The Des Moines Register from Des Moines, Iowa • Page 1

The Sew rork sr Oppen-hdm "holds you with a (trip that joesn't relax to the last syllable." He lias written "The Black Box" for jbe Sunday Register and leader. It begins March 7. i All departments of The RegtstM, uid Leader and The Evening Tribunal ire now located at Conrff im-nue, nhere the temporary print lug plant Is situated. IOWA'S GREATEST NEWSPAPER VOL. 66 NO.

245. DES MOINES, IOWA, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, PAGES. PRICE: TWO CENTS "ckvtV BLOW TO BELGIAN AID Germany to Refuse Safe Conduct of Relief Ships. Vessels Returning Must Follow Prescribed Route. GERMANY IS READY fi THE SIXTY-THIRD CONGRESS: WELL, GOODBY JOIN IN PROTEST TO TO ACCEPT MOST flF IT PRIKAISi' fee SEVEN CANDIDATES NAMING OF HUFFMAN A iu: i judge Martin Wade Holds Conference With Post-office Aspirants.

THE HAGUE (via London), March 2. The German government has determined to refuse to grant any more safe conduct for American relief ships to touch at English ports for coal on the homeward voyage, according to advices received here, and it Is also reported on the same authority that a permit for the return voyage to the United States will be given only to vessels which take the course north of the Shetland Islands. It is considered in influential circles In Holland that the efforts of the American commission of relief to save the civilian population of Belgium from starvation are thus threatened with immediate danger, as Rotterdam is the only practicable port through which the Belgians can be fed, and It is argued that the relief ships must be able to proceed to and from that port by the direct route with a safe conduct under the commission's flag, or the whole work of relief wil become absolutely hopeless for practical reasons. The American minister to the Netherlands, Henry Van Dyke, on being apprised of this report, Baid: "I am infinitely sorry for this. I have done by best to get a better answer from Berlin, but none comes.

Surely ships engaged in this humane work ought to be Bacred, but it seems not. Just now the case looks dark. God pity Belgium if the decision stands!" GIGANTIC PLOT BARED MANY BURIED IN MINE Explosion Traps 175 Workmen in West Virginia. Dr. Wilbur Conkling Stops Proceedings to Question Miss Dunlap.

i'lS'lS UIIUllIUIUlllV III III vesliffate Merchantmen Before Attacking1. WON'T GIVE UP MINES' Government Willing to Con, sider Disuse of Floating Explosives. PLANS TO GET FOOD Would Have United States Form Commissions to Distribute Cargoes. In a leiiKlhy official communication the RiiMslan uoxcrnment describes operations in north Poland and the CnriiHtliians, The Germans, according to this announcement, although offering MiiIiIk rn resiNtMiire to the Russian offensive, have been oblige)! to full bark to the northwest of Grodno and Mlwa and near the Fust Prussian frontier. The AuNtro-Geruiun ure also reported by IVlrograd to have been defeated in the Carpathian in a number of attaeks In which losses were heavy.

Although details are meager, it is believed that heavy fighting is going on in certain areas In Ihe western arena, to which war zone the, Germans are about to send considerable reinforce- inents. Xu further statements regarding the operations of the Anglo-French fleet In the Dardanelles have been Isnued officially, but nevspner advices report that (v forts well Inside the Dardanelles have been bombarded by the warships and that third fort has been shelled by naval lauding division, BERLIN (via Londos), March 3, Its reply to the American'1 not warning naval -otrar zone, tho German government agrees that under certain conditions its sub marines will halt and Investigate merchantmen and will proceed against only such vessels as are found to be carrying contraband op are owned In nations hostile to Germany. The reply declares Germany's readiness to accept virtually all of the American proposals except the) one which would restrict the use ot, anchored mines to purely dofenslver purposes. The German government) expresses the belief that belligerents cannot afford to abandon entireiyj the use of anchored mines for of fenslve operations. May Abandon Floating Mines.

It is willing to consider the a ha in donutent of floating mines. Iu case German submarines lak action, after investigation, againse1 merchantmen carrying contraband, or owned in hostile countries, it agreed that such action will be 1nj accordance with the general rules ot international law. ThlB presupposes, however, th abandonment of the use of neutrac flags by merchantmen of hostile nations or the arming of such, merchantmen. If such tactics were employed, Uerniany contends, it would he impossible to restrict the opera tlons of submarines in Ibis manner. Would Form Commissions.

i ne reply suggests that there bx Constituted III the rmintrins pr. tk-i cerned American commissions to which supplies, of foodstuffs for theJ use or civilian populations could bi consigned. This plan, it is said, is contemplated in the American pro posals, 1 He reply also suggests that these commissions should be allowed to Import and control the distribution of other articles, especially fodder, which are on the conditional contraband list In the declaration of Lon don. Germany stutes that iuterferencai with articles on the absolute freJ list In the declaration of London' should he abandoned. I'LKASKD WITH U.

S. NOTK. German Official Impressed With Its) Fairness. BKRLIN (by wireless to SayvilloJ. March 2.

most impressed us in the American note was the evident) spirit of absolute fairness iu which: the American government ap-l prnached the problem and its doslri to propose a solution which could Im accepted by both sides," said a high official of the German government today. "We endeavored in the reply to follow the same rule, The modifications we suggested are inspired by a desire to round out and complete the American proposals. "We are sure for instance that tha American government would have inserted the clnuse covering armed merchantmen if this subject had occurred to them. "The reservation regarding the offensive use of anchored mines is Justified by The Hague conventions which expressly authorize such procedure; and even therein It will be noticed that our note says only that we cannot renounce completely the use of such mines. "The government is convinced tbat the American proposals furnish an acceptable basis for a praotical solu- null ul luo ii racut utiiii.uii.ic9 uu nroblems of the maritime iltuatiua." CHAIRMAN SURPRISED Aid of Senators Cummins and Kenyon May Be Enlisted.

FAVORED BY BRYAN Objections Not Likely to Cause Withdrawal of Huffman's Name. Following a conference here last night with Judge Wade of Iowa City, democratic national committeeman, seven of the defeated candidates for the Des Moines postmastershlp wired to Washington a protest aealnst the appointment of George A. Huffman without giving them a hearing, and a requesi that confirmation by the senate be withheld. The signers are Steve Hill, J. W.

Hill, T. V. Duhigg, Charles O'Donnell, C. C. Loomis, H.

('. Kvans and C. F. Merritt. Judge Wade had come to Des Moinps ic explain to the candidates that the appointment was an entire surprise to him and that he had hud nothing to do with it.

He had assured all of them that thei recommendations would not be received a ad filed with the departmont until the first of April. There'ore they hud not filed either applications for ho appointment or indorsements. Couldn't Believe News. "I could not believe tie news ht-n It was first telephone! to me at Iowa City this morning," Judge Wade told a Register and Leader reporter last night. "When I down to my office, however, 1 found a telegram from Assistant Postmaster Ocncral Roper, confirming tho news.

"The appointment was made entirely without, my knowledge that tt as to he made. None of ita cattdU dates had even presented 111 papers In fact, I had declined even to consider, the Des Moines con teat until April. When I was in Washington last week Postmaster Genjral Burleson made no mention of the matter to me. The only time I said anything was on Saturday when an assistant in the department asked me what I knew about the situation iu Des Moines. I told Mm 1 had not begun to consider it and that I hoped to he relieved ofthat contest among others when 1 resigned from the place as national committeeman.

"While the appointment -vas not made in the regular way. experience tells me that the president had good and sufficient reasons for handling it as he did." Steve HiU Iresent. Steve Hill arrived in Des Molne3 luring the conference with Judge Wade. He bad wired from Waterloo, where he was yesterday, his eongrat-ilatlons to George A. Huffman.

After meeting Borne of his friends here, he lald'he did not know just what course ie would pursue. The conference brought out that the only thing that could ue done to block Huffman's getting, the place now would be to get Senator Cummins or Senator Kenyon to object to It. Under a precedent established in the senate, a senator can stop any appointment by declaring it Is personally objectionable to him. In an effort to enlist the opposition of Senate! Cummins protests were addressed to him by the defeated candidates. Information from Washington late las; night, however, was to the effect that the protests would not likely be of any avail.

John Fleming Denies Report. Friends of the defeated candidates id that the Flemings, who are close friends of Senator Cummins, had wired him asking him to stop Huffman's appointment. John Fleming laid last night that the report was not true. Harry Crenshaw of Adel, Seventh district state committeeman, was In Dfis Moines to consult with Judge He said that the appointment of Huffman had been a complete surprise to him, though an agreeable one. "None of the candidates, to my knowledge, has filed his recommendations," Mr.

Crenshaw said. T. Meredith also called on Judse Wade last night to discuss 'he Huftmann appointment. He declined to say afterward whether he had Joined in the wired objections. "I was opposed to Huffman and I not satisfied with his appointment," he admitted, however.

Cooler Wires Objection. During the day other protests had wn forwarded to Washington by Wends of the losing candidates. C. footer, chairman of the Polk flinty central committee, wired that 'he county organisation had strong objections to the appointment, particularly because It had been made without giving the other candidates ance to present their credentials. The chief point In the objections raised by the candidates, as a mat-'er of fact, was that they had not en accorded the usual privilege of nuking a representation of their culms to the office.

Mr. Huffman himself was bv th tk.t him I. beln SInst him 'he defeated candidates. He was My almost all day receiving friends upon him to offer their Al'STRIAXS KXECUTE 200 CIVILIANS I GALICIA All Victims Had Been Warned by Russians to Quit Town of Stanislau. LEMBERG, Galicia, (via London) March 2.

When the AustMans recaptured the town of Stanislau, In Galicia, they condemned to death and executed something like 200 civilians, according to trustworthy Information which has been brought Into Lent berg. Among the men executed were two Polish restaurant, proorietors end number of railroad laborers. All had been warned by the Russian authorities, the Russians having been in possession of Stanislau, to lea prior to the coming of Austrlans, but the men refused, relying on their Austrian citizenship for protection. The Austrlans are said to have come into Stanislau with prepared lists "Of citizens upon whom they uad decided to Inflict punishment 'or alleged offenses against the state. Hundreds of prisoners, including Bosnians and Turks, are arriving dally in Lemberg from the south.

Many of them come In with their limbs partly frozen. All except the Germans are half clother, th ir feet tied up In rags. PASSPORT FRAUD PROBE WAS ASKED BV PRESIDENT Wilson Admits He Directed Investigation of Alleged Irregularities. WASHINGTON, D. March 2.

President Wilson revealed today that he had directed the present New York grand Jury Investigation into the alleged passport frauds. It was indicated however, that unless indictments were returned the United States could not take notice officially of charges made against diplomatic officers or embassy attaches. The name of Captain Boy-Ed, naval attache of the German embassy, has been brought prominently Into one case. While international law holds a diplomatic officer immune from arrest it is said, it does not preclude indictment. In such an event the affair becomes a question of the acceptability of any officer involved.

President Wilson said today he had no official knowledge of reports that Count Bernstorff, German ambassador, was to leave his post here. PRESIDENT PRAISES IOWA BOY Commends Karle Veller, Champion Corn Raiser. WASHINGTON, D. March 2. President Wilson today shook hands with thirty-nine boys and girls, champion corn growers from Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Pennsylvania, New York and Massachusetts.

Earle Veller of Cooper, who raised 1S9 bushels on one acre, was especially commended by the president. Mayors Elected In Maine. PORTLAND, March 2. Elections In ten cities of Maine yesterday resulted in the choice of seven republican and three democratic mayors. In Auburn, where the progressives have been in control for three years, the republicans elected Henry R.

Porter as mayor. Other republican mayors were elected In Rockland, Watervtlle, Eastport. Ellsworth, Saco and South Portland. Democratic mayors were elected In Bath, Lewiston and Hallowell. Utah Iands in Dry Column.

SALT LAKE CITY. March 2. The Wootten statewide prohibition bill passed tho house late yesterday afternoon by a vote of 40 to 6. It passed the senate about two weeks ago. THE WEATHER TODAV.

WASHINGTON, D. March 2 Official forecast: Iowa 8now north and west, snow or rain southeast Wednesday; Thursday local snows. The excess of precipitation at Des Moines since Jan. 1 Is 2.79 Inches. Temperatures at Des Moines yes terday: a.

ra. I a. m. 10 m. 1 p.

m. p. m. p. m.

GEN. BUSSEY DIES IN WASHINGTON Famous Iowa Soldier and Statesman Passes Away After Short Illness. GOT: KIRK WOODS AID1E Given Rapid Promotions for Gallant Service in Civil War. Gen. Cyrus Bussey, one of the most prominent statesmen and soldiers Iowa ever produced, died late last night at his home in Washington, D.

according to word received this morning by Mrs. Ray G. Miller from her mother, Mrs. Isaac Lea Hillis. General Bussey was Til but a short time.

When word reached Des Moines that he was suffering from pneumonia, however, his daughter, Mrs. Hulls, went to Washington and was with him at the time of his death. He was 81 years old. Cyrus Bussey was born in Hubbard, 0., Oct. 6, 1833, the son of ft prominent Methodist minister.

After an experience in business and two years devoted' to the study of medicine, in 1866, he came to Bloomfleld, where he engaged in business. Four years later he was elected state senator on the democratic ticket. In 1860 he was a delegate to the Douglas democratic convention. Supported Governor Kirk wood. When, in 1861, war was declared, in common with most Douglas democrats In Iowa, he gave Governor Klrkwood assurance of his loyal support.

At the close of the memorable extra session, of which he was a member of the senate, he became aide de camp to Governor Klrkwood with the rank of lieutenant colonel, and was assigned to the duty of organizing troops in southeastern Iowa. He organized mounted riflemen in Lee, Van Buren and Davis counties as a protection to the border from incursions of Mlssourtans, but he hau no guns. Apprised of the approach of 1,500 confederates he took the responsibility of seizing at Keokuk a shipment of arms for the Fourth Iowa, en route to Council Bluffs, which, with ammunition he had secured from General Fremont, he was enabled to attack the enemy at Athens and compel their retreat south of the Missouri river. The governor, at nrst disposed to censure him, on learning the circumstances, commended bis course. He was made colonel and commissioned to raise a regiment of cavalry the famous Third Iowa cavalry.

Gallantry at Pea Ridge. Though unversed In military tac-tice, Colonel Bussey developed rare aptitude for the cavalry service. At Pea Ridge he was given th command of a brigade and distinguished himself for gallant and effective service. In Colonel Bussey's report of the battle it is found that his command included five companies of the Third Iowa cavalry under Lieutenant Colonel-Trimble and a number of other bodies of men, including Colonel Benton's Hussars, and Cap tain Elbert's battery. His men sud denly found themselves in front of several lines of confederate infantry drawn up In line to the front and right at short musket range.

These lines consisted of several regiments of Arkansas, Louisiana ard Texas troops. The Third Iowa cavalry wheeled into line facing the enemy when they New York Police Uncover Anarchist Intrigue. Killing of Money Barons and Pillage Planned. NEW YORK, March 2. The discovery of.

anarchistic plot Involving tb assassination of Andrew far negle, Cornelius Vanderbllt. John D. Rockefeller and his son, snd other wealthy men, and the organization of a reign of terror and looting In this city was announced by the police today after they bad arrested under dramatic circumstances a man who had Just placed two bombs in S. Patrick's cathedral where several hundred persons were worshiping. Today's sensational development was the climax of months of work by detectives In uncovering a conspiracy which they declared projected the opening of a campaign of violence and bloodshed without precedent in New York City.

So carefully had the police worked out their plans that the anarchist was even allowed to light the fuse of one of the bombs which he carried Into the cathedral despite the faot tbat the explosives were powerful enough to have damaged the edifice aud possibly killed many in it. Scarcely had the homb carrier Ignited the fuse when one of a half a hundred disguised detectives who were stationed In and about the church crushed the sputtering thread under his heel. The plotter was taken into custody Just as be was about to light the fuse of the other destructive Instrument. NAMES ROBERTS' SUCCESSOR 1'renlilenl Nominates Virginia Man for IMrerlor of Mini. WASHINGTON.

I). March 2. Robert W. Woolley of Fairfax, now auditor for the Interior was nominated today by President Wilson as director of the mint, to succeed (Jorge E. Roberts, resigned.

Representative Connolly of Iowa had been mentioned in official circles as a possible successor to Mr. Roberts, who also Is an Iowan. HOY ACCIDENTALLY KILLED Harry Slniler of Near Algoria Shot by Gun In Brother's Hand. AI.GONA. March Special: Harry Stuiler, 1 3-year-old son of John Studer, living on a farm twelve miles east of AlRona.

was accidentally shot by hln brother Inst night. The hoys were hunting rabbits with rifle and when one crawled under a fcnci' the weapon was dlBcha'Kf(j, the ball piercing the other's body. He walked to. the house and told his mother he was shot and died In ten minutes Park lonalel Mason Citv. MASON CITY.

la March 2 Kiw- cial: The city today became the owner of a half acre plot of ground in East Park place, when the deed to tne land was presented to the city by the Law Land company for park purposes. The land is known as Oak Park and la to be used for park purposes. Alleged Rank ItohlxM- Is Seized. WILLIAMSVILLK, March .1. Frank Wllkerson, who Is accused of having participated la ti robbery of the Willlamsvllle State hank yesterday afternoon when was stolen, was captured eleven miles from here today by a posse Wllker-ron, the authorities say, has' con fessed.

Mine Sinks Hritish Trawler. HULL (via London March 3. 12:31 a. m. The trawlc Sapphire has been sunk by a mine in the North sea.

The crew of eleven men were saved. Six Rescued Alive and One Body Is Recovered. HINTON, W. March 2. Six men had been rescued alive and jpnf Teoovercw eariy to night by rescue parties seeking to reach the 182 miners entombed early by an explosion today In the Lay-land mines of the New River and Pocahontas Consolidated Coal company, near Qulnnimount.

Nothing was known as to the fate of the men not yet reached. Even outside the mines, evidences were numerous that the force of the explosion was terrific. The arch over the main entrauce of the workings was destroyed, windows within a 800 yard radius were broken and the explosion was felt for miles around. A. B.

Cooper, who was delivering groceries to a house within seventy-fire yards of the mine entrance was blown against a telegraph pole and killed. The first rescue party which penetrated the mine, a drift working, found bad slate falls. They reported the air courses good. Guard linen hnve been established about the workings and only workers are permitted within them. Company officials refuse to give out any Information.

Hugh R. McMlllen, assistant mine boss, is among the missing. MANV ENGLISH UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ARE IN THE ARMY Two-thirds of Cambridge am? Oxford Undergraduates Joined Colors, Premier Announce. LONDON, March 2. Earl Kitchener's call on Oxford and Cambridge universities for recruits has met what Premier Asqultb, in the house of commons today, termed a "magnificent Mr.

Asquith's remarks were made in support of a bill granting to the universities special powers In financial matters to enable them to tide over the period of the war. Two-thirds of the undergraduates of the two universities have Joined the army, the total being close to All undergraduates physically fit for service and still In residence at the universities have Joined an officers training corps. Eighty of the eighty-nine members of athletic teams at the two universities have Joined the navy. Eighty-nine members of the staffs of the colleges at Oxford have gone Into active service. FAVORS HIGHWAY COMMISSION Wapello Supervisors Oppose Change in Road Law.

OTTUMWA, March 2. Special: The members of the Wapello county board of supervisors have expressed themselves as strongly opposed to any bill which would dispense with the state highway commission. Relations between the state body and the local m-an nave always been the most pleasant and members of the commission who have visited this county have been pleased with the work that has been done toward the improvement of the highways and the establishment of LJermanent roads. Football Injuries Fatal. WILMINGTON, March 2.

Robert Layfield. quarterback of the Johns Hopkins football team, whose hack was Injured In a game with Lehigh university at South Bethlehem, Oct. SI, died today at the home of his father, who Is the head of a big manufacturing concern. sissiolT storOne Retiring Woman Member Declines to Be Cross-Examined in Public. The last session of tho school board to be held before tho school election closed last night with an unexpected and dramatic finish when Dr Wilbur 8.

Conkllng. retiring member of the board and candidate for reelection, asked Miss Flora Dun-lap to confirm publicly alleged statements of unfair treatment of her as a member of tlie board by members of the board during her term of office, said to have been made by her. Dr. Conkllng, who had responded to an emergency accident cull ''arty In the evening, took his place at the board table. Prof.

C. N. Kinney, vice president of the board, whs presiding and was ready to entertain a motion for adjournment when Dr. Conkllng halted proceedings. "Just wait a moment, please, I want to ask Miss Dunlap a question before this meeting adjourns If I may be allowed," Dr.

Conkllng said. L'u-prepared for the nature of the question, Professor Kinney, acting chairman of the board, granted permission. Conkllng Put Question. "I Just want to ask you, Miss Dunlap, if I have not treated you as a lady as a gentleman should?" Dr. Conkllng asked.

Miss Dunlap calmly answered: "You ars as fair a Judge of that as I am. Our standards may not be the same." "Then you leave It to me to say whether or not you -have been making statements. In Just what manner, may I ask, has the board been unfair to you? Then you have made these statements or caused them to be circulated? I have heard upou numerous occasions that you are said to have made such statements, persisted Dr. Conkllng. "Not, possibly, In those words," Miss Dunlap responded quietly, "Then 1 am to understand that you did make those statements?" questioned Dr.

Conkllng. "If you care to question me I will gladly make an appointment," Miss Dunlap replied. '1 do not care to be cross-examined publicly." Profesor Kinney Interposes. Professor Kinney here interposed by suggesting that Blnce the question was a personal affair between Mfss Dunlap and Dr. Conkllng the time of the board should not be taken up in a dlscusison.

"I really do think this is a question which should come before the board," Dr. Conkling said. "It involves every member of the board and I think Miss Dunlap should, have opportunity at this time to say to the board members wherein we bave failed In our duty toward her." "I do not see why I should be cross-examined publicly and I certainly sha. not answer a question so put," Miss Dunlap said, addressing the acting chairman. A motion for adjournment put an end to the discussion.

Completes Election Plans. The school board completed its plans for the annual school election ii im lie eoo iK i.r p. m. ..11 COWTINCM) ON COMJKJf i-.