Indianapolis Times, Volume 43, Number 150, Indianapolis, Marion County, 2 November 1931 — Page 1

CHINESE ENVOY BRANDS JAPAN CLAMS FALSE

Aggression in Manchuria Is Called Indefensible by Dr. Koo. TREATIES ARE IGNORED - f Nippon’s Nationals Are Not in Peril, Declares Minister. "Wholly Illogical and bewildering" is the Chinese characterization of the attempt to draw a comparison between American action under the Monroe doctrine, and Japan’s present military invasion of Chinese territory in Manchuria, Following publication of the statement to the Scripps-Itnward newspapers bv Hikolchi Motovama, publisher of the Osaka Mainichi and dean of Japan’s journalists, a request was made to Dr. W'cllington Koo for a statement cf the Chinese point of view. Dr. Koo. a graduate of Columbia in the class of 1900. fromer Chinese minister to the United States, former Ambassador to London, and former foreign minister of the Chinese government, but at present serving the reunited Chinese government without portfolio, responded with the following cable: BY I)R. WELLINGTON KOO (Copyright, by Scripps-Howard. 1931) SHANGHAI, Nov. 2. —Suggestion of a Japanese Monroe Doctrine in Manchuria js as illogical as bewildering. The American Monroe Doctrine is a doctrine to safeguard the political independence and territorial integrity of the state in South and Central America. It has proved to be a bulwark against European intervention. What Japan has been doing in Manchuria is opposed diametrically to both spirit and the purpose of this doctrine. For the Japanese to declare that the incident of Sept. 18, when Japanese troops invaded Chinese territory, was local in character, is to ignore the well-considered opinion of the civilized world. It misjudges the efforts of the United State and the League of Nations in their efforts to curb the ambitions of militaristic Japan and to preserve world peace.

Would Scrap Treaties For Japan to disregard the united opinion of the league, which the United States fully indorsed in the Interest of peace, would be willfully to attempt to scrap the Kellogg antiwar pact, the covenant of the League of Nations, and the nine-power treaty. There have been no dangers to the security of Japanese nationals justifying Japan’s drastic measures. There are none now. To say that Japanese military action was defensive is simply distortion of the tacts. Japan claims there has been violation by China of treaties under which she (China) agreed not to construct railways paralleling the South Manchuria railway. The answer to that claim is that there is no such treaty commitment on the part of China. The alleged secret protocol is supposed to contain a commitment to that effect never was signed by either party. Its validity and authenticity have not been confirmed, Charge Held Unfounded Regardless of this, the world fully realizes that the South Manchurian railway is but a Japanese instrument of political and economic exploitation in Manchuria. As to the charge that Chinese soldiers attempted to destroy the South Manchuria railway, it has been established beyond doubt by disinterested neutral, witnesses that this charge is entirely unfounded. If. any part of the line was destroyed, it was the work of those who wanted a pretext to justify Japan’s military action. The fact that there are enormous Japanese investments in Manchuria does not warrant such acts of aggression as the Japanese have committed, nor military occupation of a friendly power’s territory. China was thankful to Japan for challenging Russia’s position in south Manchuria in 1904-05, but she was disillusioned when the resulting developments showed that the war was one waged by Japan for territorial aggrandizement. Help Was Refused The charge that China secretly connived with Russia to defeat Japan is without foundation. On the contrary, China proposed to Japan that she participate against Russia, but w r as frustrated in this plan by Japan herself, for reasons now clear to the world. It was Japan w T ho attempted to close the Manchurian door after the war. It was. the consequent American anxiety which led to the formation of the Knox plan, and it was Japan’s objection, no less than Russia's, which caused the plan s failure. The best proof of this is found in the now well-known twenty-one demands which Japan presented to China in 1915. I can not believe that modern Japan can persist in defying the public opinion of the world. In resorting to this aggression. Japan has violated every international obligation she has accepted, designed to uphold the cause of peace. However plausible they may sound to the uninformed, the statements that recently have been put forward by her propagandists can not serve to restore the confidence of the world in Japan. Such confidence can be regained not by words, but only by deeds. TilMd*T—Herbert E. Moy. AmTlc*n -,„ uW ol the Kuo Min New* Agency of China. *■ Now Japan *cored major *uce** at Geneva. \ il

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VOLUME 43—NUMBER 150

Young Indian Confesses He Slew University Girl

By United Press Nov. 2.—The justice department announced today ▼ ▼ that a young Apache Indian, Golney Seymour, had confessed to agente of the department to the murder of Miss Henrietta Schmerler. young Columbia university student on the White River Indian reservation, Arizona, last July. The confession was obtained by a bureau of investigation agent attached to the El Paso office’ and forwarded here today. According to the confession, Seymour said he criminally assaulted the girl before killing her. Seymour is being held at the reservation and will be tried in the federal court for Arizona. The body of the girl, who was on the reservation doing research work among the Indians, was found in a ditch in an isolated section. The murder attracted nation-wide attention at the time and mystery surrounded it.

JAPANESE TROOPS ADVANCE ON AREA RULED BY RUSSIA

One Hit; One Run; Errors? Plenty of ’Em Police ‘Smack ’Em and Skip’ Tow-In Car Featured in Blind Act.

PAGE ONE news in The Times Saturday included a story and a picture of an automobile, which the owner charged had been struck and damaged by a hit-run police tow-in truck No. 9. The owner's story was supported by a passenger in his auto and by several witnesses. Early today, The Times received reports that police hit-run towin car No. 9 was cruising through the downtown section Sunday night, displaying no tail light. The tail light, if any, it was charged, was obscured by the dangling crane chain. This morning at 11:05, police hit-run tow-in truck No. 9, commanded by policeman Roy Losch, arrived in front of The Times’ building. a a OPPOSITE The Times, behind fire station No. 13, is a oneway alley. Deep in the alley were parked ttfo machines. They appeared to constitute a distinct fire hazard. Heading into the between the pavement and the* curbing, stood another machine. It clearly was parked illegally in public property. In front of The Times is a space marked off for the automobile of Miss Virginia Edwards, Times staff photographer. Another machine had been parked there and Miss Edwards had been forced to double-park her car. The crew of police hit-run towin truck No. 9 failed to “see” the cars parked in the alley, or the machine standing in plain view between the pavement and the curbing. They had eyes only for the automobile of Miss Edwards. Times men hurriedly called police headquarters and asked reporters there to learn if the towin truck would return for the other law violators in The Times’ block. Policeman Losch spoke: “Hell, I’m not gonna talk to any of you newspaper men, after all those lies about the hit-run business.”

HALLOWEEN PRANKSTERS, SEEKING THRILLS, ARE FIREMAN’S MURDERERS

(Accident Story on Page 2) Murder for a thrill! One life, and a possibility of more, have been snuffed out in order that a group of irresponsible Halloween celebrants might have the childish thrill of hearing the shriek of sirens and seeing the fire trucks roar by. Somewhere in Indianapolis, con-science-stricken in their knowledge of guilt, are the murderers of Fire Lieutenant Lewis L. Stanley, w’ho was killed early Sunday morning answering the thirteenth false alarm of fourteen turned in by Halloween pranksters Saturday night. These same pranksters also know they are responsible for the serious injury of five other firemen, one of whom may die, and of three citizens, whose speeding car collided with the fire truck. “But we didn’t know. It was just

Not the Story of a Cause, But the Story of a People To marry, you merely register—and neither bride nor bridegroom is required to promise anything. Divorce is just as easy—and as quick—and costs only $3.50. First-graders in the schools, workers in the factories, convicts in the penitentiaries, govern themselves. The First Will Appear in

Alarming Reports Received in London From Strife Zone in Manchuria. By United Press LONDON, Nov. 2 —Japanese military advances against two points within “the Russian sphere of influence” in Manchuria and a “secret Chinese-Russian” treaty were reported today in alarming dispatches to the London newspapers concerning war threats in China. The Daily Express correspondent at Tokio said the Japanese infantrymen en route from Kirin to Taonan were moving with “extreme caution” and under protection of strict censorship on news dispatches. The Soviet, warned last week by Japan against mobilization of its troops in Manchurian territory, was reported “in a belligerent attitude.” Prepartions were reported at Mukden, the Manchurian qapital, to send a powerful Japanese force to “unknown destinations.” It also was said Chinese were preparing to seize the Japanese consulate at Isitsthar, in northern Manchuria. The Daily Mail quoted a message from Port Arthur saying a secret Chinese-Russian agreement had been reached, under which the Chinese government head, Chiang Kai-Shem, undertook to resume diplomatic relations with Russia if Moscow promised not to interfere in affairs in inner Mongolia. The dispatch gaid some Chinese militarists were reported boasting they were not afaid of Japan, because 50,000 Soviet troops were waiting. to resist a Japanese advance. Troops on Move By United Press TOKIO, Nov. 2.—Japanese troops of occupation in Manchuria were reported today preparing to move into the Taonan area, after clashing with many small bands of Chinese bandits outside the Japan-ese-controlled railroad area. Taonan is considered within the Russian “sphere” of influence. The Taonan district is in Inner Mongolia, where the Mongolian princes recently have been reported setting up independent governments. Taonan is the terminal of a railroad line projected out from Manchuria. Jiro Minami, minister of war, and Baron Shidehara, foreign minister, denied there was any danger of a Japanese clash with the forces of Soviet Russia. There is nothing in the Manchurian situation “to justify alarmist rumors,” they declared.

a joke. Lots of false alarms are turned in. How did we know this one would be fatal?” the slayers defend themselves as guilty consciences prick. Indianapolis firemen have faced death in answering fire alarms 413 times this year, lacking only seven of last year’s all-time record. Ordinarily the number is between 250 and 300 for a year. Seventy* three false alarms were answered in October, and fourteen between 8 p. m. and 3 a. m. Saturday night. Since Jan. 1, 1921, there have been 3,756 false alarms turned in. The death of Lieutenant S.tanley today brought from Fire Chief Harry E. Voshell and Police Chief Mike Morrissey warning that turning in of false fire alarms must stop, that guilty persons caught will not be treated as pranksters, but as potential slayers.

AVorld Upside Down ■

Generally fair and somewhat warmer tonight and Tuesday.

INDIANAPOLIS, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1931

HOOVER GAINS GROUND IN HIS NAVY BATTLE Chairman Britten of House Committee Hints Budget Fight Will End. ADAMS ENTERS FRAY Secretary Hits at Charge That Sea Force Cost Is Burden on U. S. By United Press WASHINGTON, Nov. 2.—Chair- ! man Britten of the house naval committee said today, after conferring with navy department heads, that he thought the navy “now believed the budget cuts insisted on by President Hoover could be effected without impairing the efficiency of the naval forces.” Britten talked with Secretary of Navy Adams and Admiral William V. Pratt, chief of naval operations, just before he made this statement. He also said it was “very doubtful” now whether he would insist on a congressional investigation of the administration’s naval economy efforts, which he previously favored. This development was taken to indicate that Mr. Hoover is winning his fight to pull down expenses of the navy in face of opposition within the service, which became so strong that the President charged an attempt was being made to set up a backfire against him, causing him to threaten to carry the fight to the country. League Committee to Meet The Navy League’s executive committee will meet here Thursday it was announced, to decide its course. One of the committee, Henry Breckenridge, former assistant secretary of war, already has publicly disassociated himself from that portion of the league’s statement which reflects personally on Mr. Hoover. Adams today issued a statement declaring that the American navy costs per capita about half what the British navy costs and that the United States spends on its navy, in proportion to national income, far less than any other power. Though he seldom issues press statements, this one was put out tor Monday newspapers under his own signature. His action was construed in some quarters as a challenge to the administration, in view of persistent rumors in Washington that he was in conflict with President Hoover over the administration economy campaign against the navy and might resign. Pressure on Gardiner His action gained significance because it came just as President ; Hoover was about to announce ap- [ pointment of a special committee to I investigate assertions by William : Howard Gardiner, president of the' Navy League, that the President displays “absymal ignorance” of naval policy and is “dictating its external subordination to those of foreign naval powers.” Mr. Hoover publicly demanded an apology from Gardiner for his “untruths.” Adams apparently framed his own statement as an appeal to the country, for it closed with this cryptic sentence: “For the American standard of living, we have a comparatively inexpensive naval establishment, and it gives me pleasure to bring this fact to the attention of the American people, so they may not be misled by confusing statistics haphazardly interpreted.”

JIM TAX WINDOWS Thousands Pay Assessments to Beat Deadline. With 4 p. m. as the deadline for payment of the fall installment of taxes, thousands of last-moment taxpayers jammed the corridors of the courthouse today. County Treasurer Clyde E. Robinson announced checks received in the first mail Tuesday will be accepted, but that payments received afterward will be considered as delinquent. Double lines of waiting taxpayers formed the entire length of the first floor corridor and extended through the east entrance into Alabama street. Persons presenting checks were required to have/them certified.

FIGHT ON EDISON’S WILL IS IMMINENT; SISTER UNCERTAIN

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Asserting that his fathe* had been “unduly influenced” by his stepmother and his half-brother, Charles, William L. Edison has announced he will contest the will by which the bulk of the Thomas A. Edison millions were left to the inventor’s two youngsest sons. William L. Edison, shown at the upper left, is the great inventor’s son by his first wife. Theodore Edison, who with Charles will inherit the bulk of the estate, is shown at upper right. Charles Edison and his mother are in the lower picture.

Late Inventor’s Eldest Son Believed in New York to Draft Suit. By United Press WILMINGTON, Del., Nov. 2. William L. .Edison was believed to be in New York or vicinity today laying plans for a court contest on the will of his father, the late Thomas Alva Edison. Edison’s butler said the family was away from home.. Edison told the United Press Saturday he xyould go to New York today to confer with his attorney about plans for starting the contest of his father’s will which left the bulk of the estate to William L. Edison’s two younger half-brothers, Charles Edison and Theodore Edison. William L. Edison said the contest will be brought on the grounds of “undue influence” which he charged his brother Charles and his stepmother used on his father shortly before the inventor’s death. By United Press NORWALK, Conn., Nov. 2.—Mrs. Marion Edison Oser, daughter of the late Thomas Alva Edison, expects to decide this u-eek if she will join her brother, William, in a contest of the inventor’s will. “I think the will is unjust,” she said Sunday. “I haven’t made up my mind about contesting it. I think in five or six days I may reach a decision.” boy’scalded playing Tips Bucket of Boiling Water on Arms and Back; Recovering. Morris Devler, 6, of 411 South Harding street, is recovering from serious burns suffered Sunday when he spilled a container of boiling water on himself. The boy was playing near a bonfire on which the bucket of water was boiling. He slipped, spilling the water over his arms and back. G. 0. P. MEETING CALLED Republican National Committee W T ill Convene Dec. 15. By United Press WASHINGTON, Nov. 2.—Senator Simeon D. Fess, . chairman of the Republican national committee, today called a meeting of the committee to be held in the Willard hotel here Dec. 15.

Read JULIA BLANSHARD’S 12 Exclusive Stories on ‘lf You Lived in Russia’ Your rent depends on what sort of work you do, regardless of where you live or how many rooms you have. No store delivers anything—not even a grand piano. Women and men are equal—both work at their jobs, both take care of the children, both do the housework. The Times Thursday Nov. 5

SOUND WARNING ON FUND DRIVE Campaign Can Not Fail, Is Word to Workers. Goal SI .043.686.00 Reported to date 5835.527.07 Per cent of goal 79 The three-quarters post in the campaign for a fund of $1,043,686 to carry on charitable work here during the next year was reached today by 3,000 workers in the annual Ccmmunity Fund drive. They met in the Claypool at luncheon for the first report meeting since Friday, when a total of $389,051.83 was reported as subscribed. A sum of $136,475.24 was added toward the goal in reports today. Extended last week because the two week-ends were included in the original dates for the campaign, the solicitation for the fund will end Wednesday night at a meeting in the Claypool. Campaign officials have reiterated their warning that the drive must not fall short, as the fund goal represents the minimum required for the thirty-eight agencies of the fund to carry on next year. Hourly Temperatures 6a. m 42 10 a. m 47 7a. m 43 11 a. m 49 Ba. m 43 12 (noon).. 51 9a. m 44 Ip. m 52

DEMURRER IS FILED BY BISHOP CANNON; TRIAL WILL BE LONG DELAYED

By United Press WASHINGTON, Nov. 2—Bishop James Cannon Jr., today filed, through counsel a demurrer to the indictment char|ing him with violation of the federal corrupt practices act. The demurrer, filed in District of Columbia supreme court for the bishop and Miss Ada L. Burroughs, his secretary, contended certain sec-

Entered as Second-Class Matter at I’ostoffice. Indianapolis. Ind.

MRS. SIMMONS IS BRANDED KILLER IN POISON TRIAL PLEA TO JURY BY STATE Mother Called Perpetrator of Unusual and Depraved Crime, in Argument by Prosecutor. DELIBERATION MAY OPEN TUESDAY Defendant and Husband Embarrassed When Charge Is Hurled That There Is No Affection Between Them. BY STAFF CORRESPONDENT LEBANON, Ind., Nov. 2.—Mrs. Carrie W. Simmons was the perpetrator of an “unusual and depraved crime,” Prosecutor Ben Scifres today charged, pleading with a Boone county jury to “go the limit” when it deliberates the charge that Mrs. Simmons is the poison slayer of her small daughter, Alice Jean. Scifres, in the state’s opening argument to the jury of twelve farmers, who, for more than six weeks, have listened to evidence for and against her, struck forcibly at the defense case. He said the defense had painted a “camouflage in beautiful colors” that only the “sword of truth” can penetrate.

The jury is expected to receive the picnic murder case either late Tuesday or early Wednesday, following arguments by the defense attorneys—W. H. Parr Sr., who opened for the defense this afternoon; his son and Charles Tindall —and Roy Adney, special prosecutor. Urges “Sword of Truth” Use “It is up to the jury to take its bearings now’,” Scifres said. “The state realized it was prosecuting the guilty and can bring all its evidence before the jury candidly. “It is the duty of the jury to dig up the swift sword of truth and cut away the debris. Just decide this case impartially and without fear. “The camouflage of the defense has been painted in some of the most beautiful colors, the object of which is the hiding of truth.” He attacked the defense intimation that Horace N. Jackson, Hancock county farmer, might be guilty of placing strychnine capsules in the sandwiches, which caused the death of the girl and her sister, Virginia, at the fatal picnic. Hits Jackson Accusation “The accusations against Jackson were some of those beautiful colors,” he added. When Scifres said there was no affection between Mrs. Simmons and her husband, John W. Simmons, the latter reddened and Mrs. Simmons shifted nervously in her chair. “There is a dead wall between them,” Scifres declared. “There is no affection. John Simmons is not fighting for his wife, but for the Simmons family name.” “When Tindall told you the defense w?ould show someone else might have committed this crime, he didn’t say who, when or how,” Scifres said. “At the opening he reminded me of Clarence Darrow pleading for Loeb and Leopold and at the close of his statement of Mark Antony, telling you if you had tears prepare to shed them now. Calls Defense Weak “The defense will tell you about a mother who built playhouses. They will bear no reasonable doubt in this case. That is prophetic of a weak defense. “The evidence of the defendant would convict her. “I think I made an error by showing her too much leniency and sympathy after the death of the

tions of the corrupt practices act are unconstitutional. Arguments on the case were set for Nov. 20. The defense asked a full day for argument. The demurrer alleged that the corrupt practices act was unconstitutional, in that it violated Section 1 of Article 2, of the Constitution. Filing of the demurrer was made when Cannon’s arraignment under the grand jury indictment was called today. The demurrer said the law “attempts to regulate contributions and expenditures made to influence the election of presidential and ’ vicepresidential electors in the several states.” The demurrer further alleged that the act violated Articles 5, 9,10 and 12 of the Constitution. It asserted that presidential electors are state officers and not governable by an act of congress. Cannon appeared in court flanked by five counsel and carrying his crutch. Filing of the demurrer is expected to have the effect of delaying the bishop’s trial considerably, even though the demurrer is not sustained. If the demurrer is sustained, the case, in the usual order, will be thrown out of court. If it is denied after argument, the bishop then can appeal to the district appellate court and to the United States supreme court, and decisions must be rendered against him by them before his case can be called for trial.

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girls. I let her go out of the county, and no other county of the state would have permitted it. “Now I ask you men to go the limit. All I want is the jury to be just to the defendant and the state of Indiana. I’m not afraid of the verdict.” Mrs. Simmons, following the deaths of her daughters, was permitted to go to the home of relatives in Hancock county. There she was questioned by Hancock authorities, but was not arrested on the murder charge until the day following the funeral of her children. Dared on Jackson Charge “The defense can not escape the fact that Mrs. Simmons made those sandwiches and passed them to her own family. Perhaps a sandwich is not a deadly weapon,” Scifres said. “An unloaded gun which I would point at Captain Ora Brown, a juror in this case, is not a deadly weapon and neither is a sandwich unless it is loaded with capsules. “I want the defense to say Horace Jackson is guilty. I dare them to. They don’t want to and never will. “The defense case is one of confusion and I’m asking you to see through the camouflage. “Whoever saw a poisoner administer the poison to the cup? They always attempt to conceal the crime and do it in the dark. “Men frown on poison cases as a way of taking lives. “Perhaps Tindall, with his ingenious mind, did it or maybe I, within a few minutes’ walk of the park, did it. Cites Other Crimes “The only person who did it is this defendant. The defense wants you to believe a Boone county jury is not quite intelligent. “If John Simmons only would tell the truth, which we didn’t expect, he would say Jackson is the best brother-in-law he ever had. “The defense will ask you how a mother could murder her own children. Criminal annals show mothers and fathers generally destroy their own children. “Money could not be the motive for taking the lives of these children. It is the result of a depraved and perverted mind. She wanted to wipe out the entire family. “When the human mind becomes depraved, it sinks to depths of perversion lower than the animals in the fields. Any one who saw her on the witness stand could say she has an abnormal mind. Her attitude was abnormal. *

Showed No Emotion “She had a story to tell when she took the witness stand and it showed her condition. She has slept but two hours each night for ten years. What is weighing on that mind? “When the pall of death shadowed the picnic ground, did she call her children together like a normal mother would and ask them what they knew of the deed? She knew when she was sitting beside Jean in that car the child was going to die. “She showed no emtion. Why, Mrs. Charity Simmons had feeling and wanted to go to her son, while his wife, the defendant, sat in a car in front of the hospital. “Why was there such a strained air at the picnic after the finding of the poison? I’ll tell you—because those children suspected their mother.” Scifres defended Charles W. Friedman, Indianapolis druggist, who has testified that he sold the accused woman sixty grains of strychnine three days before the picnic. Husband Is Target “Look at the pains the defense took to fight his story,” he said. "They used Miss Louise Robinson, the humanitarian, and Lawrence Kirkpatrick, the gratuitous detective. This proved one thing—John Simmons knew where the poison was purchased. “Miss Robinson has testified that she was the poison buyer and she used it to destroy weasels that had killed her chickens. Kirkpatrick, friend of the Simmons family, admitted Simmons asked him to aid the defense. It was he who took Miss Robinson to Lebanon to testify in Mrs. Simmons’ defense. “Miss Robinson deserves a medal for the way she hopped into tencar and hot-footed it to . (Tom to Page U)

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