The New York Times from New York, New York • Page 1

"All the News' That's Fit to; Print" THE WEATHER Rain, warmer today; cloudy and colder Tuesday. gSTFor full wMihw report see Tit IS. VOL. LXVI.V.NO. 21,583.

NEW YORK, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1917. SIXTEEN PAGES. iXKV. PFNT Grralw Mew York, naewbere, Urtrj VjlFi I JerMjr City and Newark, TWO CJt.NTS. I PREDICTS GENERAL FOOD PRICE BREAK WITHIN FORTNIGHT Commissioner Hartigan Expects Crcps and Stocks from West to be Effective.

EMERSON BLAMES EXPORTS Finis Little Suffering, but Sees Hardship Near Unless Sit- uation Relieved. miCE AGITATORS ORGANIZE Ownwr Deeilea Charging Plot, but Explains That Pro pa a and lata Exaggerated Trouble. TTnTle development yesterday supported the opinion generally none iruo'le officials that there was Tte widespread suffering because of lack ef feod acd that bearish- tnflueneea waul, cause a decided break In prices la tho reasonably near future, the organisations end IndlvlduaJe active la the agitation against high prices re-t jad to believe that relief would coma without their efforts. and formed themselves lata a permanent" rganisa ln. with the purpose of obtaining cheaper food by radical actios.

Health Commissioner Haven Emerson submitted to the Mayor report In which tt vu represented that the in crease In the -export of staple foodstuffs from 1914 to 1918 had been even rmttr than was popularly con jectured, and bad had a marked in finance on high prices: that the amount of perishable food held ft the told toraae plant of the city was not unusual that tho retail dealers in food were hot exacting; disproportion ate profits. In some cases even selling at loa. ami that there la leas depen dency and real need In the city -than has beea common for many years V. The report twrtber that, there did aot seeia to be any sadden or re tently developed emergency in the food situation In the city." and Joseph Mar tig an. Commissioner of the Mayor's Bu reau cf Weight and Measures, agreed by saying that -toe present situation eoald not te called a crisis.

Tet both were of the opinion expressed by Char ities Commissioner Kingsbury in his report to the Mayor on Friday that there fcsd been a steady rUe la the prices of food that had begun to plnoa faro lea of small income and would aoon cause real suffering if not checked. That the rise would be checked. Mr. liartlgan repeated, and to the evidence cf a beginning of the break In 'prices which he presented oh Saturday after-neon in the case of onions and poultry was added the fact that on Saturday right potatoes at wholesale dropped from 110 and fll.SA for a. barret of ISO pounds to and 1HX.73 a barrel in the aUabout Market.

This decline was not reported ant 11 yesterday, and Commissioner Hartigan took it to mean that the lenlng of (he potato, onion, and poultry markets this morning; would see a general failing; off in prices, which would be followed by dally drops, until the arrival. Urge quantities ef foodstuffs now approaching New Tork on dear tracks would causa the real break. Mr. Hartt-grui i pec ted the full effect of the receipt new season produce, added to the influence of boycotts, probable Government action, and tho approach ef the Spring season, te be felt within two weeks. The chief contributing cause ef the decline, thought, would coma, from the fact ti at railroads had succeeded in opening; tusir tracks and sending empty care from New Tork to food production centres, i Governor Whitman, who was at the St.

yesterday, was hit by advancing prl'-ea he a he fubnd many dishes on the hotel menu 10 cents dearer than on Sat-tirdar. The Governor said that In ap plying the terms and Inspired to the food agitation on Sal tursay. he had not meant to charge the movement against high prices was originated or engineered by persons with ulterior but that all lawlessly inclined persons as well as partisans ef the Central Towers were lending their tvi-es sad energies to make the. Dole louder than It would bo onder the Influence of simple dissatiefscUoB with recent conditions. I did not mean to Intimate, said the GeverrxT.

that any particular foreign element la the city was responsible for the disorders of the last few days, but that persons normally inclined to make trouble, to stir up disturbances against anything- and every thing, had taken advantage of the opportunity afforded in the present situation to excite the people. Also, no doubt, some of the comparatively few persons In New Tork. whose most active sympathies are with certain belligerent have done what they ould to keep the agitation going. no Information that the disorders ere the result of-a plot or conspiracy, The principal anti-high price organization meet'ng was held in the afternoon in Public School C2, at Essex and Hester rreeta, under the auspices of the Moth-eis' Anti-high Price League, which Invited delegates from labor unions and rther bodies to be present. A committee, to be known as the People's Permanent "rood Conference Commute, was farmed te take charge cf the general situation.

Csatlafsed Page S. THTB liXEEBKIEa walte SVIOBur I PwiKaa. Va. ideal time (or the cure, fc vair ass sist doe tew lark. AavU Neutral Envoys Confer with Bethmann Hollweg JLONDOX.

Feb. 25. The German Chancellor. Dr. von Bethmannf Hollweg-.

is reported by tho Exchange Telegraph's Copenhagen correspon-dent to have Invited the Ambassadors and Ministers of neutral countries to a conference yesterday at ths Foreign In which Foreign Secretary Zimmerman took part. REPUBLICANS HAY REYIVE FILIBUSTER Senate Minority Not Ready to Abandon. Fight for an Extra Session. PLAN AFOOT FOR CLOTURE Many Administration Bills Doomed Unless New Congress Is called. eciaJ to I-se JTew reek Tim.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 23. The agree ment reached last night to keep the Revenue bill constantly before the Senate vjstil Its final disposition on Wednesday night, proves today to anything but a settlement of the major questions involved in the threatened Republican filibuster. That filibuster was planned, not to kill particular pieces of legtsU.Uor.

but to force an extra session of Congress. This purpose has not yet been abandoned, and if even a small number of Seottc should decide to adhere to it. last night's agreement pta them In a stronger position than ever for delay ing; so many appropriation bills that an extra session would be necessary to prevent, the crippling of the govern mental machinery for lack of funds. It Was never the purpose of the He publicans to kill the Revenue bill, they say. They feel that the next Congress.

even with Its closely divided house, holds out no hope of revenue legislation satisfactory te tbcm, and If unsatis factory leglslaUon is to be passed they would preier that-it reached enactment now when. Democratic responsibility is undivided. But the unanimous consent agreement of last night makes it cer tain that this bill, which would have been passed anyway, will prevent con sideration of all other measures until three days before the end of the session. The only exceptions relate to the Flood Control bill supported by Tjiulaian Benatora. Which ny.y takrs wp-for not mora tftan five hours tomorrow, and, the comparatively unimportant Indian ApproprlaUon biiu which, under the agreement, must be disposed of aftet two hours' considera tion tomorrow.

Neither or these bills affecU the general congestion on the calendar, and when the vote is taken on the Reveuue bill av o'clock Wednesday night, six major appro priation bills, a host of nominations and soMie important general measures will remain to be disposed of. May Fores aa Estra Session. In this situation, four determined Sen ators can prevent the enactment of almost everything. It remains to be seen whether Republican Senators, or any Sufficient group of them, will take the responsibility of.thus forcing the President to call Congress in session. There is undoubtedly a general feeling among the Republicans that the President should not be left for nine months to handle the foreign crisis without legislative ad vice.

A well-informed Repub lican said this afternoon that this situ ation' had not been changed by the agreement on the Revenue bill and that la his opinion an extra session would have to be called. 4 These Republicans believe that the President, in calling an extra, session of the Senate almost at the last hour, opened the way for the accomplish ment of certain things on which he has set his heart without in any way meet Ing their desires that Congress sUnd at hia elbow in touch with every foreign development. They point out that the Senate alone can consider only nomine Uons and treaties, and they expect the President to urge before the Senate in Its extraordinary session confirmation of the treaty with Colombia, which has rested so long- on the Senate's calendar. and the appointment of Dr. Cary Gray son-te be Rear Admiral.

It was intimated, in high quarters yes terday that there was one other matter that the President wanted to hav con sldered by the Senate at Its session after March 5. That Is a revision of the rules permitting- unlimited debate It Is under these rules, of course, that the present filibuster Is 'possible, and the President wishes to see the repetition of this situation made Impossible. Some provis ion for cloture in the Senate rules would accomplish this result, and a fight on the subject la expected. Nearly 110 years have elapsed since the Senate rules were amended in any Important particular. There has always bean a' radical minority In the Senate that favored limiting the time of debate, and this minority succeeded a.

year ao in inducing the Democratic conference to appoint a committee to investigate and report at the next session. But wide differences of opinion prevailed, and the fight was not brought to the floor of the AdsBlalstratlea Bills Deeaaed. By The Associated Press. WASHINGTON. Feb.

23. That nearly all, pending general legislation so long urged by the President must fall at this session of Congress now Is practically conceded by every one. If the revenue. army and navy, sundry civil and minor appropriation measures still pending get through, that la all that the most sanguine Democrats expect. Substitution of a lump appropriation for the River and Harbor bill Is almost conceded.

The Public Buildings bill la generally ad mitted to be dead. The Flood Control bill will be talked to death tomorrow In the five hours allotted to It. Railroad Ceatleaed Pace 4. A BRKAKFAKT VOl'LL RELISH. seme txi.Ka imnnn rtrm eauuca wuji kb ca.

Just greatt Oraar tsday. 4t. Seal Utked Dwarf oot. firm 5auaa with EDWIN GOULD, JR, KILLED ON HUNT BY HIS OWN GUN Was Clubbing 'Coon Caugbt in Trap When Trigger Caught, Firing the Weapon. SHOT SEVERED AN ARTERY Young Hunter Died Before His Sole Companion on Lonely Island Could Give Aid.

FATHER IS BRINGING BODY Mother Prostrated at News of Trag edy, Which Occurred hjear Jekyl Island. Special to Tae Wew York Times. BRUNSWICK. Feb. 25.

Edwin 23 years old. who was stay ing- at his father's Winter home on 'Jekyl Island, was killed last night by the dis charge of a shotgun In his hands while he was trying to kill a raccoon found In p. trap he had set. With Noyes Reynolds, tutor to the children -of Tracy Dows of. New Tork on Jekyl Island.

Gould left Jekyl yes terday afternoon in a canoe for tham'a Hammock, a inland about two miles from Jekyl, owned by his father, to hunt raccoons and to look at traps set on a former visit to the place. which is infested with these small anl mals. Gould found a large raccoon fastened In a trap and began to strike it with the butt of his gun. The gun was discharged, the load of shot penetrating his left groin, making a wound about Inches In -diameter, severing the femoral artery and lodging In the pelvla. Gould died of profuse hemorrhage from the wound in a few minutes, and before any assistance could be rendered him.

I-ef the Body Called Help. Reynolds tried to drag the body to the canoe, but was unable to do so. He fell into the water in his haste, and experi enced some difficulty la reaching Jekjrl island, where his cries at the wharf brought assistance. A motor boat wal dispatched to Hammock and the body was brought to Jekyl about 11 O'clock last night. This morning it was brought to Brunswick and embalmed for the Journey to New York.

The private car Dixie, owned by Ed win Gould. was at Brunswick and was sent to Thalmann Junction on the Seaboard Air Line to meet Mir. Gould, who was at St. Augustine, at the time of the accident. A special train is now on the way to New York, carry ins; Mr.

Gould and the body of his Expressions of deep sympathy were heard on ell sides, aa young Gould And his father were both popular here, where they had come every Winter for years. It was not until late today that full details of the accident were learned. Gould and Reynolds had intended to spend the night on the island hunting coons, traps for which had been set in many, parts of the hammock. After walking for some time over the island. Gould and Reynolds came upon one of the traps In which a large coon waa struggling, held fast by one foot Followed a Local Castosa.

Many sportsmen would have shot the coon, but Oould. it was said, followed the custom of the natives, who kill trapped animals with a club in order not to injure the hide. He struck the coon acres the head with his gun. hold lng the barrel in his hands. The first blow waa not sufficient or was avoided by the animal's frantio efforts to es cape, "11)11 the hunter struck again.

It waa the second blow that evaa followed by the discharge of the gun, which waa loaded with blrdahot. Reynolds. who was within a few foet of where Gould fell, rushed to his side, to find him mortally hurt. ersons nere laminar with young Gould'a methods of bunting say he was accustomttd to carrying- his gun cocked. lie used a hammer gun In preference te the baminerless.

It is supposed that In the present case the trigger caught on branches or in the trap. Stories of carelesnsa on the part of Could were told tonight by several former, hunting mates. One 'local hunter said he had long considered it dangerous to go shooting- with' Gould, as he always carried his -un cocked. On one occasion, said this hunter, the gun waa accidentally discharged, but without doing any damage. The island where the fatality occurred is only a few hundred acres in extent.

It waa purchased several years ago by Mr, Gould. for a duck hunting pre. serve, xaere are severs pvnus on toe island, near one of which is located the only building, a clubhouse. Each Winter Mr. Gould.

has come to shoot ducks, and the island has been the scene of many huntin parties. Mother Prostrated by the Kewa Tha news that Edwin Gould. son of Edwin Gould and grandson of the late Jay Gould, had shot himself accidentally while on a hunting trip near Jekyl Island, off the Georgia roast, and died a few minutes later, was telegraphed here yesterday by his father, who had been spending a vacation with his son on Jekyl island, which Is pwned by a group of wealthy New Yorkers and used sa an exclusive Winter renort. Mrs. Gould, at her home at Fifth Avenue, was so prostrated by the news tnat sne wis piacea under the cure of a phynlclan.

She-had in- tnttded to bo to Jcykl Island next week. Details of toe accident were procured by David II. Taylor, counsel for Mr. Gould. over the long distance telephone from the Jekyl Island Club yesterday Young Gould had Coatlaaed en Page ff Alleged American Again Arrested in U-Boat Plot PARIS, Feb.

25. -A wireless message from Madrid says that additional evidence obtained by the Spanish authorities in reference to the discovery of a pro-German plot has led to the re-arreat of a man giving the name of Wood, claiming to be an American, who had been sejt at liberty. A Paris dispatch on Feb. 22 said Wood had been, arrested at Cartagena, and had been protected by the German Consul. In connection with his arrest It was announced that the police had found a number of buoys, to which were attached boxes covered with waterproof cloth and containing dynamite, gun cotton and gasoline, as well as submarine parts.

KUT FORTS CUT OFF BY BRITISH ON TIGRIS River Crossed at Shumran Bend in Rear of the Position and 644 Turks Captured. SANNAIYAT LINE SMASHED Fourth Row of Defenses East Kut Stormed on a Front of 1,050 Yards. of LONDON. Feb. 23.

The town of Kut In Mesopotamia, here General Town-shend and f.OOO Brinish troops, mostly East Indians, were starved into surrender by a Turklnh Army in April last has In turn been cut orf by he British. Kut nestles in a sharp bend on the left bank of the Tiaras. The British, working up the river ft am its mouth In tho Persian Gulf hud advanced along the right bank unUl recently they were opposite the town. They have now crossed the river about tlx miles above and in rear of Kut at the Shumran bend. About eighteen miles to the east of.

or below the town, on" the left bank, they have by frontal atU dt smashed Into the fourth line of trimehes at Bannaiyat, a defensive position, three miles long. covered at one end by the river and a the other by a va-t linpaaaable swamp. The followina' communication concern ing the operations was issued by the ar Office this evening: Tha southern Dortion of the Sannal yat poaition captured in the first assault Tnursaay conaisieu or two lines 01 tnnrh.a nn a frontin of 4.it varda. and to a depth of ten yards, tie uras delivered six counterattacks. but.

al though one of- them, was temporarily sncceaaf ul. wv eeureu atxi osowmioum all our gains. on the afternoon of Thursday a fur ther assault was launched against the Turkish first and second lines to trie north and in Prolongation of those se cured in the morning, and our whole objective was gained. Heavy Turxtsn counterattacks temporarily retarded our nrnirreaa. hut wi finally consolidated our gains, and at the end of the day the first two lines of trenches on a front of yards were firmly in our These operations naving arawn me enemy a attention in tne aireciion or Sannalyat, (about eighteen miles east of Kut.l It appeared possible mat a rrosa Ing of the Tigris might be effected at ih.

Khumran Bend, (about six irillea west of Kut.) Therefore, lust before f.sybreak Friday the first covering par- ea were rernea across, iouowea at in tervals throughout the cay by other narties. These coverers firmly esthb hed themselves on the left bank, se curing the landing, ana taxing many tirlsoners. Immediately landings were narured and sufficient clearance wan ob the construction of a bridge waa commenced, and completed In nine hour, and by nightfall tne position on the left bank waa sec urea ana consoit-dated. Tne Turks offered stubborn resistance to our nroeress in the Shumran Peninsula, but, thanks to the efficient disDoaltlon and handling of our coher ing artillery ana inacmne iuu on uic right bank, this resistance failed to atnn our advance. Simultaneously with the crossing of the river the assault on the Sannalyat noaitlon was resumed.

The third and fourth Turkish lines of trenches were captured on a front of 1.050 yards. It 1 imoosalble yet to give a full ac count the operations, but the prison, ere taken on Friday In the Shumran area numoered ieven officers and ri men. Five machine guoa were also captujed. Two nemy airplanes were shot down recently JAPAN SENDS MEXICO MUNITION MACHINERY 200 Expert Operators Accompany Cartridge-Making Apparatus Landed at Manzanillo. MEXICO CITY.

Feb. 25. The carte ridge-making machinery purchased from Japan has been unloaded at Mansanillo from the steamer Kotchiro Maru and ill soon be put In operation. Two hundred Japanese experts accompanied the shipments to set up the machinery and operate It. it is hoped by the Gov ernment, that this machinery will make Mexico Independent of other countries for ammunition.

It la underatcMxi tne machinery waa purchased through efforts of Major Carp to of General Obregon's staff, who went to Japan some months ago. It will be neceasary to rebuild the docks at Mansanillo In order to land the ma chinery. It is believed that the Govern ment soon win purcnatse. machinery for the manufacture oi artillery ammu nition. JAPAN'S MESSAGE TO U.

S. Will Never Fight Us Unless Wo Im pugn Her Honor, Minister Says. BALTIMORE, Feb. Rev. C.

8. fRetf snider. President of St. Paul's Toklo, Japan, In an, address hre lolsy, delivered a message which he said the Japanese Vice Minister of State had bidden him give the Amer ican people. read the message, "will never go to war with the United States unless the I'rlted States impugns Japan's honor." Uy honor," Ir.

Itelfsnlder said, the Minister had meant such things as the alien laws in California and restrictions on Immigration. 1 did not consider Ihe nieaaage as a threat." said Dr. Relfsnlder. it impressed me as the expression of a desire to pla.rate the United States." IN AMERICA AN EXil.I.HH ItfN -The Maaer" afcevilla. Morlk CsJreUae.

Advt, nFRMAMS: BERLIN GERMAN VERSION OF AHACK Regret Tempered with Pride in U-Boat Efficiency. BRAZILIAN STEAMERS SAFE Only Three Ships Reported Sunk Yesterday in the War Zone. ORLEANS DUE AT BORDEAUX American Freighter's Arriva May Be Expected Today Rochester Later. 171 Ships of 419,650 Tons Sunk in War Zone Since Feb. 1 A record of the tonnage sunk since Feb.

1 in the German blockade sons, compiled from British' Admiralty figures and reports received from other sources, follows: REPORTED TESTERDAT. Ships. Dorothy, British Iser, British Falcon, British Tonnage. 3.806 2.160 2.243 Total Previously reported. ..411.441 Total since Feb.

1 .419.650 NUMBER OF SHIPS SVWK. Other oOi.r American. Neutrals. British. Belhtfervnta.

48 104- IT Hpeclal CaMa to TRB KIW Ton TtMan. BERLIN. Feb. 25. (via London.) Al though the dally Increasing lbU boat victims are hailed here with great Joy as making for, a' speedy end to the war, news of the torpedoing of seven Dutch steamers, received yesterday caused a great shock to most people.

No doubt they ahare the regret of the Government and naval circles that it could not be prevented. At the same time, the public regrets that the official Dutch note announcing the catastrophe does not mention the fact that the Dutch ships had only a partial assur ance or rree passage ir iney ten me English port Feb. 22, while absolute se curity was promised If they waited until March 17. German naval circles seem Inclined to put the blame on the llght-heartedness of Dutch shipowners, who were fully aware under what circumstances the wireless orders to spare the ships In question were sent out. No matter how often these orders are repeated, there must re main the possibility that some U-boats operating along the route In Question did not receive them.

Their wireless ap paratus may have been out of order, hlch, considering the arduous ma noeuvres of these vessels, is no uncom mon thing, or they may have been sub merged at the time the wireless order was sent, in which condition they would certainly remain English and Dutch reports speak only of one -boat having accomplished the sinkings. Therefore, argues the strictly disciplined German mind. It must have been this one particular U- boat that missed the wireless order. While one can hardly doubt the genu ineness of the German regret, it la essy to re duct the underlying feeling of pride in the fact that, although aU other U- boa'ts were warned off, the only one un aware of the wireless order should be on the spot and do her work so thoroughly. Deplorable, therefore, as the sinking of Dutch ships may be, there Is.

from the German point of view, no douh It will bring home to the world the watchfulness and efficiency of the boats engaged in these operations and the effectiveness of the Utter. Also, It is said to show that German orders, once Issued, can not be trifled with, and it is therefore the better part of wisdom for neutrals to follow strictly the rules laid down for their convenience. What really prevented the Dutch ships from sailing while the passage was still safe Is not quite clear, but It is generally surmised here that the English Govern ment purposely prevented them in order to compel them to face danger and eventually create difficulties between Germany and Holland. The comment's of Dutch papers tele graphed to Berlin Is not pleasant read- ng to the Germans. They suggest that for each of the ships destroyed a German ship be given them.

The German Government's attitude toward this propo sition can not be ascertained, and local papers make no comment on It. Official Report oa- tke fMwkiags. Kit LIN', Feb. 21. (via Wireless to Sayvllle.

Feb. 23.) An official state ment with reference to the sinking of the Dutch steamers by a German suu- Coatlaued oa Page 2. TOVB IX VESTMENTS If jnu would pmtart tlMm, ita jrourMlf UB tarta. BM Tba Km Vark In. Pott.

Sa. uilr. la al all the batter ARAMnnN DEFENDS SINKING DUTCH SHIPS Germany Pleads With China to Stay Friendly; Promises Safety of Chinese" Lives and Property PEKING, Feb. 25. Dr.

Yen Hut Chlngr. Chinese Minister to Germany, has sent a cablegram to Dr. Wu Ting-fang, the Foreign Minister, announcing: that the German Foreign Office had verbally Informed the Minister that Germany could not alter her submarine campaign, but that she would respect the lives of Chinese and their properly, and hoped that China would not break off diplomatic relations. The Minister added that Germany also promised to do her utmost to secure China's participation in tho peace conference If friendly relations between the two countries were maintained. A dispatch from Teklng on Feb.

9 announced that the Chinese Government had sent a note to Germany winning her that China would sever relations if the submarine measures of which she had received notice were not modified. Another note, it was Baid. had been sent to the United States Minister in Peking stating that China had entered an energetic protest against Germany's procedure, and was prepared to take such action as might In the future be deemed necessary for the maintenance of inter national Inw, It was said later that China was anxious to enter the war, in order to share in the peace negotiations and Japan had approved of her note to SAYS OUR1 WON'T STIR BERLIN Reichstag Deputy Derides Reported Plans to Transport Nonexistent Armies. URGES PROTEST TO BRITAIN Failure to Demand a Safe Route to Germany Will Disgrace Us in German Eyes. By Wirtlct to The New York Time: BERLIN.

Feb. 25. (via Tuckerton.) What is America going to do regarding England's latest extension of her rights to control neutral navigation? That is the question of the moment here. Tou do not bear it discussed DcbUclv. and the newapapers seem agreed pot even to mention It.

but ron 0arr rtad H- tsetweeft the-llnae-- tfce- subject. It Tot talk to-Deputy of the JOelchs- tag on the situation he will, -unless he belongs to the ultra-conservative clique, whose members, like Count von Reventlow, fear neither the devil nor i the Tankees, carefully avoid any ex pression that might savor of boast-fulness, or be considered an affront to the United States, because, as is evidenced dally, the Qermans want ho war with America, which. Indeed, seems to them the acme of madness. Your Reichstag member, however. will leave ho doubt your mind that Congress may talk of Introducing con scription in America, as Rcuter re ports, or of mysterious sessions of of the: Naval and Military boards, or of the arming of all merchant ships with guns that have suddenly been dis covered ready-made somewhere in, the West and are now en route East, yet 11 these menacing measures will not alter the German determination to let the U-boats have their way.

it was in the restaurant of the Reichstag building that I was assured of this for the ninety-ninth time. It was some time before the very reserved member for one of the Jiansa, towns at last unbent and asked the question ne had been aching to put: What do you think will be America's altitude. Ac." 1 shook ray head he explained what It ought to be. He considered it quite, natural that President Wilson and many of Is country men should incline toward England and the Entente. He would not even argue whether the President was rihl or wrong in breaking off diplomatic relations with Germany; "but," he id.

unless the United Stales al ready considers itoelf allied with Eng land Jt must take notice; It must pro test against this latest English outrage. When Germany declared intensi fied U-boat war, she was careful to outline a safe route for the ships of America. Spain, and Holland to Eng land. If America, or rather. President Wilson, understands neutrality as very body else does, he must now de mand that England ahall outline a safo route for American ships to Ger-ruun ports.

This German politician was extreme ly anxious for the preservation of Amedca dignity, which he thought en dangered by Renter' reports picturing the Directors of all the great American allway companies in grave council with representatives of the Shipping Trust. debating the best means of transportation for millions of soldiers, and tremendous parka of artillery, while, there were neither men nor guns available. The mobilisation of Reu- ter calls it. You can't to fighting with locomotives," he said. especially when there's an between you and the fellow you want to lick." In German shipping circles the new order issued by the English Government prohibiting eltner tne purchase or sale Of ahHa.

mi conamurru anoiner attempt to tnalave neutral navigation, it la Implied that the present unpropltlous conditions have Induct! certain uiuirni shipping concerns to offer thslr ships for sale to English shipowners, the natural consequence being that they would then sail with English crew. Dutch and Scandinavian seamen struck. But it is stated that the EnglWh cannot spare seamen for additional ships now; will they take any more risks If they can be shifted to neutrals? No men of stsndlng or In responsible posts seem to take aiuch Mock in reports from Japan, via Stockholm, telling of mysterious war preparations and anti-American movements among the Japanese. the dangerous nature of which would become apparent once America had crossed the Rubicon." There are many people here who know the East very well, some having returned from there not very long ago. MENAGE FRONT f)V A NCRF thus guard hfr Interests, and that Germany.

TELL OF FOOD RIOTS IN GERMAN CITIES i Reports via Holland Describe Protests of Hungry Women in Hamburg and Dortmund. STRIKE IN U-BOAT YARDS Workmen at Stettin Mutinous 8,000 in Berlin Ask Higher Pay- Dutch Fear Invasion. Speolal Cable to Tae Naw York Tinas. AMSTERDAM Feb 25. (Disoatch to The London Dally Chronicle.

-The facts hav vnu of Ih. rrowlnr d.Hn- tion of the German people and the troubles of the German Government can now oe puppiementea. My informatit. who was In Germany i this week, says that hundreds of work- men in the big. shipyards and amrounl- on lactone aeneeaing.

ai tne great vtuxair laroii at Stettin, where the principal work for a long time past has been aub marine construction, there Is a serious lack of hands solely due to the failure rf the Food Dictator to provide them with enough food to enable them to drag themselves to he yards. This physical failure of the men strength has been added to by the strike of many hundred Of men In the same yards as a. protest against the lack food. Affairs are much worse in Hamburg, where there are greater numbers 1 poor people In the middle of last week Hamburg was the scene of an enormous demonstration. In which thousands of hungry women and Ill-clad children walked in silence through the streets in the direction of the house of the Burgomaster.

Their progress waa stopped by the police and soldiers. Affairs In Berlin are not less-threat- er.lng. Already 8.0U0 employes of out had a queer, uncanny expert- fanous General Electrlo Company have made united demands for higher wages and sufficient food. The plight of the women and children of the capital Is pitiable. In almost endless columns they form up at the back doors of all the more expensive restaurants to re elve whst Ir.

normal times would be thrown away as kitchen refuse. This offal is now distributed to them under tne supervision or tne ponce. At Dortmund last Monday many shops were sacked by hungry mobs. When the police tried to preserve order the mobs flew at the police, and until the' soldiers were called. In there was general rioting, in which many women and children were Injured.

The situation, indeed, is In the deepest sense of tho word deaperate. Every Item of Information reaching Holland on Germany's situation Increases anx iety here, for It Is being asked how long Germany can continue In her present state, knowlns that in Holland there la plenty, and even luxury. Mpreover, much of this smoldering and occasional bursting into flame of hunger and des peratioa is actually taking place at points which can almost be seen from Dutch territory. Indeed, there Is grow I. I Ll in reaiiy acrjMiia an uvuwi'iil 10 oreaa with Holland in order to take whatever chance there may be of getting food by some sudden descent.

The Dutch are most restrained and quietest when the danger' or serious ness of any situation is greatest, and one could plainly measure the gravity of the latest U-boat atrocity In its possible consequences, aa well as In Its in trinsic horrlbleness, by Ihe sudden marked sllotuV. even amounting to a seneev of solemnity, which came down over the people like a heavy cloud when the news was known. Every Hollander felt that Germany's latest crime against her unoffending and not uttorly unsym-nathetlc nelshbor was probably ores. Jljint wtn consequences whose limits could not be seen. I have never seen the Dutch people so deeply moved by patriotic emotions nor swayed by so dignified an attitude of resolution to face what the next days may bring forth Out of Germany's latest crime against an Inoffensive neutral neighbor there emerges a new significance in the fact that just inside the German frontier there sre new, elaborate, well-armed trenches.

What did Germany expect, and how did she argue In not only mak ing these trenches, but also in good care that all the world should kno they were there? Herein lies tbe fble great danger for Holland. poia TEUTONS RETREAT 3 MILES Biggest Retirement Since -ll" Mm wm ra gsr. uic manic ouiiuiiueo on a Wide Front. BRITISH OCCUPY 4 TOWNS Serre, the Two Pys Fall to Them Without a Struggle. MS OTA kin 1ICID DIDllllir him i gmiiu ntMn DnrMUiic a BS-a-awa.

tgsR rTTl 29 rl 2 IJABTmV --Tri TOO nt a aB ev ov IrawS oaf but Save the Guns. By rHILIP GIBBS. Special Cable te THS) NW ToaK Tinas. WITH THE BRITISH ARMIES IN London Dally Chronicle.) The Germans are steadily withdrawing troops from many positions between' lleouterne ana. the ground aouthweat of Bapaume.

and 1mm. ni.k ward Into the abandoned country, which mrry jrcueiruea, in some places iw i nearly three miles beyond the iney are already norm weal, or serre. souia oi xries, above uiraumom, rem Miraumont, and Pys, which are now la our hands without a battle. The British" gained a number of German strona- kM. hevr and tha' Germans I vielded to the British ereaaura.

the ceaseless Dreasure of men and niu. by Mcmplnr to a new ne of dcfwM i This la the moet" notab'e movement Whjch has taken place in the war since irAutumn of the first year, Tha Ceri-a In the battle of tho IMarne was forced Upon them only by actual defeat on tho ground. This a strategical retreat, revealing a new phase of weakness in their defensive conditions. It has not come to tho British Generals aa a surprise. After battle of Boom Ravine there were aeveral signs that the Germans con- ofjtempiated a withdrawal from the two I Mlraumotita.

ad the recent capture of Balllescourt Farm and the ground north of0f the Ancre seriously menaced Serre. Teaterday morning, through a heavy gray mist, several fires were burning I along the German front line. For several days the German field batteries have been firing an abnormal amount of ammunition, and It seemed likely they were getting rid of their supplies- in the forward' dumps before withdrawing their guns. The patrols ence. jt was very quiet in the wist almost alarmingly quiet.

They pushed m. after the Germans. Not a sound, not a shot. came. from Serre.

These re- ports were sent back, and more patrols ere sent forward In various direc tions. They pushed on. picking up a ttm prisoners here and there who were from shell holes and serving aolllary machine gnna. These men con. eased they had treea left behind with orders to keep firing and make a show so that the British might believe the ground waa still strongly held.

Further on the same thing was hap pening. Petrels went out and seat back messages saying no Germans were ahead. They went Into Miraumont, and In the centre of the main road a mine blew up with a great explosion, but by great good luck none of the British waa hurt. At the end of the street six Ger mans wen. seen among the ruins.

They wer at and disappeared. Mirau mont was taken -without "another shot than thL', and with It Petit Miraumont next door. Last night the British troops advanced toward Warlencourt and south of Irles. acd they took possession of the famous buUe. that high mound above k.

v. Af mnwnM nrehlatorio nun foe which there was so much bloody light- Ing In the Autumn and the first month of this year, From the direction of Bapaume the noise heavy explosions Is heard as though ammunition dumps are being blown up and for the first per haps since the German retreat from the Marne the Germans are destroying-their own material of war on the way back. How far they are going back Is not Tatrols are still pushing out. but beyond a doubt tbey are withdrawing to the high ground of Bapaume Ridge.) wnere they hope to stand with greater safety than where they have suffered Intolerably from the British gunfire and air raids. May rerea tier eases frees Ita pa a as.

HRITIH1I HEADQUARTERS IN FRANCE. Feb. 23, (via London. Hon-' day. Feb.

2. The exact extent of the German retirement from the Ancre front is trot known tonight, but it is estimated approaches a depth of three miles at some-points. British patrols are out In all directions, harassing the Germans and keeping in touch with their movements. Until they report It will nt be possible, to say just where the Germans have determined to fix their next line of resistance. Nevertheless, it can be said that the British are now or soon will be in a posi tion nosaihle to force the evacuation-of which has been to key the German position since the beginning i.