New York Times 100 years ago today, April 30, 1913:
What is the source of your ill-will toward Germany? You never lose an opportunity to misrepresent our fatherland. You must know that this latest attack on the German Army and Navy and the great industries that serve them is of a reckless Socialist slanderer the foul work. Why do you spread it to your readers, and why as to it is your comment so unfair and offensive?
This is an extract from a letter from a German-born American citizen in whose loyalty to his adopted land we have entire confidence, as we have in the sincerity of his feeling that The Times is unfair to his native land. Our impartial readers, we think, will regard his complaint as unfounded. Certainly we are conscious of no "ill-will" toward Germany. On the contrary, we have a warm admiration, which we have expressed often, for many of the traits of the nation, and we have frankly recognized the forces that have shaped the policy of its Government and the splendid energy, devotion, skill, and patience with which its policy has been pursued.
As to the recent charges made in the Reichstag, we have published only the facts, mainly as reported and commented on by the German press. We have taken pains to point out that any Government following a policy involving great expenditure and corresponding profits for private interests is exposed to unscrupulous and persistent efforts to advance those interests by more or less corrupt methods and influences. We have cited the experience of the United States, which, Heaven knows, has been convincing and humiliating, quite beyond anything yet disclosed as to Germany. The history of our protective tariff generally and of our dealings with transcontinental railway building and with the Pacific Mail subsidy is not such as to warrant, or tempt, us to fling the least pebble of harsh comment at Germany from behind the fragile and transparent walls of our own glass house.
But, as in the painful school of experience, the American Nation has slowly learned its mortifying lesson and has gradually sought with more and more success to apply it to the shameful evils from which we have suffered, so we believe that the German Nation will, in due time, deal honorably with the evils to which it is exposed. It is our hope that in that process the Germans will become a less militant people than for the last fifty years they have been. As a military nation they have attained a level never before reached and demonstrated wonderful capacity. And they have, since 1871, kept the peace. They have proclaimed their policy to be one of defense, and in its obvious alms and results it has been so. They have made any aggression upon them far too perilous to be undertaken. Whether it would otherwise have been undertaken is a question they had a right to decide for themselves.
But assume that, now, with their great power demonstrated and recognized, it were practicable to secure a world-wide peace and to turn the tremendous energies absorbed in preparation for war to productive uses. Hardly any responsible statesman in Europe would deny that this could be done if Germany and Great Britain could come to terms, and more and more the possibility of this is being recognized. Each is exposed to grave danger from the other. Each is straining every nerve to perfect its defense against the other. Each declares, and we believe sincerely, that it has no intention or desire to attack the other. Suppose that each should take the other at its word and both should come together to arrange mutual adequate guarantees of the good faith of each.
Undoubtedly the task would be immensely difficult, for each Power has been seeking its safety by alliances and understandings that involve all Europe, and indirectly nearly the whole world. But were agreement possible between these two countries the associates of neither would be likely to break the peace against their joint veto. We believe that in this direction it is possible for Germany to enter on a career in which its peaceful triumphs would far outweigh all that it has done in preparing for war, or could do should war come. Not the least of the advantages it would gain would be relative freedom from the risk of such corruption as has recently been charged.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
No Threat To Guatemala.
New York Times 100 years ago today, April 30, 1913:
Britain Denies Ultimatum — Merely Made an Urgent Demand.
LONDON, April 29.— Great Britain denies the published report that she has sent an ultimatum to Guatemala. At the Foreign Office to-day it was said that all that had been done so far was to make a renewed presentation of Great Britain's urgent demand for the repayment of Guatemala's indebtedness, the bulk of which has been owing for twenty-five years, with the expression of the expectation of an early reply of a favorable character.
No date was mentioned for the presentation of Guatemala's reply, nor were threats of reprisals made by Great Britain. The Foreign Office points out that the time for such action has not yet arrived, as Great Britain is still awaiting the answer of Guatemala.
WASHINGTON, April 29.— A loan to Guatemala of $20,000,000 to $30,000,000 by American banking houses has been under discussion for some time, but never consummated. With its proceeds it was purposed to pay Guatemala's British debts and to reform the country's currency system. The delay has been irritating to both the United States and to Great Britain.
Britain Denies Ultimatum — Merely Made an Urgent Demand.
LONDON, April 29.— Great Britain denies the published report that she has sent an ultimatum to Guatemala. At the Foreign Office to-day it was said that all that had been done so far was to make a renewed presentation of Great Britain's urgent demand for the repayment of Guatemala's indebtedness, the bulk of which has been owing for twenty-five years, with the expression of the expectation of an early reply of a favorable character.
No date was mentioned for the presentation of Guatemala's reply, nor were threats of reprisals made by Great Britain. The Foreign Office points out that the time for such action has not yet arrived, as Great Britain is still awaiting the answer of Guatemala.
WASHINGTON, April 29.— A loan to Guatemala of $20,000,000 to $30,000,000 by American banking houses has been under discussion for some time, but never consummated. With its proceeds it was purposed to pay Guatemala's British debts and to reform the country's currency system. The delay has been irritating to both the United States and to Great Britain.
World Has 2,490 Airmen.
New York Times 100 years ago today, April 30, 1913:
France Leads with 968, and Britain Is Next — We Have 193.
PARIS, April 29.— There are to-day 2,490 certificated airmen in the world authorized to pilot aeroplanes, according to the annual Bulletin of the International Aeronautical Association, published here.
Of these the United States possesses 193, France 968, Great Britain 376, Germany 335, Italy 189, Russia 162, Austria 84, Belgium 68, Switzerland 27, Holland 26, Argentina 15, Spain 16, Sweden 10, Denmark 8, Hungary 7, Norway 5, and Egypt 1.
France Leads with 968, and Britain Is Next — We Have 193.
PARIS, April 29.— There are to-day 2,490 certificated airmen in the world authorized to pilot aeroplanes, according to the annual Bulletin of the International Aeronautical Association, published here.
Of these the United States possesses 193, France 968, Great Britain 376, Germany 335, Italy 189, Russia 162, Austria 84, Belgium 68, Switzerland 27, Holland 26, Argentina 15, Spain 16, Sweden 10, Denmark 8, Hungary 7, Norway 5, and Egypt 1.
Mexicans Seize American.
New York Times 100 years ago today, April 30, 1913:
Government Holds Him Incommunicado — Ambassador Protests.
MEXICO CITY, April 29.— An American, William B. Wofford, foreman of the Santa Rosa plantation, near Ojitlan, in Oaxaca, has been seized by what at first was thought to be a newly organised band of rebels from Southern Vera Cruz.
The American Ambassador was informed of the capture of Wofford and made representations to the Foreign Office requesting the Government to withdraw an order holding him incommunicado.
Government Holds Him Incommunicado — Ambassador Protests.
MEXICO CITY, April 29.— An American, William B. Wofford, foreman of the Santa Rosa plantation, near Ojitlan, in Oaxaca, has been seized by what at first was thought to be a newly organised band of rebels from Southern Vera Cruz.
The American Ambassador was informed of the capture of Wofford and made representations to the Foreign Office requesting the Government to withdraw an order holding him incommunicado.
Huerta's Downfall Near.
New York Times 100 years ago today, April 30, 1913:
New Battle Likely at Any Moment in the Mexican Capital.
NEW ORLEANS, April 20.— Life and property are not safe in Mexico City, and another battle there may be expected at any time, according to Mexicans and Americans, who fled from the capital and arrived here to-day on the steamer City of Tampico. Exchange is higher than it has been before in a quarter of a century and business is demoralized, the refugees report.
The City of Tampico carried more than its passenger capacity. In their eagerness to get out of the country, passengers paid fare with the knowledge that there was no sleeping accommodation for them.
MORGANTOWN, West Va., April 20. — Prof. I. W. White, State Geologist, returned to-day from a three-weeks stay in the Mexican oil fields, and expressed the opinion that the Huerta Government could not remain in power much longer. He gave as the result of his observation that the revolution has assumed greater proportions than any previous uprising, and expressed the belief that before order could be restored it would be necessary for the United States to intervene.
CHICAGO, April 20.— "The Huerta Government in Mexico probably will be overthrown in two weeks," said Robert J. Kerr, attorney, who recently came from that republic, in an address before the Rotary Club to-day. "The situation there is far more serious than Americans realize. It is vastly more important to this country than is the Balkan situation. Americans are forced to flee from Mexico because the American flag is not as much respected there as are the flags of other countries, and Americans, if they remain, do not know whether they will be able to get damages for their ruined property.
SAN DIEGO, Cal., April 29.— Gen. Pedro Ojeda and members of his staff, arrested by Major William C. Davis, commanding Fort Rosecrans, here last night, were released this afternoon under orders from Washington. They will leave for Ensenada, lower California, to-night.
Despite a close guard that was maintained by American soldiers, two members of Ojeda's staff escaped in the night. It is supposed that they reached Tia Juana, lower California, to-day.
The General was taken into custody when he arrived here on the way to Guaymas.
EL PASO. Tex., April 29.— Gen. Inez Salazar reorganized part of his command after a mutiny yesterday in Casas Grandes, says his official report, received to-day in Juarez, but he is left with fewer than 200 men.
New Battle Likely at Any Moment in the Mexican Capital.
NEW ORLEANS, April 20.— Life and property are not safe in Mexico City, and another battle there may be expected at any time, according to Mexicans and Americans, who fled from the capital and arrived here to-day on the steamer City of Tampico. Exchange is higher than it has been before in a quarter of a century and business is demoralized, the refugees report.
The City of Tampico carried more than its passenger capacity. In their eagerness to get out of the country, passengers paid fare with the knowledge that there was no sleeping accommodation for them.
MORGANTOWN, West Va., April 20. — Prof. I. W. White, State Geologist, returned to-day from a three-weeks stay in the Mexican oil fields, and expressed the opinion that the Huerta Government could not remain in power much longer. He gave as the result of his observation that the revolution has assumed greater proportions than any previous uprising, and expressed the belief that before order could be restored it would be necessary for the United States to intervene.
CHICAGO, April 20.— "The Huerta Government in Mexico probably will be overthrown in two weeks," said Robert J. Kerr, attorney, who recently came from that republic, in an address before the Rotary Club to-day. "The situation there is far more serious than Americans realize. It is vastly more important to this country than is the Balkan situation. Americans are forced to flee from Mexico because the American flag is not as much respected there as are the flags of other countries, and Americans, if they remain, do not know whether they will be able to get damages for their ruined property.
SAN DIEGO, Cal., April 29.— Gen. Pedro Ojeda and members of his staff, arrested by Major William C. Davis, commanding Fort Rosecrans, here last night, were released this afternoon under orders from Washington. They will leave for Ensenada, lower California, to-night.
Despite a close guard that was maintained by American soldiers, two members of Ojeda's staff escaped in the night. It is supposed that they reached Tia Juana, lower California, to-day.
The General was taken into custody when he arrived here on the way to Guaymas.
EL PASO. Tex., April 29.— Gen. Inez Salazar reorganized part of his command after a mutiny yesterday in Casas Grandes, says his official report, received to-day in Juarez, but he is left with fewer than 200 men.
Passes German Army Bill.
New York Times 100 years ago today, April 30, 1913:
Minister Tells Reichstag Committee Recruits Can Be Obtained.
BERLIN, April 29.— The bill increasing the peace footing of the German Army by approximately 168,000 men and bringing the total up to about 806,000, excluding officers, was voted today by the committee of the Imperial Parliament after Gen. von Heeringen, the War Minister, had succeeded in convincing the members that the necessary number of recruits was available.
The only negative votes were cast by the Socialist and Alsatian Deputies.
Minister Tells Reichstag Committee Recruits Can Be Obtained.
BERLIN, April 29.— The bill increasing the peace footing of the German Army by approximately 168,000 men and bringing the total up to about 806,000, excluding officers, was voted today by the committee of the Imperial Parliament after Gen. von Heeringen, the War Minister, had succeeded in convincing the members that the necessary number of recruits was available.
The only negative votes were cast by the Socialist and Alsatian Deputies.
Austria's Statement.
New York Times 100 years ago today, April 30, 1913:
VIENNA, April 20.— It is understood that the Austro-Hungarian Government is dissatisfied with the failure of the conference of Ambassadors in London to initiate decisive action against Montenegro, and is continuing its preparations for independent action.
Exchanges of views are proceeding between Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Italy.
The Boerse was very agitated to-day, prices being much depressed.
Telegrams passed throughout the day between the administration at Vienna, and Rome, as, under the existing treaty, neither Austria nor Italy may undertake any measure regarding Albania without an agreement before hand.
CETTINJE, April 29.— Crown Prince Danilo of Montenegro received an ovation upon his arrival here to-day to hand over to King Nicholas the keys of the fortress of Scutari. The formal ceremony was greeted with salvos of cheers from the excited crowd
The members of the royal family afterward marched in procession to the Cathedral, the Queen and each of her ladies giving her arm to a wounded soldier.
PARIS, Wednesday, April 30.— The Austrian Minister at Cettinje has been recalled, according to a dispatch from Vienna to the Echo de Paris.
The dispatch adds that Austria is preparing for military action both in Montenegro and Albania.
BELGRADE, April 29.— The newspaper Politica asserts that Essad Pasha has arrived at Tirano with 22,000 men.
VIENNA, April 20.— It is understood that the Austro-Hungarian Government is dissatisfied with the failure of the conference of Ambassadors in London to initiate decisive action against Montenegro, and is continuing its preparations for independent action.
Exchanges of views are proceeding between Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Italy.
The Boerse was very agitated to-day, prices being much depressed.
Telegrams passed throughout the day between the administration at Vienna, and Rome, as, under the existing treaty, neither Austria nor Italy may undertake any measure regarding Albania without an agreement before hand.
CETTINJE, April 29.— Crown Prince Danilo of Montenegro received an ovation upon his arrival here to-day to hand over to King Nicholas the keys of the fortress of Scutari. The formal ceremony was greeted with salvos of cheers from the excited crowd
The members of the royal family afterward marched in procession to the Cathedral, the Queen and each of her ladies giving her arm to a wounded soldier.
PARIS, Wednesday, April 30.— The Austrian Minister at Cettinje has been recalled, according to a dispatch from Vienna to the Echo de Paris.
The dispatch adds that Austria is preparing for military action both in Montenegro and Albania.
BELGRADE, April 29.— The newspaper Politica asserts that Essad Pasha has arrived at Tirano with 22,000 men.
Nicholas Still Defiant?
New York Times 100 years ago today, April 30, 1913:
LONDON, Wednesday, April 30.— A Vienna dispatch to The Daily Telegraph says that the Austrian Minister at Cettinje visited King Nicholas on Monday night and demanded the immediate and unconditional evacuation of Scutari. The King replied that he would never surrender the town.
The Austrian Government, according to the same dispatch, is now engaged in drafting a manifesto to the powers, explaining its policy and aims with regard to Balkan affairs.
A Gratz dispatch to The Daily Mail says the Austrian military authorities have taken possession of the railways running to the south, but no movement of Austrian troops across the Montenegrin frontier has taken place as yet.
It is understood here that Austria is waiting the result of the Ambassadorial conference to-morrow and is employing the interval in an endeavor to induce Italy to join her in military action.
The meetings of the Ambassadors in London have shown almost conclusively that a majority of the powers are not prepared to adopt warlike measures against Montenegro. It is thus practically certain that within a few days, whether Italy consents or not, Austria will dispatch an ultimatum to Cettinje, demanding the immediate evacuation of Scutari.
Not another word as to Essad Pasha's doings in Albania has come through. Ismail Kemal Bey, head of the Provisional Albanian Government, has arrived in London to enlist British support. He and other Albanians do not regard Essad Pasha's coup very seriously, but the opinion seems to be growing among diplomats here that an administration under Essad Pasha in Albania might not be such an impossible solution of a difficult problem.
It is considered that Essad Pasha, as an influential Albanian with a strong following and the prestige of his gallant defense or Scutari, might be more acceptable to the Albanians than a foreign Prince, and that if he were allowed to retain his self-chosen post he might be inclined to make territorial concessions which would compensate Montenegro for the loss of Scutari and would satisfy European claims.
LONDON, Wednesday, April 30.— A Vienna dispatch to The Daily Telegraph says that the Austrian Minister at Cettinje visited King Nicholas on Monday night and demanded the immediate and unconditional evacuation of Scutari. The King replied that he would never surrender the town.
The Austrian Government, according to the same dispatch, is now engaged in drafting a manifesto to the powers, explaining its policy and aims with regard to Balkan affairs.
A Gratz dispatch to The Daily Mail says the Austrian military authorities have taken possession of the railways running to the south, but no movement of Austrian troops across the Montenegrin frontier has taken place as yet.
It is understood here that Austria is waiting the result of the Ambassadorial conference to-morrow and is employing the interval in an endeavor to induce Italy to join her in military action.
The meetings of the Ambassadors in London have shown almost conclusively that a majority of the powers are not prepared to adopt warlike measures against Montenegro. It is thus practically certain that within a few days, whether Italy consents or not, Austria will dispatch an ultimatum to Cettinje, demanding the immediate evacuation of Scutari.
Not another word as to Essad Pasha's doings in Albania has come through. Ismail Kemal Bey, head of the Provisional Albanian Government, has arrived in London to enlist British support. He and other Albanians do not regard Essad Pasha's coup very seriously, but the opinion seems to be growing among diplomats here that an administration under Essad Pasha in Albania might not be such an impossible solution of a difficult problem.
It is considered that Essad Pasha, as an influential Albanian with a strong following and the prestige of his gallant defense or Scutari, might be more acceptable to the Albanians than a foreign Prince, and that if he were allowed to retain his self-chosen post he might be inclined to make territorial concessions which would compensate Montenegro for the loss of Scutari and would satisfy European claims.
Austrian Threats Keep Europe Upset.
New York Times 100 years ago today, April 30, 1913:
No Move Yet Against Montenegro, but Fear Grows That It Is Near.
THE BOURSES AGITATED
General Fall in Prices Yesterday — Austria's Alpine Army Moved to the Southern Frontier.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
LONDON, Wednesday, April 30.— A sensation was created in the European capitals yesterday by the report that Austria-Hungary had officially announced her intention of taking immediate independent action against Montenegro.
Inquiries at the British Foreign Office showed that nothing was known there of any decision to eject Montenegro from Scutari by force, though at the last two meetings of the Ambassadors' Conference here Emperor Francis Joseph's representative intimated that his country could not wait indefinitely.
It is suggested that the bellicose statements issued by the Vienna press were designed to bring pressure on the powers of the Triple Entente and to induce them to accept the Austrian proposals at the Ambassadors' Conference in London to-morrow.
Heavy selling of stocks in London on Continental account followed the report of the decision of Austria to take the Scutari matter into her own hands. Shortly after 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon Paris unloaded Rio Tintos, and later Berlin sold Canadian Pacifies so heavily that the price fell 5 1/2 points.
There were heavy declines in Vienna, Paris, and Berlin. In London the storm subsided before the end of the session, and there was some recovery.
Austria Against Compromise.
An Interesting explanation of the position taken by Austria is given by The Daily News. It says that the Ambassadors' Conference in London at last week's meeting discussed a reasonable and moderate offer by Montenegro to accept territorial compensation for leaving Scutari. In spite of this offer, Austria still pressed for immediate military action, and she so far succeeded that she obtained the consent of the powers to the aggressive and peremptory writ of eviction that was presented to Montenegro on Monday.
Then came the question of following up that writ of eviction with action. This was discussed by the powers' Ambassadors for three and a half hours on Monday afternoon. Finally the Ambassadors came to the decision to enter into negotiations with Montenegro on the basis of territorial compensation.
The Austrian Ambassador thereupon announced that he could not consent to that decision without obtaining fresh authority from his Government.
Thus Austria stood definitely aloof from the decision of the Ambassadors' Conference on Monday. The upshot was that all through yesterday in Vienna there were consultations between the military and political chiefs, and in various forms the Austrian Government let the world know that it contemplated separate independent action.
"All that seemed to remain," says The Daily News, "was that this action should take place, but this, fortunately, has been postponed, at least until after Thursday.
"In the meanwhile a great struggle was going on all through yesterday for the support of Italy. That country is torn between two rival affections, one official and the other human. The Montenegrins were approaching Italy on the one side and the Austrians approaching her on the other, and it still remains to be seen which influence won the day.
"Russia stands restlessly aloof, giving little encouragement to Montenegro, but steadily refusing to join in any coercion. France, Germany, and Great Britain are all steadily working for peace on lines of compromise."
Austrian Precipitancy Denied.
That the European Bourses should have taken so alarmist a view of the semi-official communique in the Vienna press was merely an indication of nervous tension. As The Times points out, the communique makes the political outlook a shade darker than before, but in no way indicates a fresh development in Austrian policy.
Count Berchtold, the Austro-Hungarian Foreign Minister, assured several visitors yesterday that no step would be taken in regard to Montenegro before Thursday, and that probably the result of the next meeting of the Ambassadors' conference in London would be awaited before a final decision was taken.
In Berlin the Imperial Secretary for Foreign Affairs assured the Budget Committee of the Reichstag that feeling both in Austria and Germany was thoroughly pacific, and the best authorities in the German capital were agreed that Austria was not likely to precipitate an issue unless she had reason to believe that other powers were seeking to leave her in the lurch. There is no present indication of any such intention.
Paris dispatches state that the Russian Ambassadors have made identical declarations at all the capitals to the effect that, as Russia affixed her signature to the note summoning King Nicholas to abandon Scutari, she would continue to insist that Montenegro should not retain possession of the town.
A St. Petersburg dispatch to The Times reiterates the statement that Russia is not going to part company with the powers, and that she is convinced that Montenegro will bow to the will of Europe as soon as she is satisfied that the powers are determined to enforce their will. St. Petersburg, however, believes that arguments such as a more stringent blockade can be found to wear down Montenegrin resistance without recourse to the extreme measure of war.
King Nicholas unfortunately shows no sign of giving way, for he has lightly informed the powers that he will not give a final answer to their demand for the evacuation of Scutari till after the Greek Easter holidays. It remains to be seen how long Austria's patience will last.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
VIENNA, April 29.— Austrian action against Montenegro will, it is expected, begin early next week unless King Nicholas yields to pressure.
Italian co-operation with Austria is expected.
It is reported that the commanding officer of the Dalmatian frontier town of Cattaro has warned the inhabitants to leave the town within forty-eight hours owing to the danger of an attack from the Montenegrin mountain fort of Lovcen, winch dominates Cattaro.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
GENEVA, April 29.— In the last two days all the Austrian Alpine regiments stationed on the Swiss and Italian frontiers, numbering several thousand men, have left there for the frontiers of Montenegro and the Sanjak of Novi-Bazar.
Fresh troops are arriving in the Tyrol to replace the Alpine army in the frontier forts.
No Move Yet Against Montenegro, but Fear Grows That It Is Near.
THE BOURSES AGITATED
General Fall in Prices Yesterday — Austria's Alpine Army Moved to the Southern Frontier.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
LONDON, Wednesday, April 30.— A sensation was created in the European capitals yesterday by the report that Austria-Hungary had officially announced her intention of taking immediate independent action against Montenegro.
Inquiries at the British Foreign Office showed that nothing was known there of any decision to eject Montenegro from Scutari by force, though at the last two meetings of the Ambassadors' Conference here Emperor Francis Joseph's representative intimated that his country could not wait indefinitely.
It is suggested that the bellicose statements issued by the Vienna press were designed to bring pressure on the powers of the Triple Entente and to induce them to accept the Austrian proposals at the Ambassadors' Conference in London to-morrow.
Heavy selling of stocks in London on Continental account followed the report of the decision of Austria to take the Scutari matter into her own hands. Shortly after 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon Paris unloaded Rio Tintos, and later Berlin sold Canadian Pacifies so heavily that the price fell 5 1/2 points.
There were heavy declines in Vienna, Paris, and Berlin. In London the storm subsided before the end of the session, and there was some recovery.
Austria Against Compromise.
An Interesting explanation of the position taken by Austria is given by The Daily News. It says that the Ambassadors' Conference in London at last week's meeting discussed a reasonable and moderate offer by Montenegro to accept territorial compensation for leaving Scutari. In spite of this offer, Austria still pressed for immediate military action, and she so far succeeded that she obtained the consent of the powers to the aggressive and peremptory writ of eviction that was presented to Montenegro on Monday.
Then came the question of following up that writ of eviction with action. This was discussed by the powers' Ambassadors for three and a half hours on Monday afternoon. Finally the Ambassadors came to the decision to enter into negotiations with Montenegro on the basis of territorial compensation.
The Austrian Ambassador thereupon announced that he could not consent to that decision without obtaining fresh authority from his Government.
Thus Austria stood definitely aloof from the decision of the Ambassadors' Conference on Monday. The upshot was that all through yesterday in Vienna there were consultations between the military and political chiefs, and in various forms the Austrian Government let the world know that it contemplated separate independent action.
"All that seemed to remain," says The Daily News, "was that this action should take place, but this, fortunately, has been postponed, at least until after Thursday.
"In the meanwhile a great struggle was going on all through yesterday for the support of Italy. That country is torn between two rival affections, one official and the other human. The Montenegrins were approaching Italy on the one side and the Austrians approaching her on the other, and it still remains to be seen which influence won the day.
"Russia stands restlessly aloof, giving little encouragement to Montenegro, but steadily refusing to join in any coercion. France, Germany, and Great Britain are all steadily working for peace on lines of compromise."
Austrian Precipitancy Denied.
That the European Bourses should have taken so alarmist a view of the semi-official communique in the Vienna press was merely an indication of nervous tension. As The Times points out, the communique makes the political outlook a shade darker than before, but in no way indicates a fresh development in Austrian policy.
Count Berchtold, the Austro-Hungarian Foreign Minister, assured several visitors yesterday that no step would be taken in regard to Montenegro before Thursday, and that probably the result of the next meeting of the Ambassadors' conference in London would be awaited before a final decision was taken.
In Berlin the Imperial Secretary for Foreign Affairs assured the Budget Committee of the Reichstag that feeling both in Austria and Germany was thoroughly pacific, and the best authorities in the German capital were agreed that Austria was not likely to precipitate an issue unless she had reason to believe that other powers were seeking to leave her in the lurch. There is no present indication of any such intention.
Paris dispatches state that the Russian Ambassadors have made identical declarations at all the capitals to the effect that, as Russia affixed her signature to the note summoning King Nicholas to abandon Scutari, she would continue to insist that Montenegro should not retain possession of the town.
A St. Petersburg dispatch to The Times reiterates the statement that Russia is not going to part company with the powers, and that she is convinced that Montenegro will bow to the will of Europe as soon as she is satisfied that the powers are determined to enforce their will. St. Petersburg, however, believes that arguments such as a more stringent blockade can be found to wear down Montenegrin resistance without recourse to the extreme measure of war.
King Nicholas unfortunately shows no sign of giving way, for he has lightly informed the powers that he will not give a final answer to their demand for the evacuation of Scutari till after the Greek Easter holidays. It remains to be seen how long Austria's patience will last.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
VIENNA, April 29.— Austrian action against Montenegro will, it is expected, begin early next week unless King Nicholas yields to pressure.
Italian co-operation with Austria is expected.
It is reported that the commanding officer of the Dalmatian frontier town of Cattaro has warned the inhabitants to leave the town within forty-eight hours owing to the danger of an attack from the Montenegrin mountain fort of Lovcen, winch dominates Cattaro.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
GENEVA, April 29.— In the last two days all the Austrian Alpine regiments stationed on the Swiss and Italian frontiers, numbering several thousand men, have left there for the frontiers of Montenegro and the Sanjak of Novi-Bazar.
Fresh troops are arriving in the Tyrol to replace the Alpine army in the frontier forts.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Trans Atlantic Flight.
New York Times 100 years ago today, April 29, 1913:
Declared Impracticable with Present Type of Aeroplane.
To the Editor of The New York Times:
The present "fatal month" in aviation only emphasizes the fact that optimistic prizes for transatlantic flights by hydroaeroplanes are purely romantic. Spectacular flying has such a hold on popular fancy that we attribute to the aeroplane magic powers far beyond our present understanding of that machine. But technicians who really know the mathematics of the aeroplane realize that great size and absolute safety, inseparable from such a feat, demand reinventing the aeroplane. Its real magic — that it can go anywhere it pleases, unfettered by fences and "good roads" — loses its entire significance over the vast, free expanse of the ocean. Count de Lambert and some experts see this. At sea, the aeroplane's only advantage is greater speed, which unfortunately is linked with short range of action in any small, fast craft, because it must carry exceedingly high power; and its operators undergo a strain far greater than on any land or water vehicle. Even birds, whose instinctive use of the winds alone enables them still far to outstrip the aeroplane's speed and endurance, could not fly across the Atlantic without getting food from the sea and rest on the water.
The notion that a hydroaeroplane can refuel from passing vessels is shortsighted. The few experts on sea navigation who comprehend the difficulties of fixing longitude and latitude in air-currents having a translocation or drift twice as rapid as sea currents understand why an aeroplane's nautical position cannot be reckoned with sufficient exactness to insure meeting vessels. For instance, a disabled hydroaeroplane, even though it could wirelessly give its exact astronomical position before it drops on the ocean, will be miles away from that reckoning when it reaches the surface of the sea. Apart from this consideration, it cannot interrupt its voyage in midocean unless the sea is as calm as a harbor. Actual experience settles that point. The German Navy's big load-carrying hydroaeroplanes have already demonstrated that in the least seaway they sink deeper and lose the poise to rise again. Ordinary rough waves wreck them. Their unwieldy "spars and sails" on a tiny boat hull are not feasible even in the North Sea. Consequently, these heavy machines will only be used near the coasts. Once down, in midocean, a hydroaeroplane is a tiny speck in immensity, with less chance of being picked up than a drifting lifeboat, since it will be wrecked if it attempts to make headway among the waves. Any ordinary ocean breeze will push it over on one side and inevitably sink it. Prof. Alexander Graham Bell is right when he demands that the trip must be made in one spurt. But the chance that any aeroplane motor in sight will work at full speed for forty, not to mention sixty, hours is not greater than the chance of a calm sea all the way across. No motor within our ken will stand up under such a spurt. A mammoth machine, with fuel for the whole distance, several pilots taking their turn at the wheel, and others constantly reckoning her position, will have a fair chance — if the motors hold out.
With the present limit of resources, transatlantic prizes are about as logical as it would have been to induce Fulton's Clermont to attempt what only the Mauretania could have won. Let us hope that under the stimulus of Lord Northcliffe's recent prize those maker and pilots who have already "entered" their machines are more in earnest than the nature of the task permits many of us to believe. For then we will at least get, not an ocean-crossing, but a safe practical, everyday aeroplane that can accomplish more modest yet more, infinitely more, useful work.
T. R. MacMECHEN,
CARL DIENSTBACH.
New York, April 18, 1913.
Declared Impracticable with Present Type of Aeroplane.
To the Editor of The New York Times:
The present "fatal month" in aviation only emphasizes the fact that optimistic prizes for transatlantic flights by hydroaeroplanes are purely romantic. Spectacular flying has such a hold on popular fancy that we attribute to the aeroplane magic powers far beyond our present understanding of that machine. But technicians who really know the mathematics of the aeroplane realize that great size and absolute safety, inseparable from such a feat, demand reinventing the aeroplane. Its real magic — that it can go anywhere it pleases, unfettered by fences and "good roads" — loses its entire significance over the vast, free expanse of the ocean. Count de Lambert and some experts see this. At sea, the aeroplane's only advantage is greater speed, which unfortunately is linked with short range of action in any small, fast craft, because it must carry exceedingly high power; and its operators undergo a strain far greater than on any land or water vehicle. Even birds, whose instinctive use of the winds alone enables them still far to outstrip the aeroplane's speed and endurance, could not fly across the Atlantic without getting food from the sea and rest on the water.
The notion that a hydroaeroplane can refuel from passing vessels is shortsighted. The few experts on sea navigation who comprehend the difficulties of fixing longitude and latitude in air-currents having a translocation or drift twice as rapid as sea currents understand why an aeroplane's nautical position cannot be reckoned with sufficient exactness to insure meeting vessels. For instance, a disabled hydroaeroplane, even though it could wirelessly give its exact astronomical position before it drops on the ocean, will be miles away from that reckoning when it reaches the surface of the sea. Apart from this consideration, it cannot interrupt its voyage in midocean unless the sea is as calm as a harbor. Actual experience settles that point. The German Navy's big load-carrying hydroaeroplanes have already demonstrated that in the least seaway they sink deeper and lose the poise to rise again. Ordinary rough waves wreck them. Their unwieldy "spars and sails" on a tiny boat hull are not feasible even in the North Sea. Consequently, these heavy machines will only be used near the coasts. Once down, in midocean, a hydroaeroplane is a tiny speck in immensity, with less chance of being picked up than a drifting lifeboat, since it will be wrecked if it attempts to make headway among the waves. Any ordinary ocean breeze will push it over on one side and inevitably sink it. Prof. Alexander Graham Bell is right when he demands that the trip must be made in one spurt. But the chance that any aeroplane motor in sight will work at full speed for forty, not to mention sixty, hours is not greater than the chance of a calm sea all the way across. No motor within our ken will stand up under such a spurt. A mammoth machine, with fuel for the whole distance, several pilots taking their turn at the wheel, and others constantly reckoning her position, will have a fair chance — if the motors hold out.
With the present limit of resources, transatlantic prizes are about as logical as it would have been to induce Fulton's Clermont to attempt what only the Mauretania could have won. Let us hope that under the stimulus of Lord Northcliffe's recent prize those maker and pilots who have already "entered" their machines are more in earnest than the nature of the task permits many of us to believe. For then we will at least get, not an ocean-crossing, but a safe practical, everyday aeroplane that can accomplish more modest yet more, infinitely more, useful work.
T. R. MacMECHEN,
CARL DIENSTBACH.
New York, April 18, 1913.
Plot Against The Kaiser.
New York Times 100 years ago today, April 29, 1913:
Mysterious Warnings from Abroad Received by Berlin Police.
BERLIN, April 28.— A warning that an attempt was to be made on the life of Emperor William in the course of his visit to Karlsruhe, Baden, was received yesterday by the police authorities in Berlin anonymously from abroad.
They immediately informed the police of Karlsruhe and Frankfort, and most stringent precautions were taken to prevent any outrage.
FRANKFORT-ON-MAIN, April 28.— The police of Karlsruhe were instructed from Berlin to keep special watch during Emperor William's visit there yesterday, as a number of suspected persons were reported to have departed for the capital of Baden.
According to the Karlsruhe correspondent of the Frankfort Gazette, the Emperor changed his plans at the last moment, and instead of proceeding on the special train which had been prepared for him, drove in an automobile from Strassburg.
No incident occurred.
Mysterious Warnings from Abroad Received by Berlin Police.
BERLIN, April 28.— A warning that an attempt was to be made on the life of Emperor William in the course of his visit to Karlsruhe, Baden, was received yesterday by the police authorities in Berlin anonymously from abroad.
They immediately informed the police of Karlsruhe and Frankfort, and most stringent precautions were taken to prevent any outrage.
FRANKFORT-ON-MAIN, April 28.— The police of Karlsruhe were instructed from Berlin to keep special watch during Emperor William's visit there yesterday, as a number of suspected persons were reported to have departed for the capital of Baden.
According to the Karlsruhe correspondent of the Frankfort Gazette, the Emperor changed his plans at the last moment, and instead of proceeding on the special train which had been prepared for him, drove in an automobile from Strassburg.
No incident occurred.
Mishap On The Imperator.
New York Times 100 years ago today, April 29, 1913:
Trial Trips Postponed Owing to the Heating of a Bearing.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
BERLIN, April 28.— The new Hamburg-American liner Imperator returned yesterday to Cuxhaven.
A statement issued by the Hamburg-American Company explains that the trial was satisfactory as far as the speed and handling of the ship were concerned, but two of the bearings of one of the turbines became overheated, and these will have to be removed, so the trials cannot be resumed before May 15, and the official trials, when the Crown Prince will, it is expected, be on board, must be postponed till the the second half of May.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
LONDON, Tuesday, April 29.— The Times, says large insurances on the Imperator were effected by the owners in the London market at the end of last week for a period of one month. These insurances, which amounted to some £300,000, ($1,500,000,) were in addition to policies for about £400,000 effected in Hamburg some time ago.
Had the trial been satisfactory the owners would have taken possession immediately afterward.
Trial Trips Postponed Owing to the Heating of a Bearing.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
BERLIN, April 28.— The new Hamburg-American liner Imperator returned yesterday to Cuxhaven.
A statement issued by the Hamburg-American Company explains that the trial was satisfactory as far as the speed and handling of the ship were concerned, but two of the bearings of one of the turbines became overheated, and these will have to be removed, so the trials cannot be resumed before May 15, and the official trials, when the Crown Prince will, it is expected, be on board, must be postponed till the the second half of May.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
LONDON, Tuesday, April 29.— The Times, says large insurances on the Imperator were effected by the owners in the London market at the end of last week for a period of one month. These insurances, which amounted to some £300,000, ($1,500,000,) were in addition to policies for about £400,000 effected in Hamburg some time ago.
Had the trial been satisfactory the owners would have taken possession immediately afterward.
Fuentes In Havana.
New York Times 100 years ago today, April 29, 1913:
Mexican ex-Governor, Fleeing Assassination, Expected to Come Here.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
HAVANA, April 28.— Alberto Fuentes, ex-Governor of Aguas Calientes, Mexico, arrived here this morning under the assumed name of Juan Davalos, accompanied by his wife and six children. His wife sailed under the name of José Finaramos. Fuentes said he was compelled to flee from Mexico because he feared assassination. He was one of three Governors ordered to be executed by Enrique Cepeda, the Federal Governor of Belen prison, when Gabriel Hernandez was shot and then burned. Fuentes says Hernandez was really burned alive, he escaping the same fate solely through the intervention of the Warden of the prison.
Fuentes will probably sail for New York to-morrow.
The fugitive ex-Governor says he made himself so popular with the American troops on the Texan border that he was able to smuggle from the United States within eight days 145,000 cartridges, which saved Madero's cause against Porfirio Diaz, as they came at a time when the rebels' ammunition was all but exhausted.
Mexican ex-Governor, Fleeing Assassination, Expected to Come Here.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
HAVANA, April 28.— Alberto Fuentes, ex-Governor of Aguas Calientes, Mexico, arrived here this morning under the assumed name of Juan Davalos, accompanied by his wife and six children. His wife sailed under the name of José Finaramos. Fuentes said he was compelled to flee from Mexico because he feared assassination. He was one of three Governors ordered to be executed by Enrique Cepeda, the Federal Governor of Belen prison, when Gabriel Hernandez was shot and then burned. Fuentes says Hernandez was really burned alive, he escaping the same fate solely through the intervention of the Warden of the prison.
Fuentes will probably sail for New York to-morrow.
The fugitive ex-Governor says he made himself so popular with the American troops on the Texan border that he was able to smuggle from the United States within eight days 145,000 cartridges, which saved Madero's cause against Porfirio Diaz, as they came at a time when the rebels' ammunition was all but exhausted.
Flies Nearly 1,000 Miles.
New York Times 100 years ago today, April 29, 1913:
Guillaux Makes Only Two Stops Between Biarritz and Holland.
KOLLUM, Holland, April 28.— A distance of nearly 1,000 miles in an air line was flown in an aeroplane yesterday and to-day by the French aviator, Ernest Francois Guillaux. He made only two stops in the course of his flight.
He started from Biarritz, in the extreme southwest of France, yesterday morning at 4:42 A.M., and arrived here early to-day, having descended twice to replenish his fuel, at Bordeaux and at Villacoublay, outside Paris.
Guillaux Makes Only Two Stops Between Biarritz and Holland.
KOLLUM, Holland, April 28.— A distance of nearly 1,000 miles in an air line was flown in an aeroplane yesterday and to-day by the French aviator, Ernest Francois Guillaux. He made only two stops in the course of his flight.
He started from Biarritz, in the extreme southwest of France, yesterday morning at 4:42 A.M., and arrived here early to-day, having descended twice to replenish his fuel, at Bordeaux and at Villacoublay, outside Paris.
Mexican Refugees Held.
New York Times 100 years ago today, April 29, 1913:
Kept on Our Soil for Safety — Crisis Near in Mexico City.
Special to The New York Times.
WASHINGTON, April 28.— An embarrassing situation has arisen in regard to the disposal of the Mexican refugees held along the Mexican boundary by United States troops. There were originally 1,200 fed and held as prisoners. Two weeks ago the Secretary of War gave orders to release them gradually. Some were Federals and others Constitutionalists or revolutionists.
The orders were to let them cross the boundary where their respective forces were in control. This worked well until 1,000 prisoners were released, when the Mexican Federal authorities objected to any considerable number of refugees crossing to where their friends were in strength, as the refugees would immediately be used as reinforcements. The United States authorities at once decided that to release refugees under such circumstances would be in violation of the neutrality laws, and Secretary Garrison promptly issued orders that no refugees should be allowed to cross the boundary where an engagement was imminent to protect them from summary execution if they belonged to the defeated side. They will, therefore, be held indefinitely until conditions permit their release.
A serious situation in Mexico City, due to increasing friction between the Huerta and Diaz factions of the provisional Government, is reported in confidential advices. All Government forces in the Federal district have been divided into two armed camps. Huerta has added to the infantry at the National Palace, and Diaz has encamped much of the artillery on his estate. Hacienda del Cristo, about thirty miles away.
EL PASO, Texas, April 28.— Former rebel troops under Gen. Jose, Inez Salazar mutinied to-day at Casas Grandes, refusing to proceed in the campaign against the Constitutionalists of Chihuahua State. Salazar and his staff officers are reported to be held prisoners by their men.
If the mutineers should join the Constitutionalists, Juarez, Chihuahua City, and Parral will be the only points on the border State held by the Huerta Government. The adjoining frontier States of Coahuila and Sonora are already practically in control of the revolutionists.
SAN DIEGO, Cal., April 28.— The assertion is made that American capitalists have pledged $25,000,000 for the purchase of Lower California from the Mexican Government. W. J. McGimpsey, a property owner at Punta Danda, across the bay from Ensenada, Lower California, says the deal will be consummated soon and annexation by the United States agitated immediately.
Kept on Our Soil for Safety — Crisis Near in Mexico City.
Special to The New York Times.
WASHINGTON, April 28.— An embarrassing situation has arisen in regard to the disposal of the Mexican refugees held along the Mexican boundary by United States troops. There were originally 1,200 fed and held as prisoners. Two weeks ago the Secretary of War gave orders to release them gradually. Some were Federals and others Constitutionalists or revolutionists.
The orders were to let them cross the boundary where their respective forces were in control. This worked well until 1,000 prisoners were released, when the Mexican Federal authorities objected to any considerable number of refugees crossing to where their friends were in strength, as the refugees would immediately be used as reinforcements. The United States authorities at once decided that to release refugees under such circumstances would be in violation of the neutrality laws, and Secretary Garrison promptly issued orders that no refugees should be allowed to cross the boundary where an engagement was imminent to protect them from summary execution if they belonged to the defeated side. They will, therefore, be held indefinitely until conditions permit their release.
A serious situation in Mexico City, due to increasing friction between the Huerta and Diaz factions of the provisional Government, is reported in confidential advices. All Government forces in the Federal district have been divided into two armed camps. Huerta has added to the infantry at the National Palace, and Diaz has encamped much of the artillery on his estate. Hacienda del Cristo, about thirty miles away.
EL PASO, Texas, April 28.— Former rebel troops under Gen. Jose, Inez Salazar mutinied to-day at Casas Grandes, refusing to proceed in the campaign against the Constitutionalists of Chihuahua State. Salazar and his staff officers are reported to be held prisoners by their men.
If the mutineers should join the Constitutionalists, Juarez, Chihuahua City, and Parral will be the only points on the border State held by the Huerta Government. The adjoining frontier States of Coahuila and Sonora are already practically in control of the revolutionists.
SAN DIEGO, Cal., April 28.— The assertion is made that American capitalists have pledged $25,000,000 for the purchase of Lower California from the Mexican Government. W. J. McGimpsey, a property owner at Punta Danda, across the bay from Ensenada, Lower California, says the deal will be consummated soon and annexation by the United States agitated immediately.
Montenegro Prepares to Resist.
New York Times 100 years ago today, April 29, 1913:
LONDON, Tuesday, April 29.— A Vienna dispatch to the Chronicle says:
"News has reached here that Crown Prince Danilo is marching northward with the Montenegrin army in connection with the preparations which are being made to resist an Austrian attack on Cettinje. All the heights dominating the road from Cattaro to Cettinje are being hastily equipped with heavy artillery, and strong Montenegrin forces, supported by Servian troops are taking up positions in the mountains.
"Montenegro has been furnished by Servia with sufficient provisions for the Montenegrin Army to last three months."
A dispatch to The Daily Mail from Trieste says that 80,000 Austrian troops are assembled near the Montenegrin frontier.
The Mail's correspondent at Gratz, Austria, says it is stated that Austria is planning for Tuesday a military advance which will not be confined to Montenegro. Troops will be sent in transports to Southern Albania. Meanwhile troop trains, crowded with riflemen from the Austrian Alps, are proceeding to the South.
The Mail's Belgrade correspondent says that the alliance among members of the Balkan League clearly provides for concentrated military action in the event of an attack by Austria, even if such an attack has the sanction of the great powers.
A Vienna dispatch to The Mail says: "Telegrams from Cattaro report that Montenegrins are making insulting demonstrations in front of the Austrian Legation. They decorated an imitation donkey with a dress coat, the breast of which was covered with fac similies of the Austrian orders, and hung it outside the legation."
Demand on Montenegro Filed.
"There is no cause for pessimism, even now." This was the only official utterance that could be obtained regarding the result of the momentous conference of the Ambassadors of the powers on the Balkan situation yesterday.
The conference lasted more than three hours, and the feet that another was arranged for Thursday indicates that the diplomats still expect to find a peaceful solution of the problem created by Montenegro's defiance of the powers. The representative of the Montenegrin Government in London has received instructions from Cettinje ordering him to protest formally against the demand of the powers of the immediate evacuation of Scutari by the Montenegrins, which is described by the Government of King Nicholas as "unjust and cruel." The demand of the powers is couched in the following terms:
We have the honor to declare collectively to the Royal Government of Montenegro that the taking of the fortress of Scutari does not in any way modify the decision of the European powers relative to the delimitation of the frontiers of Northern and Northeastern Albania, and, consequently, the City of Scutari must be evacuated with the briefest possible delay and must be handed over to the European powers represented by the commandants of the international naval forces lying before the Montenegrin coast. The Royal Government of Montenegro is invited to give a prompt reply to this communication. The Montenegrin representative in London, to whom this demand was cabled back from Cettinje, said yesterday:
"I have been ordered by my Government to protest formally against this unjust and cruel demand, and once more to ask the powers to examine in an equitable manner the vital question of Montenegro's future and to place that nation on an equal footing with the other Balkan allies."
LONDON, Tuesday, April 29.— A Vienna dispatch to the Chronicle says:
"News has reached here that Crown Prince Danilo is marching northward with the Montenegrin army in connection with the preparations which are being made to resist an Austrian attack on Cettinje. All the heights dominating the road from Cattaro to Cettinje are being hastily equipped with heavy artillery, and strong Montenegrin forces, supported by Servian troops are taking up positions in the mountains.
"Montenegro has been furnished by Servia with sufficient provisions for the Montenegrin Army to last three months."
A dispatch to The Daily Mail from Trieste says that 80,000 Austrian troops are assembled near the Montenegrin frontier.
The Mail's correspondent at Gratz, Austria, says it is stated that Austria is planning for Tuesday a military advance which will not be confined to Montenegro. Troops will be sent in transports to Southern Albania. Meanwhile troop trains, crowded with riflemen from the Austrian Alps, are proceeding to the South.
The Mail's Belgrade correspondent says that the alliance among members of the Balkan League clearly provides for concentrated military action in the event of an attack by Austria, even if such an attack has the sanction of the great powers.
A Vienna dispatch to The Mail says: "Telegrams from Cattaro report that Montenegrins are making insulting demonstrations in front of the Austrian Legation. They decorated an imitation donkey with a dress coat, the breast of which was covered with fac similies of the Austrian orders, and hung it outside the legation."
Demand on Montenegro Filed.
"There is no cause for pessimism, even now." This was the only official utterance that could be obtained regarding the result of the momentous conference of the Ambassadors of the powers on the Balkan situation yesterday.
The conference lasted more than three hours, and the feet that another was arranged for Thursday indicates that the diplomats still expect to find a peaceful solution of the problem created by Montenegro's defiance of the powers. The representative of the Montenegrin Government in London has received instructions from Cettinje ordering him to protest formally against the demand of the powers of the immediate evacuation of Scutari by the Montenegrins, which is described by the Government of King Nicholas as "unjust and cruel." The demand of the powers is couched in the following terms:
We have the honor to declare collectively to the Royal Government of Montenegro that the taking of the fortress of Scutari does not in any way modify the decision of the European powers relative to the delimitation of the frontiers of Northern and Northeastern Albania, and, consequently, the City of Scutari must be evacuated with the briefest possible delay and must be handed over to the European powers represented by the commandants of the international naval forces lying before the Montenegrin coast. The Royal Government of Montenegro is invited to give a prompt reply to this communication. The Montenegrin representative in London, to whom this demand was cabled back from Cettinje, said yesterday:
"I have been ordered by my Government to protest formally against this unjust and cruel demand, and once more to ask the powers to examine in an equitable manner the vital question of Montenegro's future and to place that nation on an equal footing with the other Balkan allies."
Bulgars Fight Their Allies.
New York Times 100 years ago today, April 29, 1913:
Greek and Servian Troops Have Already Been in Conflicts with Them.
THREE PITCHED BATTLES
Bulgarians Driven Back by Servians Near Monastir, Repulsed by Greeks Near Salonika.
DANILO LEAVES SCUTARI
Montenegrin Crown Prince Marches North to Defend Cettinje Against Austrians.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
LONDON, Tuesday, April 29.— The Daily Telegraph's Bucharest correspondent says that at least three important battles have been fought by the Balkan allies within the last week without anybody in the outside world being aware of the fact, with the exception of the General Staffs, monarchs, and War Ministers of the nations concerned.
The position could hardly be more serious. It is firmly believed that the moment a peace treaty is signed between the allies and Turkey a fresh war will begin, with Servia and Greece conducting simultaneous campaigns against Bulgaria.
On April 10 a Bulgarian division attacked the Servian infantry brigade garrisoning two villages twenty miles northeast of Monastir. After several hours' fighting the Servians retired from one village, but during the night they were reinforced and took the offensive for two days. They pushed the Bulgarians back and pursued them twenty-five miles. The losses on both sides were heavy.
All last week, also, in the vicinity of Nigrita, Seres, and Salonika fighting was in progress between the Bulgarians and a Greek division. The former were repulsed, several hundred, casualties resulting.
The Bulgarians are known to have, concentrated from 140,000 to 150,000 men in the district around Seres (forty-five miles northeast of Salonika) and Kavalla. The Greeks have concentrated almost as many troops between Salonika and Seres. The Servians are assembling an army of nearly 200,000 around Velestino, to the northeast and east of Monastir, to deal with the first Bulgarian Army, which is now marching toward Monastir.
The opinion of the few people who are well informed as to the situation is that war is absolutely inevitable. There will be no declaration of hostilities, but the armies will just begin to fight.
King Constantine will go to Salonika the moment the conflagration breaks out. All his kit is packed, and those members of his staff who have not preceded him keep in hourly touch with him. Every effort is being made to patch up a treaty between Greece and Turkey before the outbreak.
The suppression of the news of the fighting has been possible up to the present because of the rigid censorship and the absence of correspondents from the disturbed regions. Whenever any reference to them has appeared in the press an official denial has promptly followed.
The Ambassadors at their meeting to-day discussed the new situation arising from the fall of Scutari. As far as can be learned no definite decision was reached, and the position remains much the same as yesterday. The result of the Ambassadors' deliberations is now in the hands of their respective Governments, whose replies are expected on Thursday, when the Ambassadors will reassemble and probably make a decisive pronouncement.
Diplomatists are by no means pessimistic, and, although the position is undoubtedly serious, it is not so immediately critical as might be gathered from the tone of the Vienna papers. A crisis is not likely to arise unless Montenegro refuses the powers' summons to evacuate Scutari.
In the meantime Austria is pressing the other powers to decide what action to take in the event of Montenegro remaining obdurate. It is freely stated in Austro-Hungarian quarters that if no satisfactory decision is reached Austria is likely to take action alone or in co-operation with Italy.
Greek and Servian Troops Have Already Been in Conflicts with Them.
THREE PITCHED BATTLES
Bulgarians Driven Back by Servians Near Monastir, Repulsed by Greeks Near Salonika.
DANILO LEAVES SCUTARI
Montenegrin Crown Prince Marches North to Defend Cettinje Against Austrians.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
LONDON, Tuesday, April 29.— The Daily Telegraph's Bucharest correspondent says that at least three important battles have been fought by the Balkan allies within the last week without anybody in the outside world being aware of the fact, with the exception of the General Staffs, monarchs, and War Ministers of the nations concerned.
The position could hardly be more serious. It is firmly believed that the moment a peace treaty is signed between the allies and Turkey a fresh war will begin, with Servia and Greece conducting simultaneous campaigns against Bulgaria.
On April 10 a Bulgarian division attacked the Servian infantry brigade garrisoning two villages twenty miles northeast of Monastir. After several hours' fighting the Servians retired from one village, but during the night they were reinforced and took the offensive for two days. They pushed the Bulgarians back and pursued them twenty-five miles. The losses on both sides were heavy.
All last week, also, in the vicinity of Nigrita, Seres, and Salonika fighting was in progress between the Bulgarians and a Greek division. The former were repulsed, several hundred, casualties resulting.
The Bulgarians are known to have, concentrated from 140,000 to 150,000 men in the district around Seres (forty-five miles northeast of Salonika) and Kavalla. The Greeks have concentrated almost as many troops between Salonika and Seres. The Servians are assembling an army of nearly 200,000 around Velestino, to the northeast and east of Monastir, to deal with the first Bulgarian Army, which is now marching toward Monastir.
The opinion of the few people who are well informed as to the situation is that war is absolutely inevitable. There will be no declaration of hostilities, but the armies will just begin to fight.
King Constantine will go to Salonika the moment the conflagration breaks out. All his kit is packed, and those members of his staff who have not preceded him keep in hourly touch with him. Every effort is being made to patch up a treaty between Greece and Turkey before the outbreak.
The suppression of the news of the fighting has been possible up to the present because of the rigid censorship and the absence of correspondents from the disturbed regions. Whenever any reference to them has appeared in the press an official denial has promptly followed.
The Ambassadors at their meeting to-day discussed the new situation arising from the fall of Scutari. As far as can be learned no definite decision was reached, and the position remains much the same as yesterday. The result of the Ambassadors' deliberations is now in the hands of their respective Governments, whose replies are expected on Thursday, when the Ambassadors will reassemble and probably make a decisive pronouncement.
Diplomatists are by no means pessimistic, and, although the position is undoubtedly serious, it is not so immediately critical as might be gathered from the tone of the Vienna papers. A crisis is not likely to arise unless Montenegro refuses the powers' summons to evacuate Scutari.
In the meantime Austria is pressing the other powers to decide what action to take in the event of Montenegro remaining obdurate. It is freely stated in Austro-Hungarian quarters that if no satisfactory decision is reached Austria is likely to take action alone or in co-operation with Italy.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Commerce The Key.
New York Times 100 years ago today, April 28, 1913:
The curious but not incredible story of the surrender of Scutari published by the Paris Temps and reported in our transatlantic dispatches yesterday morning adds another touch of complexity to the Balkan situation. If Essad Pasha, the Turkish commander, himself an Albanian, was allowed to transfer his army, with all its arms and ammunition, to a strong strategic position at Tirana, well within the proposed frontier of Albania, it may make the erection of an autonomous State a much harder task than had been expected. If an understanding exists between him and King Nicholas of Montenegro, they can show a considerable "nuisance value," and, after the style of Rumania, seek substantial "compensation" for refraining from mischief. But while they may change, to their own gain, the terms of the settlement agreed on in principle by the Powers, it is not likely that they can prevent that settlement.
Of course, there is always the risk that a sudden and unexpected change like this may arouse Austria to pass the line between the bluffing she has so frequently indulged in and aggressive action. That, according to Sir Edward Grey, was avoided, not long since, only by the agreement of the Powers as to Albania. But it is reasonable to infer that the future can be handled as the past was and that peace will be maintained. The glimpse of possibilities which the statesmen of Europe had as they stood on the very brink of a general conflict will, it may be hoped, tend to keep them well away from that dizzy and slippery verge. Nor is it beyond the range of expectation that, face to face with the reality of war, they may find a mode of dealing with conflicting interests that will not only avoid war but make fairly lasting peace practicable. Since no one Power or group of Powers can, without a clash, secure its own exclusive aims, it may be possible to combine to secure and develop the interests of all and to seek the advantage of each by promoting common advantage.
It is a curious fact that three of the great Powers of Europe, the greatest in territory and population, with steadily increasing resources and enterprise, are barred from free and safe access to the high seas. Russia has no port open the year round. Austria has only Trieste, on the Adriatic, with more or less precarious communication with the Mediterranean. Germany must send practically all her foreign commerce through the English Channel, which in the present condition of naval armaments might readily be closed by British fleets. Russia seeks a free passage from her Black Sea ports through the Dardanelles. Austria seeks more southern ports on the Adriatic and the Aegean. Germany for two decades has been strengthening her navy and shaping her diplomacy to enable her to command the passage of the English Channel and to wrest from Great Britain the control of the ocean. Great Britain — with the nervous system of its vast empire centred in the islands of the United Kingdom — has seen that control of the ocean is her vital and supreme need, and has made and is making tremendous efforts to retain it. The interests of all these nations are real, legitimate, lasting, and in the changing developments of events for at least a half century they have sought to advance them by force or the threat of force. As an inevitable result, Europe is divided into two great armed groups, the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente — Germany, Austria, Italy, and Russia, France, Great Britain — and the peace of the world has depended on the fear of each group to attack the other.
Suddenly there has arisen in the extreme southeast of the Continent another group of nations, each relatively weak and poor, but shown to be very formidable in united action, gallant and effective fighters, capable of rivaling the great Powers in military organization, in planning and in carrying on campaigns. The European balance has been amazingly disturbed. Turkey, the one active element in all calculations for the Near East, has been wiped out. The chancelleries have been immensely puzzled. Germany has treated the situation as one practically of war, and is strengthening her army and navy as if "the enemy were at the gates." France has followed Germany's example. Austria has threatened actual aggression. Only the relative unreadiness of Russia and the singularly wise and calm policy of England have prevented a "conflagration."
In this anxious and uncertain crisis, when each of the great Powers trembles for its special interests, we believe that it may be possible to replace the contention as to special interests by a policy of united promotion of all interests. If Constantinople and Salonika were made free ports; if Russia had her access to the sea; if all the Balkan States and Greece were united in a zollverein, with provision for order and for development throughout the peninsula, the immediate sources of peril in the Near East would be removed. A like policy on a broader scale would not be impracticable for the larger European interests. Germany and Great Britain could with advantage to both reach an agreement as to German expansion in Africa and the peaceful passage of the English Channel. Austria would have her access to the southeast not by force of arms but through an orderly and gradually prospering land. In the spirit of cooperation and joint effort for the true interests of each the whole of Europe could be transformed from two great armed camps to a congeries of peaceful and progressive nations, each steadfastly and naturally developing its resources. We do not deny that it is an idealistic solution of vexed and difficult problems. But there never was a time when it could be undertaken with more reasonable prospect of practical success.
The curious but not incredible story of the surrender of Scutari published by the Paris Temps and reported in our transatlantic dispatches yesterday morning adds another touch of complexity to the Balkan situation. If Essad Pasha, the Turkish commander, himself an Albanian, was allowed to transfer his army, with all its arms and ammunition, to a strong strategic position at Tirana, well within the proposed frontier of Albania, it may make the erection of an autonomous State a much harder task than had been expected. If an understanding exists between him and King Nicholas of Montenegro, they can show a considerable "nuisance value," and, after the style of Rumania, seek substantial "compensation" for refraining from mischief. But while they may change, to their own gain, the terms of the settlement agreed on in principle by the Powers, it is not likely that they can prevent that settlement.
Of course, there is always the risk that a sudden and unexpected change like this may arouse Austria to pass the line between the bluffing she has so frequently indulged in and aggressive action. That, according to Sir Edward Grey, was avoided, not long since, only by the agreement of the Powers as to Albania. But it is reasonable to infer that the future can be handled as the past was and that peace will be maintained. The glimpse of possibilities which the statesmen of Europe had as they stood on the very brink of a general conflict will, it may be hoped, tend to keep them well away from that dizzy and slippery verge. Nor is it beyond the range of expectation that, face to face with the reality of war, they may find a mode of dealing with conflicting interests that will not only avoid war but make fairly lasting peace practicable. Since no one Power or group of Powers can, without a clash, secure its own exclusive aims, it may be possible to combine to secure and develop the interests of all and to seek the advantage of each by promoting common advantage.
It is a curious fact that three of the great Powers of Europe, the greatest in territory and population, with steadily increasing resources and enterprise, are barred from free and safe access to the high seas. Russia has no port open the year round. Austria has only Trieste, on the Adriatic, with more or less precarious communication with the Mediterranean. Germany must send practically all her foreign commerce through the English Channel, which in the present condition of naval armaments might readily be closed by British fleets. Russia seeks a free passage from her Black Sea ports through the Dardanelles. Austria seeks more southern ports on the Adriatic and the Aegean. Germany for two decades has been strengthening her navy and shaping her diplomacy to enable her to command the passage of the English Channel and to wrest from Great Britain the control of the ocean. Great Britain — with the nervous system of its vast empire centred in the islands of the United Kingdom — has seen that control of the ocean is her vital and supreme need, and has made and is making tremendous efforts to retain it. The interests of all these nations are real, legitimate, lasting, and in the changing developments of events for at least a half century they have sought to advance them by force or the threat of force. As an inevitable result, Europe is divided into two great armed groups, the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente — Germany, Austria, Italy, and Russia, France, Great Britain — and the peace of the world has depended on the fear of each group to attack the other.
Suddenly there has arisen in the extreme southeast of the Continent another group of nations, each relatively weak and poor, but shown to be very formidable in united action, gallant and effective fighters, capable of rivaling the great Powers in military organization, in planning and in carrying on campaigns. The European balance has been amazingly disturbed. Turkey, the one active element in all calculations for the Near East, has been wiped out. The chancelleries have been immensely puzzled. Germany has treated the situation as one practically of war, and is strengthening her army and navy as if "the enemy were at the gates." France has followed Germany's example. Austria has threatened actual aggression. Only the relative unreadiness of Russia and the singularly wise and calm policy of England have prevented a "conflagration."
In this anxious and uncertain crisis, when each of the great Powers trembles for its special interests, we believe that it may be possible to replace the contention as to special interests by a policy of united promotion of all interests. If Constantinople and Salonika were made free ports; if Russia had her access to the sea; if all the Balkan States and Greece were united in a zollverein, with provision for order and for development throughout the peninsula, the immediate sources of peril in the Near East would be removed. A like policy on a broader scale would not be impracticable for the larger European interests. Germany and Great Britain could with advantage to both reach an agreement as to German expansion in Africa and the peaceful passage of the English Channel. Austria would have her access to the southeast not by force of arms but through an orderly and gradually prospering land. In the spirit of cooperation and joint effort for the true interests of each the whole of Europe could be transformed from two great armed camps to a congeries of peaceful and progressive nations, each steadfastly and naturally developing its resources. We do not deny that it is an idealistic solution of vexed and difficult problems. But there never was a time when it could be undertaken with more reasonable prospect of practical success.
Flies Over Panama Canal.
New York Times 100 years ago today, April 28, 1913:
Fowler Makes Trip from Pacific to Atlantic in 55 Minutes.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
PANAMA, April 27.— Robert G. Fowler, the aviator, successfully flew from the Pacific over the canal this morning in a hydroaeroplane with a passenger, landing at the Atlantic side, in fifty-five minutes. A picture was taken of the operator and machine in motion.
The flight has frequently been termed impossible, on account of the air currents over Culebra. Fowler flew directly over the cut, and was able to carry out various evolutions despite wind obstacles.
Leaving Panama Beach at 9:45 A.M., he circled over Panama City and the canal's entrance for a while, then rose high and steered toward Colon, where he encountered a twenty-five-mile breeze. In continuing to Cristobal the motor suddenly stopped, after missing fire, through the gasoline giving out. Fowler succeeded in landing with ease on a reef. The pontoon was torn, but otherwise his machine was undamaged.
Fowler Makes Trip from Pacific to Atlantic in 55 Minutes.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
PANAMA, April 27.— Robert G. Fowler, the aviator, successfully flew from the Pacific over the canal this morning in a hydroaeroplane with a passenger, landing at the Atlantic side, in fifty-five minutes. A picture was taken of the operator and machine in motion.
The flight has frequently been termed impossible, on account of the air currents over Culebra. Fowler flew directly over the cut, and was able to carry out various evolutions despite wind obstacles.
Leaving Panama Beach at 9:45 A.M., he circled over Panama City and the canal's entrance for a while, then rose high and steered toward Colon, where he encountered a twenty-five-mile breeze. In continuing to Cristobal the motor suddenly stopped, after missing fire, through the gasoline giving out. Fowler succeeded in landing with ease on a reef. The pontoon was torn, but otherwise his machine was undamaged.
Sun Yat Sen's Warning.
New York Times 100 years ago today, April 28, 1913:
He Tells Shanghai Consuls the Loan Will Split the Empire.
LONDON, Monday, April 28.— The Times's Peking correspondent says that the Kwo Ming Tang political party protested against the conclusion of the five-power loan of $125,000,000 without Parliamentary sanction, and Sun Yat Sen warned the Consuls at Shanghai that its completion would provoke a breach between the North and South.
As ground for believing that certain military measures have been taken by the revolutionaries, the threat is not without significance.
He Tells Shanghai Consuls the Loan Will Split the Empire.
LONDON, Monday, April 28.— The Times's Peking correspondent says that the Kwo Ming Tang political party protested against the conclusion of the five-power loan of $125,000,000 without Parliamentary sanction, and Sun Yat Sen warned the Consuls at Shanghai that its completion would provoke a breach between the North and South.
As ground for believing that certain military measures have been taken by the revolutionaries, the threat is not without significance.
China Loan Signed, Rebellion Feared.
New York Times 100 years ago today, April 28, 1913:
Agreement Concluded at Daybreak in Spite of Parliament's Protests.
$125,000,000 IS INVOLVED
Dominant Political Party Opposes Yun Shih Kai's Compact with Five-Power Group.
PEKING, April 27.— China's day of prayer did not prove entirely peaceful, because of dissension over the five-power loan. The loan, which is for $125,000,000, was signed just before daybreak, the Chinese and foreign signatories having assembled late last evening to conclude the details.
A delegation from the Senate and House of Representatives gathered outside the British Bank, where the representatives of the Government and the five-power group met. The Vice President of the Senate acted as spokesman for the delegation, and, when an opportunity was given to him to confer with the signatories, he explained that the majority in the Parliament considered the loan illegal.
Since the days of the monarchy the question of a loan has been discussed in various forms, and it threatens now to bring about another revolution similar to that caused by the Hu-Kuang loan.
The situation is about as follows: The five-power bankers and the Chinese Government have arranged the loan practically for Yuan Shin Kai's Cabinet, which Yuan Shin Kai completely dominates. The Cabinet contends that the Government has a right to conclude such a contract because the permanent Assembly has not yet been constituted, and therefore approval of the six-power loan by the Provisional Assembly holds good. In addition to the withdrawal of the United States from the combination, however, other alterations have been made in the contract since the Assembly approved it.
The Kwo Ming Tang Party, which is the dominating political party, would remove Yuan Shi Kai by parliamentary means or by force, but neither is possible while the President controls the army at Peking. The adherents of the Kwo Ming Tang Party do not desire to withdraw to Nanking for the purpose of establishing a Parliament there, because such action would result in disruption of the North from the South.
The deadlock is at present complete. Members of the Kwo Ming Tang express the fear that some of the powers represented in the loan — Great Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and Japan — now that the loan is concluded with Yuan Shih Kai may strengthen his hands by recognizing the republic at an early date. In this connection an interesting question arises as to whether the United States will anticipate these powers, in spite of the fact that the Chinese House of Representatives has again failed to elect a Speaker.
It is probable that the Southern party will seek to cancel the loan as a test of their strength against Yuan Shih Kai.
Agreement Concluded at Daybreak in Spite of Parliament's Protests.
$125,000,000 IS INVOLVED
Dominant Political Party Opposes Yun Shih Kai's Compact with Five-Power Group.
PEKING, April 27.— China's day of prayer did not prove entirely peaceful, because of dissension over the five-power loan. The loan, which is for $125,000,000, was signed just before daybreak, the Chinese and foreign signatories having assembled late last evening to conclude the details.
A delegation from the Senate and House of Representatives gathered outside the British Bank, where the representatives of the Government and the five-power group met. The Vice President of the Senate acted as spokesman for the delegation, and, when an opportunity was given to him to confer with the signatories, he explained that the majority in the Parliament considered the loan illegal.
Since the days of the monarchy the question of a loan has been discussed in various forms, and it threatens now to bring about another revolution similar to that caused by the Hu-Kuang loan.
The situation is about as follows: The five-power bankers and the Chinese Government have arranged the loan practically for Yuan Shin Kai's Cabinet, which Yuan Shin Kai completely dominates. The Cabinet contends that the Government has a right to conclude such a contract because the permanent Assembly has not yet been constituted, and therefore approval of the six-power loan by the Provisional Assembly holds good. In addition to the withdrawal of the United States from the combination, however, other alterations have been made in the contract since the Assembly approved it.
The Kwo Ming Tang Party, which is the dominating political party, would remove Yuan Shi Kai by parliamentary means or by force, but neither is possible while the President controls the army at Peking. The adherents of the Kwo Ming Tang Party do not desire to withdraw to Nanking for the purpose of establishing a Parliament there, because such action would result in disruption of the North from the South.
The deadlock is at present complete. Members of the Kwo Ming Tang express the fear that some of the powers represented in the loan — Great Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and Japan — now that the loan is concluded with Yuan Shih Kai may strengthen his hands by recognizing the republic at an early date. In this connection an interesting question arises as to whether the United States will anticipate these powers, in spite of the fact that the Chinese House of Representatives has again failed to elect a Speaker.
It is probable that the Southern party will seek to cancel the loan as a test of their strength against Yuan Shih Kai.
Mexican Rebels Get Town.
New York Times 100 years ago today, April 28, 1913:
Capture Vanegas in San Luis Potosi and Cut Railway.
MEXICO CITY, April 27.— Further evidence of the aggressiveness of the Northern rebels was given to-day when several hundred of them, well armed and mounted, captured the town of Vanegas on the National Railway in the State of San Luis Potosi. They cut the railway to the north and then moved to Matehuala, a mining and smelting centre.
Dozens of engagements have occurred in the last week in various parts of the republic. Most of these have been victories for the Federals, according to reports here, but in no case have the rebels lost heavily. The greatest rebel losses were at Reata, where their casualties are said to have numbered 150.
The rebels continue to cover new territory and cripple transportation facilities. More than 2,500 miles of the National Railways system is out of commission. To that is added a long stretch of the Southern Pacific south of Guaymas and other short independent lines.
The inability up to date of the Government to float a loan is a serious handicap, but notwithstanding that President Huerta is forcing the campaign. The recent announcement that the pay in the army would be a peso and a half a day has been followed by fresh efforts to augment the ranks. Recruits, for the most part by conscription, are being obtained here at the rate of 100 a day. The Government believes it will be able to hold Guaymas.
Mexico City papers are printing stories of dissensions among the Sonora rebels, and assuring their readers that the movement in the north is disintegrating as a result. The Government assurances that there are no rebels in the State of Sinaloa are not supported by private advices, which are that even the capital of the State, Culiacan, is threatened.
In the south Zapata and his allies are waging a terrible campaign of destruction. The Government threatens to proceed without mercy against those rebels. It is said that it intends to deport men, women, and children to the jungles of Quintana Roo when captured, and will | attempt to drive the others to the southern boundary of that territory, which is described popularly as Mexico's Siberia.
As the telegraph lines over an enormous area are in the control of the rebels, accurate news is scarce. There have been no mails from abroad in three weeks. Tension in the capital, caused by the withdrawal of Gen. Felix Diaz as candidate for the Presidency, as a result of the refusal of Congress to call the elections on July 27, practically has disappeared since President Huerta and his Cabinet have agreed to make a new effort for holding the elections.
EL PASO, Texas, April 27.— All Federal forces in Chihuahua State are being mobilized in Chihuahua City, the State capital, passengers arriving here to-day report. Santa Rosa Mountain, commanding the city, has been fortified and topped, with a battery of heavy artillery. With only 500 troops in the capital, Gen. Antonio Rabago, Military Governor, has ordered the Parral garrison to move in. That would abandon Parral, centre of an American mining and smelting district, to the Constitutionalistas, who appear to be growing stronger daily. The insurgents are estimated to number more than 4,000. They have operated mostly south of Chihuahua City.
The Parral garrison, said to number almost 2,000, will be compelled to fight its way to the capital, as the Constitutionalistas continue to hold Santa Rosalia between Chihuahua City and Jiminez. Col. Manuel Pueblita, who commanded the Santa Rosalia garrison, is reported killed by the insurgents, who were led by Rosalia Hernandez. The Federal guard has been removed from the Ortiz railroad bridge, destruction of which would cripple the Mexican Central Railway.
Gen. Jose Inez Salazar and his ex-rebels are expected to arrive to-morrow in Juarez, on their way to the State capital. That would leave practically no garrison in the Casas Grandes district, threatened by a movement of Francisco Villa's insurgents from the south. Villa's men, after sacking the town of Tamosecnic, are reported to have moved, toward Madera, an American lumbering town south of Casas Grandes.
Capture Vanegas in San Luis Potosi and Cut Railway.
MEXICO CITY, April 27.— Further evidence of the aggressiveness of the Northern rebels was given to-day when several hundred of them, well armed and mounted, captured the town of Vanegas on the National Railway in the State of San Luis Potosi. They cut the railway to the north and then moved to Matehuala, a mining and smelting centre.
Dozens of engagements have occurred in the last week in various parts of the republic. Most of these have been victories for the Federals, according to reports here, but in no case have the rebels lost heavily. The greatest rebel losses were at Reata, where their casualties are said to have numbered 150.
The rebels continue to cover new territory and cripple transportation facilities. More than 2,500 miles of the National Railways system is out of commission. To that is added a long stretch of the Southern Pacific south of Guaymas and other short independent lines.
The inability up to date of the Government to float a loan is a serious handicap, but notwithstanding that President Huerta is forcing the campaign. The recent announcement that the pay in the army would be a peso and a half a day has been followed by fresh efforts to augment the ranks. Recruits, for the most part by conscription, are being obtained here at the rate of 100 a day. The Government believes it will be able to hold Guaymas.
Mexico City papers are printing stories of dissensions among the Sonora rebels, and assuring their readers that the movement in the north is disintegrating as a result. The Government assurances that there are no rebels in the State of Sinaloa are not supported by private advices, which are that even the capital of the State, Culiacan, is threatened.
In the south Zapata and his allies are waging a terrible campaign of destruction. The Government threatens to proceed without mercy against those rebels. It is said that it intends to deport men, women, and children to the jungles of Quintana Roo when captured, and will | attempt to drive the others to the southern boundary of that territory, which is described popularly as Mexico's Siberia.
As the telegraph lines over an enormous area are in the control of the rebels, accurate news is scarce. There have been no mails from abroad in three weeks. Tension in the capital, caused by the withdrawal of Gen. Felix Diaz as candidate for the Presidency, as a result of the refusal of Congress to call the elections on July 27, practically has disappeared since President Huerta and his Cabinet have agreed to make a new effort for holding the elections.
EL PASO, Texas, April 27.— All Federal forces in Chihuahua State are being mobilized in Chihuahua City, the State capital, passengers arriving here to-day report. Santa Rosa Mountain, commanding the city, has been fortified and topped, with a battery of heavy artillery. With only 500 troops in the capital, Gen. Antonio Rabago, Military Governor, has ordered the Parral garrison to move in. That would abandon Parral, centre of an American mining and smelting district, to the Constitutionalistas, who appear to be growing stronger daily. The insurgents are estimated to number more than 4,000. They have operated mostly south of Chihuahua City.
The Parral garrison, said to number almost 2,000, will be compelled to fight its way to the capital, as the Constitutionalistas continue to hold Santa Rosalia between Chihuahua City and Jiminez. Col. Manuel Pueblita, who commanded the Santa Rosalia garrison, is reported killed by the insurgents, who were led by Rosalia Hernandez. The Federal guard has been removed from the Ortiz railroad bridge, destruction of which would cripple the Mexican Central Railway.
Gen. Jose Inez Salazar and his ex-rebels are expected to arrive to-morrow in Juarez, on their way to the State capital. That would leave practically no garrison in the Casas Grandes district, threatened by a movement of Francisco Villa's insurgents from the south. Villa's men, after sacking the town of Tamosecnic, are reported to have moved, toward Madera, an American lumbering town south of Casas Grandes.
Tourists In War Zone..
New York Times 100 years ago today, April 28, 1913:
Those on the Laconia Held Up Three Times Near Constantinople.
Daniel D. Bidwell, a well-to-do business man of Hartford, who returned yesterday on the Carmania, was one of the tourists on the Clark cruise of the Laconia, which sailed from New York on Feb. 12, and was the only tourist cruiser, he said, that got to Constantinople or Piraeus this season, owing to the war.
"When we stopped at Madeira," said Mr. Bidwell, "we took on board Deputy United States Consul Louis Peck of Constantinople, and I believe that is the reason we got through and saw the city.
"Going through the Dardanelles the ship was stopped by a blank shot fired from the fort on the European side. After hoisting signals stating that the Laconia was a tourist steamer we were allowed to proceed. A short time after that a shot was fired from a fort on the Asiatic side, and we stopped again. The same signals were hoisted, and all was well. The steamer had gone ahead only a few minutes when a solid shot was fired across her bows from a water battery. Then the Captain stopped and anchored, and a rowboat came off with a Turkish naval officer sitting in the stern.
"Capt. Irvine, as commander in the Royal Naval Reserve, had a blue ensign flying at the stern instead of the familiar red British ensign, and this, the officer told him, had caused the Laconia to be mistaken for a warship.
"As there were the full number of warships belonging to Great Britain in the Dardanelles at the time, the officer informed the commander that unless he lowered the blue ensign and hoisted the red flag of the merchant marine he could not go in. Capt. Irvine complied with as good grace as possible, and we went in and anchored near the warships of the various nations off the Golden Horn."
Frank C. Clark, who was also on the Carmania, said that Constantinople was full of disabled and maimed soldiers, and the feature of their appearance to the Americans was the resigned way in which they took their injuries.
In Athens the tourists from the Laconia went to the hotels Grand Bretagne and D'Angleterre, opposite the Royal Palace, and were surrounded with Greek soldiers after dinner who apparently had all come from America to serve in the war, and who hailed them with "Any one here from Kansas City?" "Who's from Chicago?" "Any news from good old New York?" and similar queries. There were few wounded soldiers in Athens.
Those on the Laconia Held Up Three Times Near Constantinople.
Daniel D. Bidwell, a well-to-do business man of Hartford, who returned yesterday on the Carmania, was one of the tourists on the Clark cruise of the Laconia, which sailed from New York on Feb. 12, and was the only tourist cruiser, he said, that got to Constantinople or Piraeus this season, owing to the war.
"When we stopped at Madeira," said Mr. Bidwell, "we took on board Deputy United States Consul Louis Peck of Constantinople, and I believe that is the reason we got through and saw the city.
"Going through the Dardanelles the ship was stopped by a blank shot fired from the fort on the European side. After hoisting signals stating that the Laconia was a tourist steamer we were allowed to proceed. A short time after that a shot was fired from a fort on the Asiatic side, and we stopped again. The same signals were hoisted, and all was well. The steamer had gone ahead only a few minutes when a solid shot was fired across her bows from a water battery. Then the Captain stopped and anchored, and a rowboat came off with a Turkish naval officer sitting in the stern.
"Capt. Irvine, as commander in the Royal Naval Reserve, had a blue ensign flying at the stern instead of the familiar red British ensign, and this, the officer told him, had caused the Laconia to be mistaken for a warship.
"As there were the full number of warships belonging to Great Britain in the Dardanelles at the time, the officer informed the commander that unless he lowered the blue ensign and hoisted the red flag of the merchant marine he could not go in. Capt. Irvine complied with as good grace as possible, and we went in and anchored near the warships of the various nations off the Golden Horn."
Frank C. Clark, who was also on the Carmania, said that Constantinople was full of disabled and maimed soldiers, and the feature of their appearance to the Americans was the resigned way in which they took their injuries.
In Athens the tourists from the Laconia went to the hotels Grand Bretagne and D'Angleterre, opposite the Royal Palace, and were surrounded with Greek soldiers after dinner who apparently had all come from America to serve in the war, and who hailed them with "Any one here from Kansas City?" "Who's from Chicago?" "Any news from good old New York?" and similar queries. There were few wounded soldiers in Athens.
Austrian Fleet On Way.
New York Times 100 years ago today, April 28, 1913:
Kaiser Said to Have Heard Montenegro Has Been Invaded.
LONDON, Monday, April 27.— An Austrian naval division has left Trieste with 10,000 troops, with the intention of occupying Antivari, Dulcigno, and San Giovanni di Medua, and advancing against Cettinje, according to a report published in Berlin.
The Strassberger Post asserts that the German Emperor has received a telegram to the effect that the Austrians have already entered Montenegro.
The reports are not officially confirmed, but there is great warlike activity in Austria, and it is felt certain here that Austria will act quickly unless the Ambassadorial conference in London to-day decides on a drastic policy to compel the Montenegrins to evacuate Scutari.
The Vienna correspondent of The Daily Mail hears that after a war council at which important decisions were taken Emperor Francis Joseph exclaimed that he had done his utmost to preserve peace because he wished to spend in tranquility the last span of life Heaven had allotted to him, but that Europe wished to force him into war.
The Ambassadors of the powers presented a note at Cettinje yesterday formally demanding the evacuation of the city.
The Montenegrin Ministers excused themselves from consideration of the note until after the Easter festivities, but it is understood that the reply when given will be an emphatic negative.
In the meantime King Nicholas has issued a proclamation at Scutari, taking formal possession of the town.
Essad Pasha, who has made a dramatic move in proclaiming himself King of Albania, is a native chieftain of the type that earned for the Albanians a reputation for barbaric simplicity, approaching savagery. He was always opposed to the Young Turks' repressive measures in Albania. In Vienna and Paris his surrender of Scutari is now regarded as having been an arranged matter with King Nicholas — a coup de théàtre to deceive Europe.
Kaiser Said to Have Heard Montenegro Has Been Invaded.
LONDON, Monday, April 27.— An Austrian naval division has left Trieste with 10,000 troops, with the intention of occupying Antivari, Dulcigno, and San Giovanni di Medua, and advancing against Cettinje, according to a report published in Berlin.
The Strassberger Post asserts that the German Emperor has received a telegram to the effect that the Austrians have already entered Montenegro.
The reports are not officially confirmed, but there is great warlike activity in Austria, and it is felt certain here that Austria will act quickly unless the Ambassadorial conference in London to-day decides on a drastic policy to compel the Montenegrins to evacuate Scutari.
The Vienna correspondent of The Daily Mail hears that after a war council at which important decisions were taken Emperor Francis Joseph exclaimed that he had done his utmost to preserve peace because he wished to spend in tranquility the last span of life Heaven had allotted to him, but that Europe wished to force him into war.
The Ambassadors of the powers presented a note at Cettinje yesterday formally demanding the evacuation of the city.
The Montenegrin Ministers excused themselves from consideration of the note until after the Easter festivities, but it is understood that the reply when given will be an emphatic negative.
In the meantime King Nicholas has issued a proclamation at Scutari, taking formal possession of the town.
Essad Pasha, who has made a dramatic move in proclaiming himself King of Albania, is a native chieftain of the type that earned for the Albanians a reputation for barbaric simplicity, approaching savagery. He was always opposed to the Young Turks' repressive measures in Albania. In Vienna and Paris his surrender of Scutari is now regarded as having been an arranged matter with King Nicholas — a coup de théàtre to deceive Europe.
Hears Austrian Army Is Moving.
New York Times 100 years ago today, April 28, 1913:
Berlin Rumor That 10,000 Men Have Sailed on Warships to Seize Montenegrin Towns.
INVASION BEGUN, IS REPORT
All the Powers Are Agreed on Policy of Compelling Him to Evacuate Scutari.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
LONDON, Monday, April 28.— Special importance attaches to the meeting of the Ambassadors to-day, as it is understood that Austria's full statement of her position in regard to Scutari will be discussed.
Reports are current in Berlin that Austrian troops on warships have already sailed south to seize Montenegrin towns. While these are not confirmed, they emphasize the critical state of affairs.
Since the meeting of the Ambassadors of the powers here on Friday the Russian Minister at Cettinje has been instructed to join his colleagues in calling upon King Nicholas of Montenegro to evacuate Scutari. The promptness with which Russia has associated herself with the other powers in this step will, it is hoped here, strengthen the influences now working at Vienna against separate action by Austria-Hungary.
According to the Vienna correspondent of The London Times no irrevocable decision is thought to have been made yet, in spite of the statements of the press that Austria-Hungary is determined to wait no longer. Important conferences have been held by the Emperor with Count Berchtold and the Chief of the General Staff, and also with Archduke Francis Ferdinand. Of the result of these consultations there is no authentic information, but it is reported from Hungarian sources that orders have been given to make all necessary preparations for separate action, though the moment of taking such action is not fixed.
Russia Urges Delay.
The correspondent says that the Russian Government has made verbal representations to Vienna, deprecating precipitate action and pointing out that the powers have not yet exhausted the means of pressure and persuasion.
This is the view held by a majority of the powers, who, while agreeing with Austria-Hungary that King Nicholas cannot be allowed to retain possession of Scutari, are anxious not to use force to turn him out until every other means has been tried and failed.
At any rate, it is felt that Austria should await the effect of the formal summons to evacuate that city which is about to be made to King Nicholas by the representatives of all the powers.
The correspondent adds that Austria-Hungary has little confidence in the gentler but slower methods favored by the other powers, and that the fate of the concert depends upon whether she can be persuaded to give them a fair trial. As the whole of Europe is pledged to see that its will ultimately prevails over King Nicholas there is reason to hope that she will consent to exercise patience.
Essad Bey Seeks Throne.
A fresh complication is introduced into the situation by the action of Essad Bey, proclaiming himself King of Albania. He has with him the Scutari garrison of 30,000 Turkish and Albanian troops, who are now marching on Tirana in Central Albania, where, it is stated, the remnants of the Turkish Army of Macedonia, some 10,000 men under Djavid Pasha, will join him. Djavid, it is added, will become Essad's War Minister.
The Daily Mail's correspondent at Belgrade states definitely that King Nicholas and Essad Bey are in alliance, but the report that the Montenegrins will hand Scutari back to Essad Bey is at present incredible. Whatever plot may be hatched between King Nicholas and Essad, it is not expected to alter in the least the international status of Albania, as agreed upon by the powers.
Berlin Rumor That 10,000 Men Have Sailed on Warships to Seize Montenegrin Towns.
INVASION BEGUN, IS REPORT
All the Powers Are Agreed on Policy of Compelling Him to Evacuate Scutari.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
LONDON, Monday, April 28.— Special importance attaches to the meeting of the Ambassadors to-day, as it is understood that Austria's full statement of her position in regard to Scutari will be discussed.
Reports are current in Berlin that Austrian troops on warships have already sailed south to seize Montenegrin towns. While these are not confirmed, they emphasize the critical state of affairs.
Since the meeting of the Ambassadors of the powers here on Friday the Russian Minister at Cettinje has been instructed to join his colleagues in calling upon King Nicholas of Montenegro to evacuate Scutari. The promptness with which Russia has associated herself with the other powers in this step will, it is hoped here, strengthen the influences now working at Vienna against separate action by Austria-Hungary.
According to the Vienna correspondent of The London Times no irrevocable decision is thought to have been made yet, in spite of the statements of the press that Austria-Hungary is determined to wait no longer. Important conferences have been held by the Emperor with Count Berchtold and the Chief of the General Staff, and also with Archduke Francis Ferdinand. Of the result of these consultations there is no authentic information, but it is reported from Hungarian sources that orders have been given to make all necessary preparations for separate action, though the moment of taking such action is not fixed.
Russia Urges Delay.
The correspondent says that the Russian Government has made verbal representations to Vienna, deprecating precipitate action and pointing out that the powers have not yet exhausted the means of pressure and persuasion.
This is the view held by a majority of the powers, who, while agreeing with Austria-Hungary that King Nicholas cannot be allowed to retain possession of Scutari, are anxious not to use force to turn him out until every other means has been tried and failed.
At any rate, it is felt that Austria should await the effect of the formal summons to evacuate that city which is about to be made to King Nicholas by the representatives of all the powers.
The correspondent adds that Austria-Hungary has little confidence in the gentler but slower methods favored by the other powers, and that the fate of the concert depends upon whether she can be persuaded to give them a fair trial. As the whole of Europe is pledged to see that its will ultimately prevails over King Nicholas there is reason to hope that she will consent to exercise patience.
Essad Bey Seeks Throne.
A fresh complication is introduced into the situation by the action of Essad Bey, proclaiming himself King of Albania. He has with him the Scutari garrison of 30,000 Turkish and Albanian troops, who are now marching on Tirana in Central Albania, where, it is stated, the remnants of the Turkish Army of Macedonia, some 10,000 men under Djavid Pasha, will join him. Djavid, it is added, will become Essad's War Minister.
The Daily Mail's correspondent at Belgrade states definitely that King Nicholas and Essad Bey are in alliance, but the report that the Montenegrins will hand Scutari back to Essad Bey is at present incredible. Whatever plot may be hatched between King Nicholas and Essad, it is not expected to alter in the least the international status of Albania, as agreed upon by the powers.
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Krupp Scandal Shatters Germany's Industrial Idol.
New York Times 100 years ago today, April 27, 1913:
Germany's excitement over the Krupp scandal is not due alone to the rarity of graft cases in that country, or to the fact that it touches her in her most sensitive place — the army. It is due partly to the fact that the Krupp establishment has come to be looked upon as a national institution, and that every German has been immensely proud of it as one of the glories of the Fatherland.
And now to discover that this great industry has stooped to the bribing of officials — a fact admitted by the Krupp firm, after the charge had been made in the Reichstag — and that it had been supplying French newspapers with material for war-scare articles, so as to induce the German Government to buy more armament from the Krupps, is more to Germany than a scandal. It is a catastrophe.
The charges were made in the Reichstag by Dr. Leibknecht, the Socialist Deputy, ami in the columns of the Vorwaerts, the Socialist newspaper. It is a coincidence that it was that newspaper which ten years ago printed another scandalous story about the Krupps, which caused the death of the then head of the works, Friedrich Alfred Krupp.
Results of Inquiry.
It was impossible to refute him, because the Minister of War, Gen. von Heeringen, was obliged to admit then and there that an inquiry was going on which had already revealed that "one of the Krupp officials" had bribed officers to reveal certain information. The following day the Krupps issued a statement in which they admitted that their representatives in Berlin had maintained "friendly relations" with their former "comrades" of the War Department for the purpose of obtaining "business information," and had bestowed small presents "on certain under officials."
It was on Friday that Liebknecht exploded his bomb and forced von Heeringen to reveal that secret inquiry and on Saturday that the Krupps made their admission of bribery. On Sunday The Vorwaerts published the text of the instructions sent by the Deutsche Munitions und Waffenfabrik to its Paris agent to "leave no stone unturned" to persuade some popular French newspaper to publish a statement that France intended to double her orders for machine guns. The object was to get the German Government to order machine guns from the Deutsche Munitions and Waffenfabrik. On Tuesday the popular indignation had risen so high that Gen. von Heeringen's plea for a suspension of judgment until his private inquiry had done its work was forgotten. The Budget Committee of the Reichstag voted to appoint a Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry into the scandal. This commission, however, despite the protests of the Socialists, was not vested with power to send for persons and papers.
Although the Krupp works date from 1810, when Friedrich Krupp established his forge at Essen, it was his son, Alfred Krupp, who was the real founder of the industry. Friedrich died practically bankrupt in 1826, leaving little more than the secret of his cast-steel process to his son, and it was thirty years before any striking results were achieved. It was in 1810 that Friedrich Krupp purchased a small forge in Essen, where he devoted himself to the problem of manufacturing cast steel, but though the article was put on the market by him in 1815 it commanded but little sale, and the firm was anything but prosperous. He employed only three workmen.
Alfred Krupp was born April 26, 1812, and at the time of his father's death was only 14 years old. His mother carried on the works until Alfred reached his majority, so that twice in the history of the works have they been managed by women. The present head of the industry is Bertha Krupp, the granddaughter of the woman who became its manager in 1826.
The Krupps had so little money that Alfred, on his father's death, was compelled to leave school to assist his mother. He displayed a phenomenal aptitude for the foundry business, and the works developed with increasing rapidity after his influence was felt in their management. By 1848 the firm had expanded so that 122 workmen were employed.
As late as 1848, the year in which his mother relinquished the sole management of the works into his hands, he melted the family plate to pay his workmen. To-day the mighty industry furnishes employment to a majority of the workmen of three titles and a dozen coal and iron mining towns. The ships built from it, equipped with its steel, and armed with its cannon, are on all the seas, and wherever steel is used the name of Krupp is known. The capital of the firm now is about $60,000,000. It was in 1847 that Krupp scored his first real success, when he made a three-pounder muzzle-loading gun of cast steel. At the great London exhibition of 1851 he exhibited a solid flawless ingot of cast steel weighing two tons, thus establishing the fact that an important firm existed in Germany capable of turning out samples of excellent workmanship. The Essen works were everywhere spoken of and the output watched with the closest interest. The manufacture of weldless steel tires for railway vehicles was another invention which followed soon after.
The making of heavy ordnance, which has made the name of these works famous the world over, was not then a prominent part of the business. One of the first large orders he got for firearms came four years after the London exhibition, when Prussia gave him the contract for her new breech-loaders. The Khedive of Egypt followed this with a large order for war material, and Russia followed with contracts for large quantities of new weapons.
The Famous Krupp Guns.
While the Essen works were designed for general foundry work, the output for many years has consisted almost entirely of heavy guns; but it was not until 1846, twenty years after his father's death and thirty-six years after the founding of the firm, that Alfred Krupp began gunmaking. His first results were pieces of small calibre. As he became interested in the science, and as his discoveries in steel casting developed, the size and weight of the cannon he was able to construct increased steadily until these war monsters, which have become world-famous, became common occurrences in the Essen works.
The Krupp field gun is the basis of the mobile artillery of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy, Russia, and Turkey. Under the administration of Friedrich A. Krupp, Essen turned out the great pieces which guard Germany's fortresses and are mounted in her coast defenses. Krupp answered Krupp from the emplacements of Port Arthur against the siege batteries of Japan. And side by side with the instruments of war Essen placed a thousand and one steel products, illustrating Alfred Krupp's first and chief maxim: "No good steel without good iron," used in to-day's tools, machinery, railroads, and ships.
Krupp ordnance has roared all over the world. Some of the guns that fired at Dewey's squadron at Manila came from Essen. The siege guns used in the Franco-German war and in use at the bombardment of Paris were from this factory, and the Parisians' terror of them was not diminished by the memory of one of the Krupp masterpieces which had been exhibited in their city in 1867. It weighed 15,000 kilograms, and made away with $800 worth of powder and iron every time it was fired. After that war the Krupps refused to make cannon for France. As the business grew collateral industries were developed, and Essen, which had been a tiny village, expanded to a town of over 100,000 inhabitants, all dependent on the Krupp industries. Coal mines, coke ovens, iron mines, steamships, railroads, and blast-furnaces were bought. In 1872 Alfred Krupp owned 414 iron ore diggings, and when his son Friedrich died he owned over 500.
Upon Alfred's death, July 14, 1887, Friedrich A. Krupp became the head of the establishment. It has been said of him that he devoted himself to the financial, rather than the technical side of the business, but in 1902, at the annual meeting in London of the Iron and Steel Institute, the Bessemer gold medal for scientific research was awarded to him. This is one of the highest honors that can be paid to any man in the iron trade. It was given to him for his discoveries in the manufacture of armor plate. The son was thus following in the footsteps of his father.
Both Alfred and Friedrich A. Krupp declined titles. One was offered to the father by King William, afterward Emperor William I., in 1864, and William's son, the present Emperor, renewed the offer to Krupp's son. Neither would accept.
At the time of his death he was by far the richest man in Germany, and was called "the German Morgan." The Imperial income tax returns showed that in the year before his death he had a yearly income of between 20,000,000 marks ($4,760,000) and 21,000,000 marks. The second wealthiest man in the empire had an income of only 5,000,000 marks.
He directed in his will that the firm should be changed into a stock company. This was done, but Bertha Krupp, his daughter, who married Dr. von Behlen und von Halbach, holds all but four shares of this company. She is not only Germany's wealthiest woman, but its wealthiest subject and greatest taxpayer.
Hence she has been called "the Queen of Essen," and "Our Lady of the Cannon," and other romantic names. At the age of 18 there descended upon her the greatest industrial inheritance the world has yet known. She was 16 when her father died, and attained her majority in 1904.
In 1912 the Krupp centenary was celebrated. Although 1910 was the hundredth year after Friedrich Krupp's establishment of the works, 1912 was the centennial anniversary of the birth of Alfred Krupp, and the two events were commemorated in the latter year. The Kaiser and the most notable men in Germany, including many of royal rank, took part in the celebration.
Welfare Work at Essen.
A striking event of the jubilee week was the gift of $3,500,000 by the firm for charitable purposes. Three million marks, or $750,000, were given directly to laborers and officials, the latter receiving a month's salary and the former 5 to 100 marks, according to their length of service.
The remainder of the 14,000,000 marks was given in part as follows: Five million marks for investment to afford a fund to give the older employes a vacation with pay; 1,000,000 marks for a pension fund for officials, a million for women and children, two millions to Essen, with the provision that a million thereof must be used for a museum of art, half a million thereof for playgrounds, and the other half million for free beds in hospitals, &c., for all needy citizens of Essen, and two millions for athletic grounds and institutions, &c., for the army and marine.
Welfare work, however, was no new thing with the Krupps, who had become interested in the thing before the name was heard. Alfred Krupp had worked out for his employes a sick, death and unemployment benefit plan, which was used by Bismarck as the groundwork when the Iron Chancellor desired to make the beginnings of State compulsory insurance.
Essen is a city now of 150,000 population, and it owes its existence as a city to the Krupp works. But there is hardly a city in the world which is governed more in the communistic spirit than this. It is one of the very earliest places in which co-operative stores were established. They have been in existence there for over fifty years. "Bertha Krupp," says one writer, "may be the 'queen' of Essen, but her workmen conduct their own affairs without molestation. She limits her 'interference' to gifts of money, by which institutions of mutual good to the workmen may be established."
Schools, hospitals, and a convalescents' home have been established for the benefit of the Essen people and carried on under an elaborate system in which paternalism and co-operation each plays an important part.
The workmen's colonies, particularly the later ones designed under the supervision of Friedrich A. Krupp, are planned with a sense of beauty and variety. There is Friedrichshof, in which the old tenement structures have been remodeled; and Altenhof, the home of the retired workmen, a lovely environment of peaceful leisure for the aged.
The colony scheme was begun by Alfred Krupp in the sixties, when the rapidly increasing numbers of his workmen made it certain that unless steps were taken to arrange in a wise way for the social conditions surrounding them, undesirable congestion and its attendant squalor must arise.
The Krupp Model Colonies.
A sick fund had already been founded in 1853, a pension fund in 1856, and the co-operative stores in 1858. But it was not until 1863 that the first "model colony" was begun.
For twenty years Alfred Krupp aided his workmen in making their cottage homes the best in Germany, and upon his death in 1887 Friedrich A. Krupp took up the responsibility and bore it until his death in 1902. His widow then gave $250,000 to be devoted to the improvement of Essen, and when Bertha was married in 1906 it was reported that she and her husband would give an additional $400,000 to the benevolent institutions of the place.
The hospital, the baths and the schools, which were, begun over 25 years ago, have had libraries and gymnasiums added to them. In 1909 Bertha Krupp and her husband decided to erect at Essen, in memory of their baby son, a splendid maternity home, where the wives of the Krupp workmen should be cared for free of charge.
From the three men whom Friedrich Krupp employed, the 122 whom Alfred Krupp had in his employ 20 years after he look charge, the force working for the Krupps had grown to 50,000 at the death of Friedrich A. Krupp in 1902. The establishment now comprises 60,000 workmen and 6,750 engineers and clerks.
The works comprise five separate groups, the first of which is the Essen Steel Works, with proving grounds at Meppen. Tanger-Hütte, and Essen. This group includes the Milhofener-Hütte, with its four blast furnaces; the Herman-Hütte, with three blast furnaces, and the Sayner-Hütte, with coal and iron mines.
The second group is the Friedrich-Alfred Iron Works in Rheinhausen; the third, the Annen Steel Works; the fourth, the Gruson Machine Works, at Magdeburg-Buckau, and the fifth, the Germania shipyards, at Kiel.
The Essen Steel Works alone comprise some sixty-odd departments, covering an area of about 500 acres, and housing 7,200 machine tools, 17 roll trains, 187 hammers, 81 hydraulic presses, 397 steam boilers, and 569 steam engines, more than 2,200 electric motors, and 900 cranes.
Almost in the centre of the Essen Works stands the original Krupp factory and a family house, maintained intact, in accordance with the directions of Alfred Krupp. It bears this inscription:
Fifty years ago this cottage was the home of my parents. May none of our workmen have to go through the struggle which the building up of these works has cost us. The success which now so splendidly has rewarded our faith, our anxiety, and our efforts, was doubtful during twenty-five long years.
Let this example serve as an encouragement to others in difficulties. May it increase the respect for the many small houses and the great sorrows which often dwell in them.
The object of work must be mutual welfare; the work is blessed, then work is prayer. May all, from the highest to the lowest amongst us, work with the same earnestness to found and secure his own future success. That's my greatest wish.
Essen, February, 1873, twenty-five years after my assuming charge.
ALFRED KRUPP.
Germany's excitement over the Krupp scandal is not due alone to the rarity of graft cases in that country, or to the fact that it touches her in her most sensitive place — the army. It is due partly to the fact that the Krupp establishment has come to be looked upon as a national institution, and that every German has been immensely proud of it as one of the glories of the Fatherland.
And now to discover that this great industry has stooped to the bribing of officials — a fact admitted by the Krupp firm, after the charge had been made in the Reichstag — and that it had been supplying French newspapers with material for war-scare articles, so as to induce the German Government to buy more armament from the Krupps, is more to Germany than a scandal. It is a catastrophe.
The charges were made in the Reichstag by Dr. Leibknecht, the Socialist Deputy, ami in the columns of the Vorwaerts, the Socialist newspaper. It is a coincidence that it was that newspaper which ten years ago printed another scandalous story about the Krupps, which caused the death of the then head of the works, Friedrich Alfred Krupp.
Results of Inquiry.
It was impossible to refute him, because the Minister of War, Gen. von Heeringen, was obliged to admit then and there that an inquiry was going on which had already revealed that "one of the Krupp officials" had bribed officers to reveal certain information. The following day the Krupps issued a statement in which they admitted that their representatives in Berlin had maintained "friendly relations" with their former "comrades" of the War Department for the purpose of obtaining "business information," and had bestowed small presents "on certain under officials."
It was on Friday that Liebknecht exploded his bomb and forced von Heeringen to reveal that secret inquiry and on Saturday that the Krupps made their admission of bribery. On Sunday The Vorwaerts published the text of the instructions sent by the Deutsche Munitions und Waffenfabrik to its Paris agent to "leave no stone unturned" to persuade some popular French newspaper to publish a statement that France intended to double her orders for machine guns. The object was to get the German Government to order machine guns from the Deutsche Munitions and Waffenfabrik. On Tuesday the popular indignation had risen so high that Gen. von Heeringen's plea for a suspension of judgment until his private inquiry had done its work was forgotten. The Budget Committee of the Reichstag voted to appoint a Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry into the scandal. This commission, however, despite the protests of the Socialists, was not vested with power to send for persons and papers.
Although the Krupp works date from 1810, when Friedrich Krupp established his forge at Essen, it was his son, Alfred Krupp, who was the real founder of the industry. Friedrich died practically bankrupt in 1826, leaving little more than the secret of his cast-steel process to his son, and it was thirty years before any striking results were achieved. It was in 1810 that Friedrich Krupp purchased a small forge in Essen, where he devoted himself to the problem of manufacturing cast steel, but though the article was put on the market by him in 1815 it commanded but little sale, and the firm was anything but prosperous. He employed only three workmen.
Alfred Krupp was born April 26, 1812, and at the time of his father's death was only 14 years old. His mother carried on the works until Alfred reached his majority, so that twice in the history of the works have they been managed by women. The present head of the industry is Bertha Krupp, the granddaughter of the woman who became its manager in 1826.
The Krupps had so little money that Alfred, on his father's death, was compelled to leave school to assist his mother. He displayed a phenomenal aptitude for the foundry business, and the works developed with increasing rapidity after his influence was felt in their management. By 1848 the firm had expanded so that 122 workmen were employed.
As late as 1848, the year in which his mother relinquished the sole management of the works into his hands, he melted the family plate to pay his workmen. To-day the mighty industry furnishes employment to a majority of the workmen of three titles and a dozen coal and iron mining towns. The ships built from it, equipped with its steel, and armed with its cannon, are on all the seas, and wherever steel is used the name of Krupp is known. The capital of the firm now is about $60,000,000. It was in 1847 that Krupp scored his first real success, when he made a three-pounder muzzle-loading gun of cast steel. At the great London exhibition of 1851 he exhibited a solid flawless ingot of cast steel weighing two tons, thus establishing the fact that an important firm existed in Germany capable of turning out samples of excellent workmanship. The Essen works were everywhere spoken of and the output watched with the closest interest. The manufacture of weldless steel tires for railway vehicles was another invention which followed soon after.
The making of heavy ordnance, which has made the name of these works famous the world over, was not then a prominent part of the business. One of the first large orders he got for firearms came four years after the London exhibition, when Prussia gave him the contract for her new breech-loaders. The Khedive of Egypt followed this with a large order for war material, and Russia followed with contracts for large quantities of new weapons.
The Famous Krupp Guns.
While the Essen works were designed for general foundry work, the output for many years has consisted almost entirely of heavy guns; but it was not until 1846, twenty years after his father's death and thirty-six years after the founding of the firm, that Alfred Krupp began gunmaking. His first results were pieces of small calibre. As he became interested in the science, and as his discoveries in steel casting developed, the size and weight of the cannon he was able to construct increased steadily until these war monsters, which have become world-famous, became common occurrences in the Essen works.
The Krupp field gun is the basis of the mobile artillery of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy, Russia, and Turkey. Under the administration of Friedrich A. Krupp, Essen turned out the great pieces which guard Germany's fortresses and are mounted in her coast defenses. Krupp answered Krupp from the emplacements of Port Arthur against the siege batteries of Japan. And side by side with the instruments of war Essen placed a thousand and one steel products, illustrating Alfred Krupp's first and chief maxim: "No good steel without good iron," used in to-day's tools, machinery, railroads, and ships.
Krupp ordnance has roared all over the world. Some of the guns that fired at Dewey's squadron at Manila came from Essen. The siege guns used in the Franco-German war and in use at the bombardment of Paris were from this factory, and the Parisians' terror of them was not diminished by the memory of one of the Krupp masterpieces which had been exhibited in their city in 1867. It weighed 15,000 kilograms, and made away with $800 worth of powder and iron every time it was fired. After that war the Krupps refused to make cannon for France. As the business grew collateral industries were developed, and Essen, which had been a tiny village, expanded to a town of over 100,000 inhabitants, all dependent on the Krupp industries. Coal mines, coke ovens, iron mines, steamships, railroads, and blast-furnaces were bought. In 1872 Alfred Krupp owned 414 iron ore diggings, and when his son Friedrich died he owned over 500.
Upon Alfred's death, July 14, 1887, Friedrich A. Krupp became the head of the establishment. It has been said of him that he devoted himself to the financial, rather than the technical side of the business, but in 1902, at the annual meeting in London of the Iron and Steel Institute, the Bessemer gold medal for scientific research was awarded to him. This is one of the highest honors that can be paid to any man in the iron trade. It was given to him for his discoveries in the manufacture of armor plate. The son was thus following in the footsteps of his father.
Both Alfred and Friedrich A. Krupp declined titles. One was offered to the father by King William, afterward Emperor William I., in 1864, and William's son, the present Emperor, renewed the offer to Krupp's son. Neither would accept.
At the time of his death he was by far the richest man in Germany, and was called "the German Morgan." The Imperial income tax returns showed that in the year before his death he had a yearly income of between 20,000,000 marks ($4,760,000) and 21,000,000 marks. The second wealthiest man in the empire had an income of only 5,000,000 marks.
He directed in his will that the firm should be changed into a stock company. This was done, but Bertha Krupp, his daughter, who married Dr. von Behlen und von Halbach, holds all but four shares of this company. She is not only Germany's wealthiest woman, but its wealthiest subject and greatest taxpayer.
Hence she has been called "the Queen of Essen," and "Our Lady of the Cannon," and other romantic names. At the age of 18 there descended upon her the greatest industrial inheritance the world has yet known. She was 16 when her father died, and attained her majority in 1904.
In 1912 the Krupp centenary was celebrated. Although 1910 was the hundredth year after Friedrich Krupp's establishment of the works, 1912 was the centennial anniversary of the birth of Alfred Krupp, and the two events were commemorated in the latter year. The Kaiser and the most notable men in Germany, including many of royal rank, took part in the celebration.
Welfare Work at Essen.
A striking event of the jubilee week was the gift of $3,500,000 by the firm for charitable purposes. Three million marks, or $750,000, were given directly to laborers and officials, the latter receiving a month's salary and the former 5 to 100 marks, according to their length of service.
The remainder of the 14,000,000 marks was given in part as follows: Five million marks for investment to afford a fund to give the older employes a vacation with pay; 1,000,000 marks for a pension fund for officials, a million for women and children, two millions to Essen, with the provision that a million thereof must be used for a museum of art, half a million thereof for playgrounds, and the other half million for free beds in hospitals, &c., for all needy citizens of Essen, and two millions for athletic grounds and institutions, &c., for the army and marine.
Welfare work, however, was no new thing with the Krupps, who had become interested in the thing before the name was heard. Alfred Krupp had worked out for his employes a sick, death and unemployment benefit plan, which was used by Bismarck as the groundwork when the Iron Chancellor desired to make the beginnings of State compulsory insurance.
Essen is a city now of 150,000 population, and it owes its existence as a city to the Krupp works. But there is hardly a city in the world which is governed more in the communistic spirit than this. It is one of the very earliest places in which co-operative stores were established. They have been in existence there for over fifty years. "Bertha Krupp," says one writer, "may be the 'queen' of Essen, but her workmen conduct their own affairs without molestation. She limits her 'interference' to gifts of money, by which institutions of mutual good to the workmen may be established."
Schools, hospitals, and a convalescents' home have been established for the benefit of the Essen people and carried on under an elaborate system in which paternalism and co-operation each plays an important part.
The workmen's colonies, particularly the later ones designed under the supervision of Friedrich A. Krupp, are planned with a sense of beauty and variety. There is Friedrichshof, in which the old tenement structures have been remodeled; and Altenhof, the home of the retired workmen, a lovely environment of peaceful leisure for the aged.
The colony scheme was begun by Alfred Krupp in the sixties, when the rapidly increasing numbers of his workmen made it certain that unless steps were taken to arrange in a wise way for the social conditions surrounding them, undesirable congestion and its attendant squalor must arise.
The Krupp Model Colonies.
A sick fund had already been founded in 1853, a pension fund in 1856, and the co-operative stores in 1858. But it was not until 1863 that the first "model colony" was begun.
For twenty years Alfred Krupp aided his workmen in making their cottage homes the best in Germany, and upon his death in 1887 Friedrich A. Krupp took up the responsibility and bore it until his death in 1902. His widow then gave $250,000 to be devoted to the improvement of Essen, and when Bertha was married in 1906 it was reported that she and her husband would give an additional $400,000 to the benevolent institutions of the place.
The hospital, the baths and the schools, which were, begun over 25 years ago, have had libraries and gymnasiums added to them. In 1909 Bertha Krupp and her husband decided to erect at Essen, in memory of their baby son, a splendid maternity home, where the wives of the Krupp workmen should be cared for free of charge.
From the three men whom Friedrich Krupp employed, the 122 whom Alfred Krupp had in his employ 20 years after he look charge, the force working for the Krupps had grown to 50,000 at the death of Friedrich A. Krupp in 1902. The establishment now comprises 60,000 workmen and 6,750 engineers and clerks.
The works comprise five separate groups, the first of which is the Essen Steel Works, with proving grounds at Meppen. Tanger-Hütte, and Essen. This group includes the Milhofener-Hütte, with its four blast furnaces; the Herman-Hütte, with three blast furnaces, and the Sayner-Hütte, with coal and iron mines.
The second group is the Friedrich-Alfred Iron Works in Rheinhausen; the third, the Annen Steel Works; the fourth, the Gruson Machine Works, at Magdeburg-Buckau, and the fifth, the Germania shipyards, at Kiel.
The Essen Steel Works alone comprise some sixty-odd departments, covering an area of about 500 acres, and housing 7,200 machine tools, 17 roll trains, 187 hammers, 81 hydraulic presses, 397 steam boilers, and 569 steam engines, more than 2,200 electric motors, and 900 cranes.
Almost in the centre of the Essen Works stands the original Krupp factory and a family house, maintained intact, in accordance with the directions of Alfred Krupp. It bears this inscription:
Fifty years ago this cottage was the home of my parents. May none of our workmen have to go through the struggle which the building up of these works has cost us. The success which now so splendidly has rewarded our faith, our anxiety, and our efforts, was doubtful during twenty-five long years.
Let this example serve as an encouragement to others in difficulties. May it increase the respect for the many small houses and the great sorrows which often dwell in them.
The object of work must be mutual welfare; the work is blessed, then work is prayer. May all, from the highest to the lowest amongst us, work with the same earnestness to found and secure his own future success. That's my greatest wish.
Essen, February, 1873, twenty-five years after my assuming charge.
ALFRED KRUPP.
Mexico's Dark Outlook.
New York Times 100 years ago today, April 27, 1913:
Lack of money is, of course, not the cause but the result of the existing Governmental conditions in Mexico. The Treasury was solvent when Porfirio Diaz retired and Mexican securities were regarded with favor in the financial market. The finances were disordered during the so-called constitutional administration of Madero, and the soldier who is now Provisional President seems to be unable to borrow. London bankers have denied a report that they have any connection with a reported 5 per cent. loan at 88 1/2. There is room for doubt that any loan has been secured.
The condition of the Provisional Government is, indeed, perilous from every point of view. The retirement of Felix Diaz and de la Barra as candidates for the Presidency and Vice Presidency will naturally be regarded as an indication of their disaffection. Transportation of mails from Mexico by the land routes has practically ceased. Rebel bands have interrupted the railway service, and Vera Cruz has been nearly cut off from communication with the interior. Yet among all the opponents of the temporary Government there is not one man of sufficient ability and integrity to restore order out of chaos. A Government by commission is likely to succeed Huerta, a return to old Mexican practice, and revolution is likely to continue as before. The outlook was never darker.
Lack of money is, of course, not the cause but the result of the existing Governmental conditions in Mexico. The Treasury was solvent when Porfirio Diaz retired and Mexican securities were regarded with favor in the financial market. The finances were disordered during the so-called constitutional administration of Madero, and the soldier who is now Provisional President seems to be unable to borrow. London bankers have denied a report that they have any connection with a reported 5 per cent. loan at 88 1/2. There is room for doubt that any loan has been secured.
The condition of the Provisional Government is, indeed, perilous from every point of view. The retirement of Felix Diaz and de la Barra as candidates for the Presidency and Vice Presidency will naturally be regarded as an indication of their disaffection. Transportation of mails from Mexico by the land routes has practically ceased. Rebel bands have interrupted the railway service, and Vera Cruz has been nearly cut off from communication with the interior. Yet among all the opponents of the temporary Government there is not one man of sufficient ability and integrity to restore order out of chaos. A Government by commission is likely to succeed Huerta, a return to old Mexican practice, and revolution is likely to continue as before. The outlook was never darker.
United To Scare Nations For Profit.
New York Times 100 years ago today, April 27, 1913:
German, Austrian, and Belgian Factories in Secret Agreement, Says Liebnecht.
BACKED BY FRENCH MONEY
These and Other Concerns, He Tells the Reichstag, Lived on the Alarm They Could Cause.
BERLIN, April 26.— Dr. Karl Liebknecht, the Socialist leader, continued in the Reichstag to-day his revelations concerning the methods of armament concerns, which, he said, though living on international hostility, were run on internationalized capital.
He cited a contract existing between four leading small arms and ammunition factories, two in Germany one in Austria, and one in Belgium, principally backed by French money, by the terms of which, the Deputy alleged, an agreement had been reached to eliminate competition and guarantee mutual profits.
Dr. Liebknecht pointed out that German companies were selling arms to Russia and that another concern, largely capitalized with French money, was furnishing armor plate to Germany, and, all these companies, he asserted, were engineering war scares in order to make sure of getting contracts.
The Socialist leader to-day introduced the names of Emperor William and the German Crown Prince, mentioning that although the Vorwärts printed in 1910 a letter, showing that an attempt had been made by a German arms syndicate to obtain the publication in French newspaper of false news regarding the strengthening of the French Army with the object of causing reflex action on German opinion, the Emperor later did not hesitate to appoint Herr von Gontard, director of the syndicate, a life member in the Prussian House of Lords. Herr von Gontard is a son-in-law of Adolphus Busch of St. Louis.
Referring to the Crown Prince, Dr. Liebknecht recalled that the heir to the throne was demonstratively applauded in the Reichstag in 1911 during the campaign of a war clique against the German War Minister.
Gen. von Heeringen, Minister of War, replied briefly to Dr. Liebknecht. The Minister ignored the charges made by the Socialist-Deputy and declined to comment further upon the Krupp Incident, in which a representative of the gun firm was alleged to have bribed officials of the War Office to obtain information as to pending military contracts.
Gen. von Heeringen, in conclusion, asserted that the attacks of the Socialists on the War Minister were an honor to him, proving that he was doing his duty.
Hugo Haase, Socialist, characterized this as superciliousness. Herr Simon, another Socialist, shouted "Impudence!"
The Speaker called both these Deputies to order, after which the economists had no difficulty in getting the majority to pass the Budget Committee's amendments, doing away with the posts of commandants at Dresden, Darmstadt, Karlsruhe, and Stuttgart, and ten out of sixty-six Adjutants attached to the staffs of the German Princes.
The War Minister agreed to drop the ten Adjutants, promising a final arrangement of the matter in the next budget. It is understood that he will negotiate in the meantime with the Princes for a reduction of their staffs.
The House also voted to eliminate the standing appropriations for supplying Generals with horses, although Gen. von Heeringen warned the Deputies that it would make it difficult for officers without private means to accept promotion to a Generalship.
German, Austrian, and Belgian Factories in Secret Agreement, Says Liebnecht.
BACKED BY FRENCH MONEY
These and Other Concerns, He Tells the Reichstag, Lived on the Alarm They Could Cause.
BERLIN, April 26.— Dr. Karl Liebknecht, the Socialist leader, continued in the Reichstag to-day his revelations concerning the methods of armament concerns, which, he said, though living on international hostility, were run on internationalized capital.
He cited a contract existing between four leading small arms and ammunition factories, two in Germany one in Austria, and one in Belgium, principally backed by French money, by the terms of which, the Deputy alleged, an agreement had been reached to eliminate competition and guarantee mutual profits.
Dr. Liebknecht pointed out that German companies were selling arms to Russia and that another concern, largely capitalized with French money, was furnishing armor plate to Germany, and, all these companies, he asserted, were engineering war scares in order to make sure of getting contracts.
The Socialist leader to-day introduced the names of Emperor William and the German Crown Prince, mentioning that although the Vorwärts printed in 1910 a letter, showing that an attempt had been made by a German arms syndicate to obtain the publication in French newspaper of false news regarding the strengthening of the French Army with the object of causing reflex action on German opinion, the Emperor later did not hesitate to appoint Herr von Gontard, director of the syndicate, a life member in the Prussian House of Lords. Herr von Gontard is a son-in-law of Adolphus Busch of St. Louis.
Referring to the Crown Prince, Dr. Liebknecht recalled that the heir to the throne was demonstratively applauded in the Reichstag in 1911 during the campaign of a war clique against the German War Minister.
Gen. von Heeringen, Minister of War, replied briefly to Dr. Liebknecht. The Minister ignored the charges made by the Socialist-Deputy and declined to comment further upon the Krupp Incident, in which a representative of the gun firm was alleged to have bribed officials of the War Office to obtain information as to pending military contracts.
Gen. von Heeringen, in conclusion, asserted that the attacks of the Socialists on the War Minister were an honor to him, proving that he was doing his duty.
Hugo Haase, Socialist, characterized this as superciliousness. Herr Simon, another Socialist, shouted "Impudence!"
The Speaker called both these Deputies to order, after which the economists had no difficulty in getting the majority to pass the Budget Committee's amendments, doing away with the posts of commandants at Dresden, Darmstadt, Karlsruhe, and Stuttgart, and ten out of sixty-six Adjutants attached to the staffs of the German Princes.
The War Minister agreed to drop the ten Adjutants, promising a final arrangement of the matter in the next budget. It is understood that he will negotiate in the meantime with the Princes for a reduction of their staffs.
The House also voted to eliminate the standing appropriations for supplying Generals with horses, although Gen. von Heeringen warned the Deputies that it would make it difficult for officers without private means to accept promotion to a Generalship.
Opium Degrading The French Navy.
New York Times 100 years ago today, April 27, 1913:
M. Dorcieres's Revelations of Conditions at Toulon and Other Ports Shock France.
FEEBLE LAWS ARE BLAMED
Wide Extent of the Scourge Known to Authorities, Who Are Helpless to End the Evil.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
PARIS, April 26.— A great outcry has arisen throughout the country over the serious revelations made by the well-known writer and duelist, Rouzier Dorcières, concerning the hold that opium smoking has obtained on the French Navy in Southern seaports.
The facts told by, M. Dorcières, who went on a special mission for Le Matin, reveal a state of things which the Nation finds it difficult to realize, namely, that "opium is poisoning our navy." He states that in Toulon alone, the chief naval port, there are no less than 163 opium dens. In the same town he has seen officers in the houses of accommodating hostesses smoking as many as eighty or one hundred pipes in a single evening.
"I have seen," he says, "the degrading traffic of dealers in the drug, who infest our Mediterranean ports, in numberless deals, combinations, and calculations, and the loathsome influence of those who, having already poisoned themselves in the colonies, continue the same process in France, and not alone, since these are officers in command with power to lead other human beings to ruin."
All along the Mediterranean, on both sides, he says, at Marseilles, Hyères, and the Gulf of Juan, at Nice and Villafranca, at Ajaccio and Algiers, as well as at Toulon, and also at the Northern ports, flourishing opium dens are found with victims whose numbers are increasing with a rapidity that menaces the National life.
The police and civic authorities, it is stated, can do nothing. Under the present laws only dealing in opium is a penal offense. To smoke it, to induce others to smoke privately or for money, or to possess a large stock of the drug is perfectly legal.
"When one thinks," says M. Dorcières, "that the Chinese Republic, by a new law, puts to death any person smoking opium in that country, and we Frenchmen, who regard ourselves as the most intelligent and best-policed Nation of the West, allow with folded arms French brains to be ruined by this drug, one is rendered speechless.
"A customs official can make a search in any house for a bottle of spirits that is undeclared, or for a smuggled 1-cent box of matches, but the French code is impotent before the importation of narcotics. Against opium, ether, morphine, hashish, and cocaine, manufactured and consumed indoors, nothing can be done. All the police are able to do is to arrest some waiter or messenger boy who is caught selling the stuff."
At Toulon, he says, a town which was formerly bright and happy, social life is rapidly coming to a standstill. The Mayor of the city says that it is no longer what it was.
"The whole outward life of the town seems to be dying. Trade and manufactures, fashion and luxury, all that goes to make the wealth of a city, have gone under in the crisis brought about by the introduction of opium. In place of the gayety which Toulon formerly possessed, under the influence of innumerable officers and soldiers, returned from distant campaigns to enjoy themselves on French soil, there is now an alarming torpor and general uneasiness.
"Sailors who disembark nowadays shut themselves up in dens which have more to do with the pathology of nervous diseases than our radiant climate and hospitable life."
M. Dorcières points out as an extraordinary paradox that this terrible scourge is actually one of the principal State manufactures in France's greatest colony, Indo-China, where it is sold under a State guarantee as freely as tobacco is here and contributes more than one-sixth of the entire revenue of the country.
According to the latest figures, he says, the annual production of opium in that colony is over 260,000 pounds, bringing an average revenue of $2,102,000. Through smuggling, however, the consumption is, at least, double that shown by the official figures. M. Dorcières says that the dens of Marseilles, Toulon, and other towns are supplied by a syndicate of smugglers, who even pay the fines of their agents when caught redhanded.
Owing to the strong public feeling in this matter, it is thought certain that the Government will be compelled in a short time to take definite steps to penalize not only the traffic but the practice of opium smoking, together with the consumption of other drugs, now fashionable in the fast quarters of Paris.
Other authorities at Toulon are adding their testimony to that of the Mayor regarding the evil that is corrupting this leading French port. Admiral Beltué, the Maritime Prefect of the city, says that the effectiveness of the navy as a national defense is menaced by the drug, and, cost what it may, a curb must be put on the pernicious influence which is spreading through the younger portion of the navy.
He says he constantly receives reports of unabashed opium smoking on board ship, while most of the members of the training ship Jeanne d'Arc, which contains the pick of the cadets of the navy, are now habitual visitors to the Toulon opium dens. Meanwhile, he adds, the naval authorities are powerless to restrict the evil as long they are not backed by the law.
These views are indorsed by the Civil Sub-Prefect of Toulon, who says that many times there has been brought to the attention of his superiors the terrible danger that menaces not only the naval and military, but also the civilian population. The sole remedy, he says, is an act of Parliament making it a penal offense to allow opium to be smoked in private houses.
The traffic which now goes on is so profitable to smugglers, he states, that the conviction of an occasional waiter or messenger who is discovered passing the forbidden drug has not the smallest effect on discouraging others in the same trade.
Deputy Charles de Boucq announces that on the reopening of Parliament he will interpellate the Minister of Marine as to what steps he purposes "to take to wipe out the evil which threatens to make the habit of opium smoking contracted by officers general throughout the navy."
That not a moment may be lost, M. de Boucq is also preparing a bill which he hopes to rush through to stamp out the evil by making all who deal in opium, have it in their possession, or carry on smoking dens, liable to two years' imprisonment for the first and five for the second offense. The bill adds that when the offender is a civil, naval, or military official conviction shall deprive him of his position.
M. Dorcieres's Revelations of Conditions at Toulon and Other Ports Shock France.
FEEBLE LAWS ARE BLAMED
Wide Extent of the Scourge Known to Authorities, Who Are Helpless to End the Evil.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
PARIS, April 26.— A great outcry has arisen throughout the country over the serious revelations made by the well-known writer and duelist, Rouzier Dorcières, concerning the hold that opium smoking has obtained on the French Navy in Southern seaports.
The facts told by, M. Dorcières, who went on a special mission for Le Matin, reveal a state of things which the Nation finds it difficult to realize, namely, that "opium is poisoning our navy." He states that in Toulon alone, the chief naval port, there are no less than 163 opium dens. In the same town he has seen officers in the houses of accommodating hostesses smoking as many as eighty or one hundred pipes in a single evening.
"I have seen," he says, "the degrading traffic of dealers in the drug, who infest our Mediterranean ports, in numberless deals, combinations, and calculations, and the loathsome influence of those who, having already poisoned themselves in the colonies, continue the same process in France, and not alone, since these are officers in command with power to lead other human beings to ruin."
All along the Mediterranean, on both sides, he says, at Marseilles, Hyères, and the Gulf of Juan, at Nice and Villafranca, at Ajaccio and Algiers, as well as at Toulon, and also at the Northern ports, flourishing opium dens are found with victims whose numbers are increasing with a rapidity that menaces the National life.
The police and civic authorities, it is stated, can do nothing. Under the present laws only dealing in opium is a penal offense. To smoke it, to induce others to smoke privately or for money, or to possess a large stock of the drug is perfectly legal.
"When one thinks," says M. Dorcières, "that the Chinese Republic, by a new law, puts to death any person smoking opium in that country, and we Frenchmen, who regard ourselves as the most intelligent and best-policed Nation of the West, allow with folded arms French brains to be ruined by this drug, one is rendered speechless.
"A customs official can make a search in any house for a bottle of spirits that is undeclared, or for a smuggled 1-cent box of matches, but the French code is impotent before the importation of narcotics. Against opium, ether, morphine, hashish, and cocaine, manufactured and consumed indoors, nothing can be done. All the police are able to do is to arrest some waiter or messenger boy who is caught selling the stuff."
At Toulon, he says, a town which was formerly bright and happy, social life is rapidly coming to a standstill. The Mayor of the city says that it is no longer what it was.
"The whole outward life of the town seems to be dying. Trade and manufactures, fashion and luxury, all that goes to make the wealth of a city, have gone under in the crisis brought about by the introduction of opium. In place of the gayety which Toulon formerly possessed, under the influence of innumerable officers and soldiers, returned from distant campaigns to enjoy themselves on French soil, there is now an alarming torpor and general uneasiness.
"Sailors who disembark nowadays shut themselves up in dens which have more to do with the pathology of nervous diseases than our radiant climate and hospitable life."
M. Dorcières points out as an extraordinary paradox that this terrible scourge is actually one of the principal State manufactures in France's greatest colony, Indo-China, where it is sold under a State guarantee as freely as tobacco is here and contributes more than one-sixth of the entire revenue of the country.
According to the latest figures, he says, the annual production of opium in that colony is over 260,000 pounds, bringing an average revenue of $2,102,000. Through smuggling, however, the consumption is, at least, double that shown by the official figures. M. Dorcières says that the dens of Marseilles, Toulon, and other towns are supplied by a syndicate of smugglers, who even pay the fines of their agents when caught redhanded.
Owing to the strong public feeling in this matter, it is thought certain that the Government will be compelled in a short time to take definite steps to penalize not only the traffic but the practice of opium smoking, together with the consumption of other drugs, now fashionable in the fast quarters of Paris.
Other authorities at Toulon are adding their testimony to that of the Mayor regarding the evil that is corrupting this leading French port. Admiral Beltué, the Maritime Prefect of the city, says that the effectiveness of the navy as a national defense is menaced by the drug, and, cost what it may, a curb must be put on the pernicious influence which is spreading through the younger portion of the navy.
He says he constantly receives reports of unabashed opium smoking on board ship, while most of the members of the training ship Jeanne d'Arc, which contains the pick of the cadets of the navy, are now habitual visitors to the Toulon opium dens. Meanwhile, he adds, the naval authorities are powerless to restrict the evil as long they are not backed by the law.
These views are indorsed by the Civil Sub-Prefect of Toulon, who says that many times there has been brought to the attention of his superiors the terrible danger that menaces not only the naval and military, but also the civilian population. The sole remedy, he says, is an act of Parliament making it a penal offense to allow opium to be smoked in private houses.
The traffic which now goes on is so profitable to smugglers, he states, that the conviction of an occasional waiter or messenger who is discovered passing the forbidden drug has not the smallest effect on discouraging others in the same trade.
Deputy Charles de Boucq announces that on the reopening of Parliament he will interpellate the Minister of Marine as to what steps he purposes "to take to wipe out the evil which threatens to make the habit of opium smoking contracted by officers general throughout the navy."
That not a moment may be lost, M. de Boucq is also preparing a bill which he hopes to rush through to stamp out the evil by making all who deal in opium, have it in their possession, or carry on smoking dens, liable to two years' imprisonment for the first and five for the second offense. The bill adds that when the offender is a civil, naval, or military official conviction shall deprive him of his position.
Clamor For War Pictures.
New York Times 100 years ago today, April 27, 1913:
German Jingo Press Repent Suppression of von Werner's Paintings.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
BERLIN, April 26.— The jingo press are full of indignation over the official pressure brought to bear on Anton von Werner. President of the Royal Academy of Art, not to display his celebrated paintings dealing with the Franco-Prussian war at the coining Kaiser jubilee art exhibition.
Werner himself says that the order, which came direct from the German Government, was issued so as not to offend French susceptibilities in the present serious suite of Franco-German relations.
The pictures deal vividly with incidents illustrating the humiliation of the French and Napoleon III. at the hands of Bismarck, Moltke, and Emperor William I. The jingo journals describe the Government's action as a mortifying knuckling to France.
German Jingo Press Repent Suppression of von Werner's Paintings.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
BERLIN, April 26.— The jingo press are full of indignation over the official pressure brought to bear on Anton von Werner. President of the Royal Academy of Art, not to display his celebrated paintings dealing with the Franco-Prussian war at the coining Kaiser jubilee art exhibition.
Werner himself says that the order, which came direct from the German Government, was issued so as not to offend French susceptibilities in the present serious suite of Franco-German relations.
The pictures deal vividly with incidents illustrating the humiliation of the French and Napoleon III. at the hands of Bismarck, Moltke, and Emperor William I. The jingo journals describe the Government's action as a mortifying knuckling to France.
Armament Scandal May Be Hushed Up.
New York Times 100 years ago today, April 27, 1913:
Germans Disgusted Over "Milk and Water" Functions of the Reichstag Inquiry Board.
THE KAISER IS MORTIFIED
Krupps Likely to Lose His Friendship — War Minister von Heeringen Believed to be Doomed.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
BERLIN, April 26.— Will the armament scandal end in a miserable and ineffective fizzle? That is the question of the hour in Germany. The affair of the Krupps' alleged bribery of the War Office and the Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabrik's attempt to manufacture a war-scare in the French press, which staggered the empire a week ago, already shows signs of fading into a police court episode.
To a large extent the scandal has already disappeared from the columns of the newspapers. The Reichstag is about to adjourn for the Whitsuntide recess, and when it reassembles on May 26, predictions are already freely made, the armament revelations will be more or less forgotten.
The country's hope of probing them to the bottom was dashed by the refusal of the Reichstag to clothe its own Commission of Inquiry with judicial powers of the far-reaching extent of those enjoyed by the Pujo Money Trust Commission in Washington. The Government's spokesmen assured the house that such powers could not legally be conferred on a parliamentary commission.
The spokesmen of the Conservative and Catholic Parties, who had earlier in the week shouted themselves rod in the face with indignation over the alleged corruption of the Krupps and their confrères, meekly supported the Government's view. Only the Social Democrats insisted that the commission should be armed with authority to summon witnesses, compel testimony, and drag the truth from the most reluctant quarters.
The Frankforter Zeitung, the great organ of the commercial and financial classes, summarizes the popular disgust over the milk and water functions with which the Reichstag's Commission of Inquiry is now compelled to content itself.
"The armament scandals are so gross a case of corruption," says the Zeitung, "that the hour is ripe to break the precedent of ordinary commission practices. In more progressive countries parliamentary commissions of inquiry have long been clothed with judicial prerogatives, because they are perfectly natural and obvious. Unless we invoke them the investigation of the armament scandals will inevitably be nebulous. The interests will divulge a lot of glittering generalities and meaningless information, and conceal the essentials."
However the scandals eventually end, they have undoubtedly shaken German political life to its foundations. The Kaiser is known to be angered and mortified beyond expression. Unless the Krupps can clear their name, a breach in the longstanding and intimate friendship between them and the Emperor is almost inevitable.
The position of Gen. von Heeringen, the Minister of War, is believed to be shattered. It is not German tradition to retire a Cabinet Minister under fire. Von Heeringen, therefore, will probably remain in office until the Army bill is enacted into law, but the general impression is that he must go. The Lokal-Anzeiger, obviously acting on behalf of the influential military clique, is waging war against von Heeringen's connection with the Krupp scandals.
The prominence and fame of the Krupps have resulted in concentrating public attention at home and abroad on their alleged misdeeds in attempting to corrupt officials of the War Office, but German commentators agree that the offense of the Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabrik in inspiring fake French military news is really far more reprehensible.
An incriminating letter which has been revealed bears the name of Dr. von Gontard, one of the managing directors of the Fabrik and son-in-law of Adolphus Busch, the St. Louis brewer. Dr. von Gontard was elevated to the Prussian peerage by the Kaiser in 1911. He and his American wife have, in recent years, been prominent in the aristocratic social set in which the Crown Prince and Princess are leaders.
The Berliner Tageblatt, in reviewing the career of von Gontard's company, points out that the very year it attempted to manipulate French public opinion the company increased its annual dividend from 20 to 32 per cent., while the price of its shares rose from 290 to 575.
One of the Directors of the company. Prince Guido Henckel von Donnersmarck, sometimes called the German Carnegie, the multi-millionaire Silesian coal and iron magnate, is a warm personal friend of the Kaiser, who often visits the Prince's country home.
Germans Disgusted Over "Milk and Water" Functions of the Reichstag Inquiry Board.
THE KAISER IS MORTIFIED
Krupps Likely to Lose His Friendship — War Minister von Heeringen Believed to be Doomed.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
BERLIN, April 26.— Will the armament scandal end in a miserable and ineffective fizzle? That is the question of the hour in Germany. The affair of the Krupps' alleged bribery of the War Office and the Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabrik's attempt to manufacture a war-scare in the French press, which staggered the empire a week ago, already shows signs of fading into a police court episode.
To a large extent the scandal has already disappeared from the columns of the newspapers. The Reichstag is about to adjourn for the Whitsuntide recess, and when it reassembles on May 26, predictions are already freely made, the armament revelations will be more or less forgotten.
The country's hope of probing them to the bottom was dashed by the refusal of the Reichstag to clothe its own Commission of Inquiry with judicial powers of the far-reaching extent of those enjoyed by the Pujo Money Trust Commission in Washington. The Government's spokesmen assured the house that such powers could not legally be conferred on a parliamentary commission.
The spokesmen of the Conservative and Catholic Parties, who had earlier in the week shouted themselves rod in the face with indignation over the alleged corruption of the Krupps and their confrères, meekly supported the Government's view. Only the Social Democrats insisted that the commission should be armed with authority to summon witnesses, compel testimony, and drag the truth from the most reluctant quarters.
The Frankforter Zeitung, the great organ of the commercial and financial classes, summarizes the popular disgust over the milk and water functions with which the Reichstag's Commission of Inquiry is now compelled to content itself.
"The armament scandals are so gross a case of corruption," says the Zeitung, "that the hour is ripe to break the precedent of ordinary commission practices. In more progressive countries parliamentary commissions of inquiry have long been clothed with judicial prerogatives, because they are perfectly natural and obvious. Unless we invoke them the investigation of the armament scandals will inevitably be nebulous. The interests will divulge a lot of glittering generalities and meaningless information, and conceal the essentials."
However the scandals eventually end, they have undoubtedly shaken German political life to its foundations. The Kaiser is known to be angered and mortified beyond expression. Unless the Krupps can clear their name, a breach in the longstanding and intimate friendship between them and the Emperor is almost inevitable.
The position of Gen. von Heeringen, the Minister of War, is believed to be shattered. It is not German tradition to retire a Cabinet Minister under fire. Von Heeringen, therefore, will probably remain in office until the Army bill is enacted into law, but the general impression is that he must go. The Lokal-Anzeiger, obviously acting on behalf of the influential military clique, is waging war against von Heeringen's connection with the Krupp scandals.
The prominence and fame of the Krupps have resulted in concentrating public attention at home and abroad on their alleged misdeeds in attempting to corrupt officials of the War Office, but German commentators agree that the offense of the Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabrik in inspiring fake French military news is really far more reprehensible.
An incriminating letter which has been revealed bears the name of Dr. von Gontard, one of the managing directors of the Fabrik and son-in-law of Adolphus Busch, the St. Louis brewer. Dr. von Gontard was elevated to the Prussian peerage by the Kaiser in 1911. He and his American wife have, in recent years, been prominent in the aristocratic social set in which the Crown Prince and Princess are leaders.
The Berliner Tageblatt, in reviewing the career of von Gontard's company, points out that the very year it attempted to manipulate French public opinion the company increased its annual dividend from 20 to 32 per cent., while the price of its shares rose from 290 to 575.
One of the Directors of the company. Prince Guido Henckel von Donnersmarck, sometimes called the German Carnegie, the multi-millionaire Silesian coal and iron magnate, is a warm personal friend of the Kaiser, who often visits the Prince's country home.
Navy Teaches Use Of Oxygen Helmet.
New York Times 100 years ago today, April 27, 1913:
Officers Receiving Instruction Here for Rescue Work in Oil-Burning Ships.
SUBMARINES TO HAVE THEM
For Accidents Under Water — Men from Arkansas and Delaware Now at Navy Yard.
The officers of the United States Atlantic Fleet below the rank of Lieutenant Commander are being sent to the New York Navy Yard in small detachments for instruction in the use of oxygen safety helmets, such as are now used by the attachés of the Federal Bureau of Mines in their rescue work. The officers are being sent from each of the battleships as well as from the torpedo boat destroyers and submarines. The principal reason behind the new departure is the introduction of oil as a fuel into the navy, although a knowledge of the use and advantages of the oxygen helmet would also come in handy in the event of submarine accidents, bunker fires, and powder explosions in turrets and magazines.
Oil is now the principal fuel on all of the new torpedo boat destroyers, and the new superdreadnoughts New York, Texas, Oklahoma, and Nevada are also being fitted with oil-burning apparatus. Within a few years, it is believed, a majority of the vessels of the United States Navy will be oil burners, and it is for the purpose of having the officers and men ready to handle troubles in which the fumes of oil play an important part that Chief Ryan has been sent to New York to teach the officers how they can use the oxygen helmet.
Officers of the navy are also confident that the helmet will prove of great use in the event of accidents in submarines when they are under water. In fighting coal-bunker fires and in steam-filled boiler rooms following boiler explosions the helmet will be just as useful, in the opinion of those in charge of the instruction.
Lieut. Commander Taylor, the senior aid at the navy yard, said yesterday that eventually each ship would have its quota of officers trained in the use of the oxygen helmet.
The officers of the superdreadnoughts Arkansas and Delaware are now under instruction. When they complete their course officers from the other dreadnoughts will be detailed for the instruction by Rear Admiral C. J. Badger, the new commander in chief of the Atlantic Fleet.
Officers Receiving Instruction Here for Rescue Work in Oil-Burning Ships.
SUBMARINES TO HAVE THEM
For Accidents Under Water — Men from Arkansas and Delaware Now at Navy Yard.
The officers of the United States Atlantic Fleet below the rank of Lieutenant Commander are being sent to the New York Navy Yard in small detachments for instruction in the use of oxygen safety helmets, such as are now used by the attachés of the Federal Bureau of Mines in their rescue work. The officers are being sent from each of the battleships as well as from the torpedo boat destroyers and submarines. The principal reason behind the new departure is the introduction of oil as a fuel into the navy, although a knowledge of the use and advantages of the oxygen helmet would also come in handy in the event of submarine accidents, bunker fires, and powder explosions in turrets and magazines.
Oil is now the principal fuel on all of the new torpedo boat destroyers, and the new superdreadnoughts New York, Texas, Oklahoma, and Nevada are also being fitted with oil-burning apparatus. Within a few years, it is believed, a majority of the vessels of the United States Navy will be oil burners, and it is for the purpose of having the officers and men ready to handle troubles in which the fumes of oil play an important part that Chief Ryan has been sent to New York to teach the officers how they can use the oxygen helmet.
Officers of the navy are also confident that the helmet will prove of great use in the event of accidents in submarines when they are under water. In fighting coal-bunker fires and in steam-filled boiler rooms following boiler explosions the helmet will be just as useful, in the opinion of those in charge of the instruction.
Lieut. Commander Taylor, the senior aid at the navy yard, said yesterday that eventually each ship would have its quota of officers trained in the use of the oxygen helmet.
The officers of the superdreadnoughts Arkansas and Delaware are now under instruction. When they complete their course officers from the other dreadnoughts will be detailed for the instruction by Rear Admiral C. J. Badger, the new commander in chief of the Atlantic Fleet.
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