'Austria Informs V. S. It Will Support HARRISBURG iSSgffii TELEGRAPH (Hie Star- Unftepmbrnt LXXXVI — No. 56 16 PAGES AUSTRIA SUPPORTS RUTHLESS WARFARE; BREAK SEEMS SURE AMERICA TOLD NEUTRALS MUST BEAR LOSSES IN BLOCKADE ZONE Freedom of Seas For Non- Belligerants Applies Only to Persons Not on Board Enemy Vessels, Dual Mon oarchy Informs Washington in Answer to Pointed Note. RESERVES RIGHT TO FIGHT OWN WARFARE Vienna Says It Has Done Its Duty by Warning Passen gers to Stay off the Seas; Would Have Americans Keep off British Ships to Avoid Death. By Associated Press London, March 6.—The American j inibassador at Vienna has been hand ed the reply of the Austrian govern ment to the American note inquiring as to the position of the Austrian gov ernment in regard to unrestricted sub marine warfare, according to a Vi enna dispatch to Reuter's byway of Amsterdam. The reply declares that neutrals are responsible for losses they suffer' by entering territory where warlike j operations are taking place. The American note, which was dis- ; patched to Vienna on February 18, I asked specifically whether the Austrian \ assurances given following the sinking of the Ancona and the Persia had been nullified. The reply was "that what ever attitude the Washington cabinet may take as to individual questions raised here," the Austro-llungarian Hungarian government is "essentially in accord with the American govern ment in regard to the protection of neutrals against endangering their lives." The memorandum then main tains that "neutral subjects have to bear themselves all losses they suffer by entering territory where warlike operations are taking place." Declare Blockade Illegal After a lengthy discussion of the British blockade, which it declares is illeKal. the memorandum continues: "The principle that neutrals should enjoy in war times the advantages of Ihe freedom of the seas refers only to neutral vessels and not to neutral persons aboard enemy vessels." The reply further contends that bel ligerents are entitled to decide for themselves what measures should be taken against an enemy in sea traf- j lie and concludes: "In such cases neutrals have no other legitimate interests and there fore no other claim than that a belligerent inform them in time of a ; prohibition directed to an enemy so that they can avoid entrusting their lives and their goods to enemy ves sels." Doesn't Want IJrcak The Austrian memorandum refer ring to the note on the Ancona case, says that it "strictly adheres to the assurance already given." At the same time Austria calls atten tion to the fact that at the time of the Ancona incident it stated that it "reserved the right to brin" up later for discussion difficult international questions which arose in connection with submarine warfare." The mem orandum then adds: "If the Austro-Hungarlan govern ment now refers to this reservation and briefly discusses the question of the sinking of enemy vessels to which that note refers it is guided by a desire to show the American govern ment that now, as heretofore, it strictly adheres to the assurance al ready given and endeavors, by clear ing up that important question be cause it touches the laws of humanity, to avoid misunderstanding between the monarchy and the American union." [THE WEATHER I For llnrrlxliurtf und vicinity! Fair nnil MllKhtly warmer to-nlKht, with lament temperature about ■MI ilearee| Wednesday (air and m nrmer. For Knxtern Pennaylvnnlm Fair to night. MllKhtly warmer In next portion) Wednesday fair, nnrmfri moderate variable winds becom ing aoutheiiat. River The main river and all IJn branched nbove IlnrrlMburK will fall xlowly or remain nearly Ktntlonary. No material chmiKen have occurred In the lee nltuntlon In the lower SuMquehHnnn ho far iin known. The river at HurrlxhurK eloaed again Innt night and In expected to remain Icebound and nearly stationary at a xtnge of 10.5 to 11.0 feet. Genernl Conditions The Houthern dlxturbance that linx eauxed unxettled weather and precipitation generally over the eantern half of the country dur ing the pant week, hax moved off the North Atlantic comit. It hux eauxed preclultntlon In the !nxt twenty-four liourx, mostly xnow, from the I.nke Heglon and Upper Ohio Valley eastward to the At lantic coast, the heaviest snow tailing In the New Knglnnd Slates. Temperature) 8 a. ni„ 19 degrees above *ero. Sum Rises, 0)31 a. IU. .Moon i Full moon. March 8, SiOlt p. m. Illver Stage) JO.O feet above low water mark. 1 MAY BE HOME SOON .w ... r .... . ..V. .A . ••+ • • -V.-. ...... • : . • • / • " ;•:/* ,y 1 AM&ASS/iDOR PENFIEXD Ambassador Penfield who received the Austrian reply to the American note in which the dual monarchy de clares it will support the German campaign of ruthlessness on the seas. U.S. BREAK WITH AUSTRIA ALMOST DEEMED CERTAIN Little Hope Left as Note Ad heres to General Principle of Ruthlessness By Associated Press Washington, March 6. —Austria's note declaring adhesion to the general principles of unrestricted submarine warfare holds out little, if any, hope that a break between the United States and the Vienna governments may be avoided. The complete official view of the Austrian communication will not be made known until after President Wilson and Secretary Lan sing have carefully studied the of ficial text which was before them to day. Also the subject was scheduled to come up for discussion at to-day's meeting of the cabinet. It was con sidered probable that the course of the United States toward Austria might, tentatively at least, be deter mined upon then. Austria's effort to substitute for the individual warning every merchant [Continued on Page I] Harrisburg Woman Alleges Brother Is Short $200,000 in Estate Administration In Orphan court at Pottsville yes terday, Mrs. Charles Ivirby, 1100 Green street, this city, was one of two petitioners who requested that Charles Kaier, of Philadelphia, son of the C. D. Kaier. millionaire brewer of Mahanoy City, be removed as executor of the estate. Judge Wilhelm heard the argument for the petitioners. Mrs. Kirby and another sister, al lege that Charles, their brother, re sides in Philadelphia, and has neglect ed his duties in attending to the es tate. The brother is also charged with wasteful management and it is alleged that his actions have not been accord ing to the provisions of the will, and •hat he is in error in his accounts to thos extent of $200,000. It was proposed to sell the property, but Court blocked this proposition to day, when the request was presented for the ousting of Charles as executor. Attorneys say that if young Kaier does not retire as executor they will show the court good reasons why he should be dismissed. As an acquaintance of Grace Rob erts, the murdered corset model, of Philadelphia, Kaier acquired consider able notoriety several months ago. particularly after it was shown that the young woman had been a visitor to this county, but Kaier has persis tently denied any knowledge of the manner in which she met her death, and no evidence has been found to contradict him. Beidleman Urges River Bridge at Millersburg Senator E. E. Beidleman at a big meeting in the First National Bank building, Millersburg, last night, as sured his audience that he will sup port the movement under way to have a bridge erected there, connect ing Perry and Dauphin counties. Re cently at the annual banquet of the Millersburg Motor Club speakers spoke of the possibility of providing for the bridge at this session of Legislature. As Senator Beidleman could not bo present, the meeting last night was arranged so that he could be present. Senator Beidleman declared that he will make every effort to have action taken on the question before Legis lature adjourns. The meeting wus one of the most enthusiastic ever held in connection with the bridge project. Numerous advantages to not only Dauphin, but adjoining counties, have been pointed out, to gether with the need of a connecting link in tlie upper end of this county. HARRISBURG, PA.,TUESDAY EVENING, MARCH 6, 1917. PRESIDENT MAY ORDER VESSELS ARMED WITHOUT FURTHER PARLEY Question Now Before Attorney General Gregory For Im mediate Consideration; His Decision on Old Laws to Be Placed Before Cabi net at Meeting Today. PLAN TO SWEEP ASIDE OLD TECHNICALITIES Secretary Lansing Believes Administration Can Pro ceed to Protect American Rights Without Waiting For Senate to Specially Grant Permission. IBy Associated Press Washington, March 0. President I Wilson, it was stated authoritatively to-day, will do everything possible to find a way to arm American ships and protect them in other wavs from sub marine danger, despite the failure of the Senate to pass the bill giving him specific power. A final decision on whether the President can legally arm the ships without specific authoriza tion, is expected shortly. An extra session of Congress before July 1 to pass appropriation measures, if for no other purpose, seemed to day to be certain. If the Senate amends its rules so prompt action can be taken on an armed neutrality bill, an extra session of Congress may be expected within the next two or three weeks. Messages, apparently spontaneous, which came to government officials to day from all parts of the country, criticised in bitter terms the senators who prevented action on the armed neutrality bill. Senators Hedge Senators Vardaman, Democrat, of Mississippi, and Kenyon, Republican, of lowa, two of the twelve senators who did not sign the Senate manifesto in favor of the armed neutrality bill and who were included in the group referred to by President Wilson as "a little group of wilful men," who had rendered the country "helpless and contemptible" before the world, ex plained to the Senate to-day that they had not been in complicity to prevent a vote on the bill. Senator Williams, replying particu larly to his colleague, declared em phatically that President Wilson was right in his criticism of a few senators who made legislation by an over whelming majority impossible in the nation's crisis and that whatever might have been their motive they and not Congress were responsive for the United .States being "helpless and con temptible" before the world. The question was referred to Attor ney General Gregory and Secretary Lansing and probably will be decided in time for consideration at to-day's Cabinet meeting—the first to be held in the new administration. A determination to arm the merchant men if a legal way to do so can be found was generally apparent. Technicalities raised by members of his own Cabinet, as well as the shame ful action of the twelve Senate paci fists, have shackled the Nation in its attempt to defend itself against the slaughtering submarines. Even among certain members of the administration there is more concern lest the United States violate technicalities than there is over German's violation of the Na tion's rights. Secretary Lansing, of the State De partment, believes that the United States can proceed at once toward the arming of merchantmen. The pacifist element, however, believe that the moss-covered statutes of 1818 and 1819, which were the outcome of the War of 1812, would make such gov ernment action now a virtual declar ation of war against Germany. Three Men Killed and Six Hurt in Pennsy Crash Between Freight Trains By Associated Press Norristown, Pa., March 6. —Three railroad men were killed, one was so badly hurt he is expected to die and five others were seriously injured to day in a wreck of freight trains in the yards here of the Schuylkill Valley Di vision of the Pennsylvania Railroad. The dead: Fireman Gnoza, of Norristown. Brakeinan Holbig, of Philadelphia. Brakeman McGrltisli, -118 ICu.st Nor wegian street, Pottsvillc. Seriously Injured: Conductor Schultz, Norristown. Conductor lloult, Philadelphia. Engineer Charles, 408 Barber street, Pottsvllle. Engineer Keller, Philadelphia. Brakeman Charles Miller, Pliiladel phia. Fireman Welghtnian, 213 Morgan street, Plioenlxvllle. According to officials of the Penn sylvania Railroad the wreck was due to one of the train crews disregarding signals. Both trains were westbound. One of them had orders to cross over to another track in the yards and while doing so was run into by the other freight. Both locomotives were badly damaged. Four freight cars and a cabin car were wercked. The wreck blocked the yard tracks. The main tracks of the Schuylkill Valley Division were not affected. MT. UNION WRECK CAUSED BY CHAIN OF CIRCUMSTANCES Operation of Freight on Pas senger Track Was First Contributory Factor CENSURE FOR BRAKEMAN Investigator Dohoney Explains How Signal System Operates on Middle Division A combination of circumstances, the absence of any one of which would have prevented a calamity, is given to-day by John P. Dohoney, chief of the bureau of accident investigation of the Public Service Commission, as the reason for the wreck last week on the Pennsylvania Hallroad at Mt. Union, when 20 persons were instantly killed. Censure for the flagman on the pass enger train is contained in the report. The signal system in use on the Mid dle division of the railroad also Is said not to be as satisfactory as the one in use on the Philadelphia division. Dohoney's report shows that the ex press train reached the Mt. Union sta tion fourteen minutes behind schedule. The freight train was approximately five miles distant and had been di verted to the passenger track by a broken rail on the regular freight track. Due to Minor Accidents "This was the first contributory fact or in bringing about the collision." says Mr. Dohoney. "Another was cre ated when the discovery was made that a brake on the passenger train was defective.. This failure prevented the Continued on Page IS ENTENTE DIRECTS HARD DRIVES ON WESTERN FRONTS Important Military Operations Reported in Two Sections of Franco-Belgian Front Military operations of importance are taking place in two sectors of the Franco-Belgian front. The British have extended their activities further south on the Somme region and Berlin to-day reports an attack near Bouchavesnes, north of Peronne. This is declared to have been repulsed and an effort to repeat it frustrated. North of Verdun severe engage ments are still in progress along the line near Caurieres wood where in roads upon the French positions were recently made by the Germans. Paris reported last night the recapture of some advanced positions which the Germans had occupied in their attack the day previous. An effort was made by the Crown Prince's troops last night to retake these lost trenches but Paris to-day declares the attempt was futile. On the Russian front in Galicia, Berlin announces a repulse of a Rus sian night attack near Brzezany and the breakdown of an assault made by Russian contingents in the Kelemen mountains near the northern end of the Rumaian front. ASK ENGINEER FOR ESTIMATE ON ASH SURVEY | Commissioner Cross Will Ask Cost of Investigation and Recommendations City Commissioner E. Z. Gross noti fied Council this morning of his inten tion to ask Farley Gannett, consulting i engineer, to submit an estimate of the ! cost of an ash and garbage survey in j Harrisburg, together with recommen ! dations as tothe disposal of all re j fuse after the expiration of the pres ent contract with the Pennsylvania Reduction Company. Although this will not authorize Mr. Gannett's employment, it was explain ed, it will be the first step in making the proposed survey. Commissioner Gross' plan was sanctioned by Com- I missloner William H. Lynch, who fav ors employing a sanitary engineer to study the situation and make recom mendations. Although weather conditions have [Continued on Page 1] MOTHERS-IN-LA W, NOODLES, ANDSHOWLEADHIMASTRA Y Mothers-in-law, noodles and bur lesque shows all came in for a share o fthe blame when Mrs. Sarah E. Wil son appeared against her husband, Kaust Leon Wilson, in Dauphin coun ty court, to-day, charging him with non-support. Mrs. Wilson alleged that even while her husband was working for $8.40 a week at Grantham In a noodle fac tory, he didn't support her and their children properly. The court sug gested that probably purchasing noo illcs at wholesale rates might have IH'B'G RAILWAYS I EARNINGS JUMP DESPITE STRIKE j Gross Receipts $100,008.30 More; Net $21,- 261.63 REFL EC T S PROSPERITY Report at Annual Meeting Com plains of Income and Excise Taxes Despite the strike on the lines of the Harrisburg Railways Company last summer the net earnings of the corporation for 1916 were $21,264.65 greater than in 1915, the report of the officials at the annual meeting of the stockholders to-day shows. The gross earnings for the year I were $1,015,004.37, as compared with $914,936,07 in 1915, an Increase of $100,068,30. This big jump in the gross earnings of the company in the face of a strike of Its platform men and the opera tions of unlicensed jitneys reflects the ; general prosperity of the past year i as have few financial statements made public in this city, j While the gross earnings of the | company were more than SIOO,OOO, I the net earnings increased only $21,- 264.65 because of the Increased main tenance expenses caused by the strike and means employed to end the labor trouble, the report to the stockhold ers points out. liast Year's Strike "During the year $77,115.08 was expended for maintenance," says the report. "The operations of your com- Continued on Page IS NO DANGER OF IMMEDIATE FLOOD COMMISSION SAYS Will Take Heavy Rain or Much Warmer Weather to Start Ice "There is no immediate danger of a Susquehanna llood," Ralph Hos mer, of the State Water Supply! Commission declared this morning, j "Conditions along the watershed re-' main practically the same, with the I exception of local ice movements. I "Unless much warmer weather ar rives or there is a heavy rainfall, the 1 river will not cause any damage j soon." The river at this point closed early this morning. Slush filled the river | from bank to bank before it jammed 1 up. The river is not closed above RockviUe nor below the dam. A river j stage of 10.9 feet is reported at Har risburg with slight possibilities of a change. Slightly warmer is promised by E. i R. Demain, forecaster for to-night! but the "slightly" is only a matter of two degrees. The lowest tempera-j ture reached last night was 18 degrees above zero and the prospect for to night is 20 above. Moderate variable winds are cx- ! pected to waft clear weather lor! Wednesday. The freeze last night halted the I thaw and prevented much more wa-: ter draining into the stream. At Highspire and Middletown where conditions were growing dangerous because of backwater, the water is receding to-day. CHANGE OF DATE FOR INAUGURAL AGAIN SUGGESTED Bad Weather Given as Reason For Abandoning March Exer cises at Capital By Associated Press Washington, March 6. —President Wilson to-day took up the work of his second four-year term, while thou sands of visitors who thronged the capital yesterday to witness the pub lic inaugural ceremonies or march in i parade, filled every outgoing train j homeward bound. Many soldiers, sail ors and cadets remained, however, to give the city at least part of the gala spirit that pervaded it yesterday, and many excursionists still crowded the hotels or visited public buildings. Up and down historic Pennsylvania avenue, through which the Inaugural procession tramped In review past the [Continued on Page 4] helped, but Mrs. Wilson answered that she "couldn't live on noodles all the time." Finally the court ordered Wilson to pay $3.00 toward the support of his children, after Mrs. Wilson refused to go back to Orantham and live with her husband. "If the court had the power, we would make an order to have the mothers-in-law live togeth er," Additional Judge 8. J. M. McOarrell remarked as he heard the testimony of the marital troubles, each blaming the other's parent for part of the trouble. GERMAN PLOT FOR INVASION OF INDIA FOILED BY POUCE No Knowledge of What Success Chinese Agent Had Can Be Gained From Prisoners Who Say That They Have Received No Report Ten Thousand Boxes of Secret Preparation and Official Papers Are Seized by U. S. Agents By Associated Press New York, March 6. Dr. C. Hana j- do Chakiaberty, a Hindoo physician, ! and' Dr. Ernest Sckunner, 34, describ ed as a German, were arrested to-day | on charges of conspiring to set up a I military expedition against a foreign country on friendly relations with the United States. The police say the men confessed that they had plotted under direction of Wolf von Igel to invade India byway of China. Von Igel. in dicted but never tried for complicity i in an alleged plot to destroy the Wei land canal, is with Count Von Uerns torff, former German ambassador to the United States, who is approaching Copenhagen on the steamer Frederick VIII. From Von Igel, according to the po ; lice, Dr. Chakiaberty and Sckunner, j who have been suspected for some j time, received $60,000, and the Hin | doo, posing as a Persian merchant, ob | tained a passport which enabled him to get to Berlin. In this connection an ! additional charge of fradulently ob | taining a passport has been made against the physician. Have Confessions 1 Dr. Chakiaberty, according to alleg ed confession, revealed his plans of an invasion of India to certain officials in Berlin and then returned to New York where he and Von Igel prepared literature printed in various native India languages. In the house In West ! One Hundred and Twentieth street : where the two men were arrested to day, the police seized large quantities [ of literature and found also a complete i chemical laboratory. After the literature was prepared, j according to the police. Dr. Chakla i berty and Sckunner employed as their agent influential Chinamen whom they ; sent to his native country with the I LODGE INTRODUCES NEUTRALITY BILL ] ; Washington, March 6. —Senator Lodge, nf Massa- j ! i~ oduced in the Senate to-day the armed neu- J ; . i hich failed of passage Sunday. When he asked l| ; dc ence to the foreign relations committee, Senator !; ! a ol Colo.udo, made the point of order that Congress j ! v-s not in session, which Vice-President Marshall aua~ J | t-'ned 1 j FIGHT ON CLOTURE RULE ON ; ; Washingum, March o.—When the new Senate met at | noun today, Senator Owen, of Oklahoma, laying the foun- j ft • J j d