Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 13, Number 166, Decatur, Adams County, 10 July 1915 — Page 1

Volume XIII. Number 166.

GERMANY_SENDS REPLY COMPLETE TEXT OF ANSWER TO THE AMERICAN NOTE IS FRIENDLY BUT SUGGESTS NEW INTERNATIONAL RULE OF LAW ——— ——

BERLIN, July 9, 9 p. m.—Via Loni don, July 10.-2:37 a. m.—Germany’s I reply to the American note regarding the sinking of the Lusitania and sub- | marine warfare, which was delivered I to James W. Gerard, the American I ambassador, last night, follows: Berlin, July 8. The undersigned has the honor to I make the following reply to his exI cellency, Ambassador Gerard, to the I note of the tenth untimo the imI pairment of American interests by I the German submarine war. The Im- ■ perial government learned with satis- ■ faction from the note how ernestly ■ the government of the United States ■is concerned in seeing the principles ■of humanity realized in the present ■ war. Also this appeal finds ready echo ■in Germany and the imperial governHment is quite willing to permit its ■ statements and decisions in the preBscnt case to be governed by the prinMciplcs of humanity just as it has done O always. I “The imperial government welcomed ith gratitude when the American ■Government in the note of May 15 it■eolf recalled that Germany had alB&rays permitted itself to be governed b the principles of progress and hu■p’n.ntty in dealing with the law of gjginaritiine war. Since the time when I|Bi ederick the Great negotiated with John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and (S'Thomas Jefferson the treaty of friend■•hip and commerce of September 9. ■ 1785, between Prussia and the republic of the west. Germany and American ■ Statesmen have, in fact, always stood together in the struggle for the freedom of the seas and for the protection Os peaceable trade. In the international proceedings which since have conducted for the regulation of the laws of maritime war Germany and America have jointly advocated progressive principles, especially the abolishment of the right of capture at tea and the protection of the interests of neutrals. ■ “Even at the beginning of the present war the German government immediately declared its willingness, in response to proposals of the American government, to ratify the Declaration of London, and thereby subject Itself in the use of its naval forces to all the restrictions provided therein in favor of neutrals. Germany, lik> wise, has been always tenacious of the priciple that war should be conducted against the armed and organized forces of an enemy country, but that the enemy civilian population must be spared as far as possible from the measures of war. The imperial government cherishes the definite hope that some way will be found when peace is concluded, or perhaps earlier, to regulate the law of maritime war in a manner guaranteeing the freedom of the seas, and will welcome it with gratitude and satisfaction if it can work hand in hand with the American government on that occasion. "If in the present war the principles which should be the ideal of the future have been traversed more and more, the longer its duration, the * German government has not been guilty therein. It is known to the American government how Germany’s adversaries, by completely paralyzing peaceable traffic between Germany and neutral countries, have aimed fiom the very beginning and with increasing lack of consideration at the destruction, not so much of the armed forces as the life of the German nation, repudiating in doing so all the rules of international law and disregarding all rights of neutrals. "On November 3, 1914, England declared the North Sea a war area and fiy planting poorly anchored mines and by the stoppage and capture of vessels made passage extremely dangerous and difficult for neutral shipping, actually blockading neutral coasts and ports, contrary to all international law. Long before the beginning of submarine war England practically completely intercepted legitimate neutral navigation to Germany also. Thus Germany was driven to a submarine war to trade. "On November 14, 1914, the English premier declared in the house of

DECATUR DAI IA DEMOCRAT

i- commons that it was one of England's s principal tasks to prevent food for g the German population from reaching ( Germany via neutral ports. Since ! March 1, England has been taking i from neutral ships without further formality all merchandise proceeding to Germany, as well as all merchandise coming from Germany, even when neutral property. Just as it was also with the Boers, the German people is now to be given the choice of perishing from starvation with its women and children or of relinquishing its independence . "While our enemies thus loudly and ( openly proclaimed war without mercy . until our utter destruction was accomplished. we were conducting a war in self-defense for our national existence and for the sake of peace of an assured permanence. We have been obliged to adopt a submarine warfare to meet the declared intentions of our enemies and the method of warfare adopted by them in contravention of international law. "When all its efforts in principle to protect neutral life and property from damage as much as possible, the German government recognized unreservedly in its memorandum of February 4 that the interests of neutrals might suffer from the submarine warfare. However, the American government will also understand and appreciate that in the fight for existence which has been forced upon Germany by its adversaries and announced by them, it is the sacred duty of the imperial government to do all within its power to protect and save the lives of German subjects. If the imperial government were derelict in ( these its duties it would be guilty before God and history of the violation of those principles of highest humanity which are the foundation of every national existence. i “The case of the Lusitania shows with horrible clearness to what jeopardizing of human lives the manner of conducting war employed by our adversaries leads. In the most direct contradiction of international law, all distinctions between merchantmen and war vessels have been obliterated by the order to British merchantmen lo arm themselves and to ram submarines, and the promise of rewards ■ theraior, and neutrals who use merchantmen as travelers thereby have been exposed in an increasing degree to all the dangers of war. “If the commander of the German submarine which destroyed the Lusitania had ■used the crew and passengers to take to the boats before tiring a torpedo this would have meant the sure destruction of his own vessel. After the experiences in sinking much smaller and less seaworthy vessels it was to be expected that a mighty ship like the Lusitania would remain above water long enough even liter the torpedoing to permit passengers to enter the ship's boats. Cirumstances of a very peculiar kind, especially the presence on board of large quantities of highly explosive materials defeated this expectation, in addition it may be pointed out that if the Lusitania had been spared, thousands of cases of munitions would have been sent to Germany’s enemies ind thereby thousands of German mothers and children robbed of breadwinners. “In the spirit of friendship wherewith the German nation has been imbued towards the Union and its inhabitants since the earliest days of its existence; the imperial government will always be-ready to do all it can during the present war to prevent the jeopardizing of lives of American citizens. The imperial government, therefore, repeats the assurances that American ships will not be hindered in the prosecution of legitimate shipping and the lives of American citnzens In neutral vessels shall not be placed in jeopardy. "In order to exclude any unforseen dangers to American passenger steamers made possible in view of the conduct of maritime war by Geri many's adversaries, German submarines will be instructed to permit the i free and safe passage of such pasI (Continued on Page 2.)

Decatur, Indiana, Saturday Evening, July 10, 1915.

'TWO ENTRANCES For Chautauqua Grounds—- ■ One at Each End of the Big Field East of City FEW TICKETS YET Hoped Those Who Pledgee to Take Them Will Do So by Monday Morning

The Chautauqua tent will be located on E. 11. Ahr’s field, which is the same location as last year. Provision has been made which will make it much better for the crowds leaving the grounds. The gates at the east end of the grounds will be opened, which will permit better access to the road. There remain a few tickets which may be secured at the $2.50 price. It is hoped that these will be taken up before the opening to assure the local guarantors of the obligation which they are under in bringing the Chautauqua again to Decatur, On Monday morning at 9 o’clock a meeting will be held at the People’s Loan & Trust company bank to make a complete check on all tickets. At this time the local guarantors are asked to be present so that they may know the exact conditions of the ticket sale, and to help in any way to further the success of the Chautauqua. The tent and equipment will arrive from Mt. Sterling, Ky., tonight. This will give ample time for the erection of the big top. The booster parade was greatly enjoyed by the children this afteAoon. The two hundred Chautauqua hats were in great demand and did not last long. A great number of the people who pledged for tickets last year have not redeemed their contract. It is hoped that this will lie done before Monday noon so that the ticket sellers will not need to make a further call upon them. o THE COURT NEWS Two New Cases Filed In Circuit Court—Judgment Rendered IN NEWISCOMBE CASE Mattie Young Appeals to Appellate Court—New Trial Asked Attorney L. WaltefW for Otto F. Hildebrand filed a new suit in the circuit court against John H. Elick, to foreclose mortagage, demand SISOO. Report of sale of personal property and assignment Oi tease, as made by Samuel H. Teepie, administrator of the Ottis 0. Juday estate, was approved. In the estate of Mary E. Pine, Z. T. Aspy administrator, made report which court approved. Order for deed by the administrator to Hardison was vacated, and the administrator discharged. Distribution was ordered and reported, and the petition to turn over the sum of $90.30 each for Clarence and Albert Moser, to the clerk of the court, was sustained. The administrator was discharged. Heller, Sutton & Heller are attorneys for Charles A. Stickney Company in a suit against The Shafer Hardware Company, on account, demand $750. In the case of Bauer Company vs. Runyon, Engeler Company, a motion was made for a new trial. The motion of the defendant in the case of Fannie Newiscombe vs. Mattie E. Young, for a new trial, was overruled and the court rendered judg ment on the verdict of the jury for $25 and costs in favor of the plaintiff. The defendant was granted an appeal to the appellate court. Appeal bond was fixed at S3OO, with thirty days to file same. Sixty days were given to file (Continued on Page 2.)

LIMITED TRAIN HOLD-UP Montgomery, Ala., July 10,—(Special to Dally Democrat) Posses scouring the woods between here and Greenville, where four masked men held UP the Izmisville & Nashville New York-New’ Orleans limited at 2 o’clock today, arrested five suspects within seven hours of the robbery. ’ Conductor Phil Mcßae, found dead sit- j ting upright in one of the cars and first reported to have been shot to death, was found to have died of J heart disease, death probably having resulting indirectly from the shock of the attack. There were reports currant here and at New Orleans to the

effect that a large amount of mom y 1 had been taken from the mail and 5 express cars. One report named the • amount at $200,000. No confirmation i of these reports could be had. > o FINE MOTOR TRIP By Automobile of 1500 i Miles Will be Taken by Mr. and Mrs. Bernstein. _ ( i LEAVE TONIGHT 1 1 To be Accompanied to Chi- < cago by Mr. and* Mrs. Burt Hunsicker i

Mr. and Mrs. I. Bernstein of the Bernstein store, will leave this evening on an extended motor trip that will prove very delightful. They expect to be gone two weeks and during that time will cover fully 1500 miles. From here they will go to Chicago and will be accompanied there by Mr. and Mrs. Burt Hunsicker of this city, who will remain until Monday. From Chicago Mr. and Mrs. Bernstein will go to Spring Valley, 111., where they will visit with his parents, and on their return will stop at South Bend for a visit with Mrs. Bernstein’s parents. During their absence, Mr. Bernstein’s brother, Simon Bernstein of Spring Valley, will be in charge of the store here. o ACCIDENTAL DROWNING. Coroner D. D. Clark gives as his verdict that Homer, aged two, son of Mr. an<j Mrs. Levi Frauhiger. of French township, came to his death yesterday afternoon by accidenaal drowning. The babe was playing about the water tank, and standing on a cement platform around the tank, when he fllll in afnd was drowned. There was only about twenty-six inches of water in the tank. GETWORDSREADY Soncone Will Get Chautauqua Ticket Free--Contest Closes Tuesday Noon IT’S EASY FOR YOU Make as Many Words as You Can from Letters in “Redpath Chautauqua.” How many words can you figure out from the letters in these two words — “Redpath Chautauqua?” It will prove an interesting pastime for you to find out and besides the advance manager of the Chautauqua is offering an adult's ticket to the person who wins the contest and a child’s ticket to the second person. The contest closes at 12 o’clock Tuesday noon, by which time you must have your list of words, name and address at either the Democrat office or the Herald. The only rule is that you can use the letters only as often as they appear in the words “Redpath Chautauqua.” Got busy and win the ticket. It’s easy and interesting and costs you nothing to try. A little effort may secure for you an extra ticket for the biggest week of entertainment ever offered in this locality.

IF. A. DIBBLE DEAD Former Decatur Drayman Died at Ohio City Friday Morning—lll Long BEDFAST 14 WEEKS Lived Here Until Ten Years Ago—Funeral Will be Held Monday

Mrs. John Brothers of this city has received word of the death of her uncle. Frank A. Dibble, aged fiftyseven years, a former Decatur drayman, who died Friday morning at 9:30 at his home at Ohio City. Mr. Dibble lived in this city, where ne conducted a dray line until ten years ago. After leaving here he moved to a farm, where he lived two years and then went to Ohio City to take care of his mother, Mrs. Vesta Dibble, aged eighty-seven, who resides •there. While in Ohio City, Mr. Dibble had charge of a mail route. He had been ill long and was bedfast fourteen weeks of tumor of the stomach. He leaves the following children: Vesta, w’ife of Will Hoagland; Ola. wife of Dr. McGeake; Alta, wife of Charles Willet; Zoa, wife of Harry Hempstead. Dr. Harry Dibble and John Dibble, all living in Detroit. Mich., and Miss Ethel, at home. The widow and the mother are also living. He has the following brothers and sis-

, ters: Mrs. John Archer, Ohio City; Alice, who is married and lives in the west; Bruce Dibble, Pueblo, Col.; C. 11. Dibble, Ashland. Ohio; Ada Rob ertson. Van Wert. Ohio, The deceased was a highly respect ed man and well liked here, where he will be well remembered. The funeral will be held Monday afternoon at 1 o’clock at a church in Ohio City, A niece, Mrs. John Brothers, and a nephew, Bruce Dibble, with their fam ilies, of this city, will leave tomorrow to attend the funeral. o MANY ARE BLIND United States Is Home of 57,272 Blind Persons According to Statistics TOTAL IN WORLD Numbers 2.390,000 —New Mexico and Nevada Has Greater Number in U. S. Washington, D. C„ July 7. —The Census Bureau made public to-day a bulletin stating that the census ol 1910 showed 57,272 blind persons in the United States, or 62.3 for each 100,000 of total population. The total number of blind persons in the world is roughly estimated at 2,390,000. The only countries and provinces in which the ratios of the blind to the total population are lower than that for the United States (62.3 per 100,000) are Canada, where the ratio was 43.5 in 1910. Denmark, 52.7 in 1911; Germany, 60.9 in 1900; Netherlands, 46.3 in 1909; New South Wales, 61.4 in 1911; Western Australia, 50.3 in 1911; and New Zealand, 47.8 in 1911. In the United States blindness is most prevalent in New Mexico and Nevada, in which states the ratios of blind to total population in 1910 were 169.3 to 100,000 and 118.5 to 100,000 respectively. The high ratios for these states are due to the fact that Indians, among who .trachoma (granulated eyelids)is of frequent occurrence constitute relatively large elements in their population. In Arizona, Kentucky, Tennesee, and Vermont the 94, 89.5 and 84.6, respectively. The relatively large Indian population of Arizona is responsible for the high ratio in that state; trachoma is prevalent in certain parts of Kentucky and Tennessee; and in Vermont there are relatively more people of advance ages than in other parts of the country, to which fact is doubtless due the high ratio for that state, since susceptibility to blindness increases with ■ advancing age. In 1850 and at every succeeding

census the proportion blind has been greater among males than among females. In 1910 the ratio of males to females among the blind population was 130.7 to 100,000, whereas in the total population the corresponding ratio was 106 to 100,000 in the majority of foreign countries a similar condition exists. Among native whites, the number of blind persons per 100,000 population the ratio was 62.3 to 100,000. The corresponding ratio for other elements of the population were: Foreign-born whites, 74.5 to 100,000, Negroes, 90 to 100,000; Indians, 303.6 to 100,000; Chinese, Japanese and all other men whites, 23.2 to 100.000 Os the 31.473 blind males 10 years of age and over in 1910, only 7,976 or 25.3 per cent, were reported as

being gainfully employed, while of i ihe 24,000 blind females 10 years of . age and over, only 1 345 or 5.6 per cent, were reported as gainfully employed. A BIGGER SLICE Os State School Funds Received by Adams County Than She Paid In NOTICE RECEIVED By Auditor—Sum of sls,659.84 Apportioned to Adams County

The county auditor has received | notice that the semiannual June school fund apportionment has been made and that Adams county will re-' ceive as her share of the state funds, the sum of $15,659.84. This is a’per capita of $2.24 for each child of school age—between the ages of six and twenty-one years. As the sum Adams, county contributed to the state school , funds this installment was $14,457.26, Adams county receives $1,202.58 more than she paid in. The amount Adams j county collected for state school tax | was $12,356.42, to which was added | interest collected on common school funds since the last apportionment, amounting to $2,100.84. The total imount apportioned in the state was $. : ,73.713.28. among 768,622 children in the state. —1 — o FUNERAL YESTERDAY, i Rev. A. K. Mumma of Hoagland, of the Concord Lutheran church, deliver- , ed a fine sermon at the funeral of Dwight Wilder held yesterday in the . Methodist church in this city. Music was furnished by a quartet, comprising Messrs. C. D. Kunkel and John , Houk and the Misses Helen Fonner and Irma Houk. Pall bearers were 1 ( Henry Bauman. R. K. Fleming. Will , Baker, Charles E. Magley, E. S. Chris j ten and Charles Johnson. Interment j took place in the Decatur cemetery. t j o , RETURN THE PURSE. Three or four weeks ago a lady re- , siding on North Fourth street while sit - j ting on a front porch heard some one enter the back doqr of her home. As , she was busy with a company of >. friends she paid but little attention to ; them. Later she missed a hand bag 1 j containing a small amount of change.', and a pair of glasses. The joke has , certainly gone far enough and the property taken should be returned at once to avoid trouble. , o I TWO ENTRANCES FOR GROUNDS A committee of business men this' morning inspected the grounds east of the city where the Chautauqua will be held next week and decided to have two entrahce gates, one just east oi the bridge and the other at the east' side of the field, the tent to be pitched further east than last, year, it is be- ■ lieved this will greatly improve the plan formerly used. o TOCSIN COUPLE ELOPES Two couples from Indiana were ’ married Thursday afternoon at the court house at Hillsdale, Mich., by Jus- ■ tice C. M. Weaver. They were; John • W. Nash and Miss Genevieve Rupright ( I both of Tocsin. Ind., the former a see- > tion hand, and Louis F. Freece and' - Mrs. Ollie Davis, both of Ft. Wayne! ; the former a machinist o i J. W. Tickle arrived from Rockford, O. to spend the week-end with Mrs. > David Liby at Mpnmouth.

Price, Two Confs

LANSING WILL VISIT PRESIDENT As Soon as Official Translation of Message Arrives From Germany. IS UNSATISFACTORY According to Officials Who Refuse to Discuss it Un-

til President Speaks. (By John E. Nevins) Washington. D. C„ July 10—(Special to Daily Democrat) —Officials did not try today to conceal their opinion that the German reply to President Wilson’s second Lusitania note is unsatisfactory. The situation is fraught with dangerous possibilities and officially they would not talk, being afraid to do so. They preferred to leave it to the president. The general opinion seemed to bo that the president would reiterate his previous statements. The question was raised however, whether lie would not consider that negotiations were getting nowhere and might decide to break off diplomatic relations. No one pretended to know what the president would do. All believed that his next step would be a firm one. All comment was to the effect that while the kaiser made counter proposals he made no confessions at ali. Lansing announced that he would go to Cornish as soon as the official translation arrives, to go over it with the president. He talked with the president by i 'phone today. Following the conference, Lansing will return here and prepare the reply to Germany, if one is decided upon. With the reply prepared. the president will come to . Washington and discuss it with his cabinet before dispatching it. It was thought probable that this would bo next week or the week after. (By Karl W. Ackerman) • Berlin. July 10, — (Special to Daily Democrat) —The Berlin press today was practically unanimous in supporting the stand taken by the Imperial government in the reply regarding the Lusitania. Most of the papers 1 carried long editorials on the note. ' The Taglesblattt critic said that Germany had met America's demands and ' that the reply will end the controversv. The Morning Post admits that the -e---ply does not end the controversy. The Post adds that public sentiment .e---garding the German side of the case in America has changed since the first note and expresses the opinion that tlie new German reply will rrnot with the approval ft’ a large portion of the American people. Washington. D. C., July 10 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —Mexico City is completely invested. Consul Silliman notified, the state department today. He said General Gonzales had established headquarters in a suburb. Mobile, Ala., July 10—(Special to Daily Democrat) —The bandits that held up the New York-New Orleans limited, got $25,00 to SIOO.OO, according to various estimates made here today. They were said to have escaped in a waiting automobile. New York, N. Y„ July 10 —(Special Ito Daily Democrat) —New York afterI noon papers commented as follows toI day on the German reply: Telegram: | "Germany’s reply to the United States , is in substance as high handed as the invasion of Belgium. The kaiser not only desires a place in the sun. but to possess the heavenly body and peddle out its rays to the rest of humanity. It is madness.” Globe: “Has the German imperial government been ; going to school to the 1. W, W.7 In the matter of submarine blockade, Germany is acting on the same principles as the McNamaras and other advocates of direct action, whom organized society prefers to keep in jail.” Washington. July 10,—(Special „o Daily Democrat)—Germany lias enunciated a new doctrine of international ; law. This was tlie intrepretation I placed by officials today on the un- ' official text of the German reply cabled from Berlin. In the absence >f the official text and of President Wilson from the capital, administration chiefs declined comments for publica(Contlnuea on Fags 2.)