to J
consider what steps could be taken. J
Intervention by the United Slates is |
contemplated with reluctance, but the !
intimation has been conveyed to j
President Menocal and to the leaders J
of the uprising that such a step may !
be taken if it becomes necessary. j
The message to the Cuban people I !
; was sent to Minister Gonzales and to
jail American consuls with instructioni/l'l
| that it be given widest publicity. It I j
| Is carefully worded, but calculated to
impress upon the public the serious- Li
ness of the situation and the
disfavor that such a revolution would i
find in Washington.
Troops Revolt in Cuba;
Many Die in Clas&\
Havana, Feb. 14. _ Presldei&.l
Menocal is reliably quoted as admit',
ting that troops are in revolt in 3
Camaguey province. The insurgents i
will be attacked by a heavy force un- !
! der Colonels Figuroa and Colazzo !
The small group of rebels in Uriente
province clashed with loyal troopers
yesterday afternoon. The rebels lost j
seven killed and several wounded. ' j
Five or six minor encounters between I \
rurales and rebels have also been rc.-'a
ported from various points. El Mundal']
quotes President Menocal as sayinfi i
that the yacht Julito, owned by fotv*
mer President Gomez, has been cantf '1
tured near Casilda in Santa
province by the captain of the porflotf
A re-election held in one precincS? .
of Cumanayagua, Santa Clara nro- <
vlnce, to decide the mayoralty of '
Clenfuegas, was won by the conserva !
tives. ]
BIG PRIZE FOR U-BOAT SINKING i
! Paris, Feb. 14.—A prize of 500,000 !
j francs for the crew of any French 1
[allied, or neutral vessel which sue' !
Iceeds in destroying an attacking sub '
marine Is provided for In a resolution !
introduced in the Chamber of Deputlc-s
to-day by Andre Lefevre. The reso '
iution says that the Germans are at I I
tacking without distinction ships of
all nationalities, armed or unarmed 1 !
and that this creates a new situation! 1 '
which must by no means be neglected
Single Copy, 2 Cents HOME EDITION
AMERICAN
SHIP SUNK
BY GERMAN
SUBMARINE
London, Feb. 14.—The American schooner Lyman
M. Law was sunk by a submarine on Monday, according
to a dispatch from the Stefani Agency of Rome. The crew,
including eight Americans, is reported to have been land
ed.
Commissioners Do Not ,
Favor Salary Increases
Members of the law committee of l
the County Commissioners Association
of Pennsylvania will meet here again
March 13 to take further action on
proposed legislation which may be in
troduced for passage this session.
The committee went on record late
yesterday afternoon as opposing pro
posed salary increases for county
treasurers and increasing fees allowed
to constables for making arrests. No
action was taken on proposed salary
increases for county commissioners.
Bills favored by the committee in
clude one which will abolish the pres
ent system of county tax collection
in third class cities by substituting a
receiver of taxes for ward collectors.
A law to provide three or four as
sessors for each county, to be elected
every four years, was favored. At
present there is an assessor in each
township.
XOTKD PRETZEL RAKER DIES
Chambersburg, Pa., Feb. 14.—Hen
ry Klipp, a noted pretzel baker, died
|at his home here yesterday after a
long illness. He was 77 years old.
"1.
SIXTY STLLION MARKS OR MAN WAR COST
LontiFeb. ;•?.—Germany's war cos-;, to date have
reached ' If. ;tai of siKty lillio: , ki. sjys a telegram
Irom Uci.'in orwarded by the correspondent .it Amsterdam
of Reuters Telegram Company, Lin;.ted. '
SCANDINAVIAN COUNTRIES PROTEST
London, Feb. 14.—Reuter's Copenhagen correspondent
i reports that Norway, Sweden and Denmark have handed to
I the German ministers identical notes protesting against the
; naval measures taken by Germany and Austria-Hungary
| .and making all reservations regarding the loss of life and
! material damage resulting.
U. S. CAVALRY MAY CROSS BORDER
Hachita, N. M., Feb. 14.—American cavalry troops may
! cross the international line to-day in an effort to rescue the
I three American Mormon cowboys who were carried o.T
Monday afternoon by armed Mexicans under command of
| Prudencio Miranda, said to be connected with Jose Salazar's
I Villa forct
ESPLGNE SAILS AS ADRIATIC ARRIVES
New York, Feb, 14. The French Line steamship,
! Espegne, with passengers and cargo, eft here to-daly for
> Bordeaux. The iner carries a defense gun mounted astern
! and among the passengers are several Americans. 'I he
White Star Line steamship, Adriatic, the first British i
j senger vessel to leave New York after Germany's unre
j stricted submarine warfare, arrived at Liverpool, Monday
! moming, according to a cablegram received here tp-day by
; *hc International Merchantile Marine. The .ship's cargo
! was valued at several million dollars. Tire vessel sailed
; February J and was armed with a six inch naval gun.
16 CHILDREN KILLED BY BOMBS
Berlin, Feb. 14. By Wireless. A dispatch frou.
Bruges, Belgium, to the Overseas News Agency, says tlia*
! sixteen children were killed last Sunday by bombs dropped
by British aviators in a crowd of skaters
;l
I
■ ■—
MARRIAGE LICENSES
rhnrlrx <• IIIMC IIIH.IT and Sarali Klithryn Hnrkrv, linrrlahurc.
:;! , .- vmnd . M* r " h ®r Knrper and 'ora Janr IIIHIntt. Ilarrlaburg.
Illjn Munich and Vllna Uelerx, South Rrtklrhrm.
I Patriot May Move to
Commonwealth Hotel Site
j Humor that the Patriot Company
j proposes to move from its present loca
j tion in North Market Square to the
Commonwealth Hotel site was preva
lent on the streets to-day, but lacked
official confirmation. It was said that
the company proposes to erect an
office building on the site in the course
of time. The hotel will be kept open
to July 1 at least.
Vance C. McCormick, president of
the company, was out of the city and
Henry B. McCormick, secretary, would
not comment on the matter. Donald
McCormick, who has charge of the
Commonwealth Hotel building, said
that he knew nothing of a building
program. He is not connected with
the newspaper.
RUES BANK FOR $23,000
Suit has been brought by John C.
Orr, trustee of the estate of H. It.
Simonetti, bankrupt, to recover $23,000
from the Harrisburg National Bank,
which, it is alleged, was paid to the
bank shortly before he was adjudi
cated a bankrupt in 1913.
U-BOAT IN FRENCH RIVER
Paris, Feb. 14.—A submarine yes
■ terday attacked the French coast p
I the mouth of Adour river, in the e?
l treme southwestern section, but did n
great damage.