Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 40, Number 135, 20 May 1915 — Page 1

EIGHMONB PAULABIUM VOL. XL., NO. 135 Satelndi.8ou7n-Te,sarram RICHMOND, IND THURSDAY EVENING, MAY 20, 1915. SINGLE COPY. 2 CENTS IB)

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ITALY'S COURSE TO BE DECIDED BY PARLIAMENT Crowds in Rome Shout for War While Troops Protect Building Where Deputies Hold Session.

GUARD ALL EMBASSIES German and Austrian Envoys Remain to Throw Full Responsibility of the War on Italy. BY BRIXTON D'ALLAIRE, Staff Correspondent for International New Service. ROME, May 20. Parliament reconvened today with Rome aflame for war with Austria. As the senators and deputies gathered great crowds marched through the streets crying: "Down with Austria." Ten thousand troops took up stations in the city at dawn. The prominent buildings were surrounded by soldiers with fixed bayonets. The guards about the Austrian and German embassies were doubled. Confers With King. Premier Salandra held an early conference with King Victor Emanuel. hTe premier was cheered as he arrived and left the Quirinal. It is understood that Salandra acquainted the king with the decision of the cabinet that Austria's latest concessions were insufficient and also gave him In detail the measures adopted by the cabinet for rupturing diplomatic relations with Austria and the war that is expected to follow. All disinterested diplomats here are watching with deepest Interest the methods of Foreign Minister Sonnino for breaking with Austria and Germany. Shift Responsibility. Both these countries have done their utmost to avoid giving cause for a break. It is reported that Prince von Buelow and Baron von Macchio have been instructed by their respective governments not to ask for their passports, apparently planning to throw full responsibility upon Italy. Even In official Italian circles It is admitted that Sonnlno's diplomacy will be put to a hard test. The houses of parliament were called to order promptly at 2 o'clock. The troops which had been station in all the streets adjacent to parliament building allowed none to approach save members and those bearing special passes. The only conspicuous absentee in the chamber of deputies was Signor Glolitti, leader of the anti-war party and former premier of Italy, who has openly been accused of treason for trying to prevent Italy from going to war against her former allies. CONFESSES TO MURDER Columbus, Ind., May 20. William K. Winfrey, railroad station agent at Grammer, today confessed to Coroner Bracken that he killed Robert Sample, the contractor and builder who was found dead in his home at that place several days ago. Winfrey claimed he acted in self-defense when Sample fired a shotgun at him. FINISH EXTERIOR WORK. ON FIRST NATIONAL BANK Exterior work on the new First National bank building has been completed. Workmen are plastering the interior and are putting in the big windows. Mr. Gayle said the work should be completed by September 1 and probably earlier. Seventh street and Main street will be cleaned within a short time and the fences around the building removed. ENGLAND WAITS ON ASQUITH TO FORM CABINET Churchill Slated to Go, While Pall Mall Demands Kitchener Resign as First War Chief. LONDON, May 20. The gigantic task of forming a new "war cabinet" occupied the attention of Premier Asouith today while the nation waited impatiently for official news of changes in the old ministry. Parliament has adjourned until June 3, but it is expected that the contemplated changes will be announced before that time. One of the most remarkable features of the domestic political upheaval is the demand no wbeing made by the Pall Mall Gazette and other Influential newspapers for the retirement of Lord Kitchener, who since the war started has been regarded in the light of a popular idol. It is practically established that no matter who heads the war office the Continued On Page Eight. 1

VATTERSON ADVISES NEUTRAL CONFERENCE

LOUISVILLE, May 20. Henry Watterson in the Courier Journal today calls on the president to "seize the opportunity afforded by the official interrogation between the government of the United States and the government of Germany to call a congress of neutral powers to lay the fiat down tot the belligerent powers. "That there shall be no more murder from under the ocean, or out of the clouds; that the rules of war shall not be altered to suit these Zeppelins and the Krupps; that the last word of science shall not be murder, unsparing and pitiless murder; in short that the submarine is a pirate and the air ship a brigand and that both shall lie under the penalty that no nation setting itself against the interdict shall ever again, either in commercial intercourse, be recognized by the thus reorganized family of nations as one of its members." NEWS DIGEST OF ITALIAN CRISIS The parliament met in Rome at 2 o'clock to decided whether that country should go to war with Austria. The length of the session Is problematic. It is not unlikely that the deputies will discuss the subject until late tonight or until Friday morning before a decision is reached. It is believed that definite action will have been taken by Friday night when parliament Is due to be dismissed. If this proves true, further action will be left to the military authorities. The action of today's session will of course be immediately known to the people of Rome, but whether the Italian authorities will permit transmission of the news to the outside world is a matter apart. It is considered that the information may be withheld until Italy has had time to strike a telling blow. Rome time is 6 hours 49 minutes earlier than Chicago time. Already the Austrian fleet at Pola Is reported to have sailed to bombard Venice. The universal belief prevails here that Greece and Bulgaria will join Roumania and Italy. King Emmanual received both the minister of war and minister of marine in audience this morning. The conference was regarded as extremely important in view of immediate war with the Teutonic allies. TURKISH FIRE FORCES ALLIES TO WITHDRAW CONSTANTINOPLE Via Berlin and Amsterdam, May 20 Effective firing from concealed Turkish batteries has forced the Anglo-French fleet to abandon its bombardment of the Dardanelles forts, the war office announced today. The following official statement was issued: "Our hidden batteries forced the English battleships to leave their anchorages and cease firing Tuesday. French warships were also driven off by our batteries on the Asiatic shore. As a result the Anglo-French fleet remained inactive during the rest of the day. French warships have recently been active south of Smyrna. A cruiser entered the port of Marmaros Sunday, confiscated the flags of various ships and captured two vessels carrying cargoes of wood.

ITALY SEEKS TO JUSTIFY COURSE IN "GREEN BOOK

ROME, May 20 Though efforts were made to keep secret the contents of the green book, which the government had prepared for parliament to set forth the negotiations with Austria, practically all its contents were known when parliament met. The green book states that Italy remained faithful to the Triple Alliance pact but declares that in the summer of 1914, Austria without accord with Italy, without giving the latter country the slightest information and without heeding Italy's advice of moderation, sent an ultimatum to Servia that caused the present war. "Thus Austria," the green book asserts, "broke the Balkan status quo, creating a situation profitable only to herself. Notwithstanding this Italy for several months endeavored to resume friendly relations with Austria but the effort failed." The green book reviews negotiations up to April 8 when in counter proposals, Italy demanded the cession of Trent and the establishment of the boundaries that had existed in 1811, together with the following other grants:

HELPS FRAME GERMANY'S ANSWER

Chancellor von Bethmann-Hollweg. Von Bethmann-Hollweg, chancellor of the German empire, is taking an important part in the preparation of Germany's answer to President Wilson's note of last week. Von Bethmann-Hollweg is the man who referred to the treaty guaranteeing Belgium's neutrality as a "scrap of paper."

GARRISON TELLS WHY AMERICA MUST ARM TO MAINTAIN PEACE

WHY WE SHOULD ARM. "The real problem of national defence Is how to get the people of this country to look the facts squarely in the face." "Turning aside won't do it will not only prevent the calamity, but will also serve to make its effectsmore disastrous if and when it does come." "No sound reason can be adduced which would justify a sane man in concluding that isolation alone spells safety." "Nor can sure reliance be placed upon our lack of aggressive intention, our freedom from covetousness, or our tendency toward righteousness." "Self-respect, without which man Is an invertebrate animal, requires that we should be prepared to protect that which not only includes our material possessions, but that intangible something which makes us a distinctive nation in the eyes of the world." LAKE MOHONK, N. Y., May 20. The United States must arm immediately if it is to keep pace among the nations, Secretary of War Lindley H. Garrison will tell the pacifists gathered for the annual conference on international arbitration here. He holds the real problem of American national defence is to get the i 9 9 1 Concessions in Friuli from Malborghette to Nabresina. 2 Trieste with Istria and Pizan to constitute an independent state. 3 Italian control of the Curzolari islands. 4 Italy to have a free hand in Albania. 5 Ratification of Italy's occupation of Valona, Albania. Between April 2 and April 13 reports that Austria and Russia might conclude a separate peace reached Baron Sonnino, who then began to insist upon an immediate reply from Austria. Vienna's reply to the insistent messages of Baron Sonnino was a flat refusal of all Italian demands except the session of a small zone in Trent and no immediate occupation of that district by Italy. In April when it began to look as though diplomacy had failed, negotiations were broken off and the Triple Alliance pact, so far as Italy was concerned, was abrogated. The contention underlying the "green book" is that Italy tried throughout to avoid war.

people to look the facts squarely in the face. Only a united nation can accomplish anything in arming for the conflict which is bound to come sooner or later. We will be despised among the nations of the earth and our righteousness will not save us from the aggressions of the unrighteous, if we remain weak and flabby, he argues. We must be ready to make war in order to keep the blessings of peace he said. Selfpreservation is the first law of a nation. "A nation to deserve preservation must be sane, just, righteous, self-respecting and courageous," he continued. "Since it only obtained those virtues by conflict of one sort or another, it can only retain them and thus insure its own preservation by being prepared in every proper way to defend them from the inevitable assaults which will be made against them. "At first blush it sems amazing that there could be wide-spread inattention on the part of our people to this matter which so vitally and intimately concerns them, and quite as amazing that there could be disagreement as to certain fundamental considerations, and confusion of thought and judgment with respect to them. There is, however, just such inattention, resulting in neglect of the subject, and just such confusion of thought and division of counsel, and1 we must face that situation and deal with it as it is is. Until most of us think alike on this subject, there is no hope of a proper settlement of if

SIXTH STREET ASKS PAVEMENT OF BRICK The majority of the property own-; ers on Sixth street from South A j street to Fort Wayne avenue, four- j teen of them, have petitioned to have j the street paved with brick. This j greatly pleased the board members j who feared for a time that the prop-1 erty owners would decide upon concrete because it was a cheaper improvement. The' contract for the paving of that street will now be awarded to Cronin and Meredith, the lowest bidders on brick. It was also learned by the board today that at least two-thirds of the South A street property owners are in favor of paving that street with brick, in which event Cronin & Meredith will receive the contract. A petition was received today for the extension of the water main in Chestnut street from Northwest Fourth street to Northwest Fifth street. A petition was received for a cement sidewalk on the west side of South Tenth street from Park Place to South C street. DEBATERS SELECTED. Principal Pickell of the high school, announced today that the debating team of the school had been selected and consisted of the following members: William Dean, Leroy Brown and Ray Jordan.

MAYOR'S BOARD STANDS BEHIND PURCHASE PLAN Alfred Bavis, as Spokesman, Declares Commission Business Men See Advantage to City Electric Plant.

'RICHMOND IS SAFE" City Attorney Bond Hints at Legal Loopholes and Promises Opinion Clearing Up Status of Contract. Members of the commission appointed by Mayor Robbins to supervise the conduct of cases before the' state utilities commission involving the municipal plant held a meeting last evening with members of the board of public works and City Attorney Bond and for several hours discussed the charges recently made public that the city has irrevocably contracted to purchase the electric plant of the Light, Heat & Power company. President Bavis of the board, was spokesman for the commissioners today but he had little information to make public at this time. He said that City Attorney Bond would issue a statement tomorrow in explanation Continued On Page Three. SUICIDE STOPS TEUTONS TRIAL FOR ESPIONAGE Antone Kuepferle Ties Silk Scarf About Neck in Cell at Old Bailey Court in London. BY JOHN C. FOSTER. International News Service Staff Correspondent. LONDON, May 20. Antone Kuepferle, the alleged German spy, who was charged with communicating naval and military secrets to England's enemies, committed suicide in his cell in Brixton jail, by hanging, early today. Kuepferle gave no intimation of his plan to end his life, but seemed cheerful and satisfied with the course of his trial. Engaged Legal Aid. The Kuepferle trial began Tuesday and the hearings have been held in secret. The prisoner, who claimed to be a citizen of the United States and a resident of Brooklyn, was accused of writing letters with invisible ink, giving the location of British warships and the dates of the departure of British troops for the front. He pleaded not guilty and made elaborate arrangements to prove his innocence by retaining excellent legal talent. Kuepferle inflicted upon himself a form of death he dreaded most. He had protested vigorously against being tried in a civil court where a sentence of guilty meant death by hanging, and tried in every way to secure a trial by military court where the death sentence in the event of a verdict of guilty would be execution by shoot i.ig. The accused man used a silk scarf in taking his life, tying one end to a ; ventilator, the other about his neck, i Dies as Soldier. ! Kuepferle left the following note: I "I am a soldier with a rank which 1 1 do not desire to mention. I have had j a fair trial in the United Kingdom j but I am unable to stand the strain any longer. I have fought in many j battles. I would have preferred death , by shooting at the hands of soldiers. , as it has been my wish that I should ' never ascend the scaffold as a ." At this point in the letter Kuepferle j had drawn a Masonic sign. The let-1 ter continues: ! "I hope the Almighty Architect of this universe will lead me in the un-i known land. I am not dying as a spy ' but as a soldier. I cannot be a liar i and perjure myself. I ask that notification of my death be sent to my un-j cle, Andrew Droll, in Sollingen, Germany."

FOUNTAIN CITY JOINS OLD TRAILS MOVEMENT

Fountain City joined the National Old Trails' Road association movement last night when representative citizens of New Garden township after hearing the Fourth of July celebration outlined, heartily endorsed the movement and appointed a committee to organize the township. "We have heard what the movement stands for; we believe in the nationalization of the National road; why hear more; let's start to organize at; once." ! This was the sentiment of the! speeches, and a committee, with Major! M. M. Lacey as chairman, was quickly I

CONDITIONS WILL COMPEL UTILITY BODY TO GRANT ANTICIPATED CONDITIONS Protection of Holders of $900,000 Bonds Makes Permission to Raise Rates Only Course Open to State Public Service Bureau, in Event Legality of Contract Entered into Forces City to Complete Deal for Electrical Property and Equipment of Private Corporation Valuation of More than Million Dollars Accepted Without Investigation.

PETITION WILL REVIEW CHANGED CONDITION Company's Attorneys Will Show that Former Figures Were Based on Plant Providing Both Electric and Gas Service; That Business Declined Rapidly During 1914; that the City's Competitor Could Not Expect to Operate Its Gas Interests Alone at Fair Profit, if at Any Profit at All under Existing Schedule Allowed by Indiana Commission.

In the event the city Is compelled to purchase the electric plant or the Richmond Light, Heat & Power company, frcm which fate the city cannot now escape, according to a member of the State Public Utilities commission, the citizens of Richmond can anticipate a prompt application on the part of the Light, Heat & Power company for an increase In its natural gas rates. It Is also apparent that the state commission will have no other recourse than to authorize an increase in the local gas rates, to protect the holders of the $900,000 of company bonds, issued over a year ago with the approval of the commission after the Light, Heat &. Power company officials had represented to the commission that the assets of the company were In excess of a million dollars. This claim was not disputed by City Attorney Bond and was accepted by the commission without making an Investigation. . In asking for an increase in eas

A COMPARISON. For L., H, and P. John Beasley, Terre Haute, one of the best corporation lawyers in state. George H. Olney, corporation lawyer. New York city. Wilfred Jessup. Richmond. Fred White, Richmond. A. M. Gardner, Richmond. Byram C. Robbins, Richmond. For Richmond. William A. Bond, city attorney. FOE TO SHELL VENICE PARIS, May 20. A dispatch from Milan states that the Austrian fleet at Pola has sailed to bombard Venice as soon as war is declared betw een Italy and Austria. CITIZENS WANT CITY TO SOUND PUBLIC OPINION For the purpose of permitting the taxpayers of the city to consider the policy they desire to pursue in con nection with the municipal light plant in a deliberate and intelligent manner, the following petition was being circulated among citizens today for presentation to the city authorities: To the Mavor and Common Council of the Citv of Richmond. Indiana, and the Board of Public Works: 7-,i...j .u .i. , ... vn ui u iiirn ni l i' t iiift tudi lilt til i - zens of the citv of Richmond ought to have an opportunity to inform themselves and to fairly and honestly determine whether it would be advisable for the citv to purchase the plant of the Richmond Light, Heat and Power' company, we, the undersigned citizens and taxpayers respectfully petition your honorable bodies to rescind the resolution heretofore passed and suspend all further proceedings in said matter until the sentiment of the people can be ascertained.

appointed and an organization meeting called for Friday evening. On the committee besides Major Lacey are L. D. Hampton. G. A. Dwiggins, George Showalter, G. B. Harris, Lava Study, Dr. O. N. Huff, Earl Smith, John Barnes and T. J. Reynolds. Accepting an invitation of the Eaton Commercial club, local boosters will outline the work in Preble county Friday evening, while Hagerstown will be visited Monday, and Boston early next week. Major Lacey said he believed the National road ought to be commemContinued On Page Eight.

rates it is understood the company contemplates citing the following facts in support of its application: That when the company contracted with the Allegheny Gas company to supply natural gas in the city of Richmond it was engaged both in the electric and gas business, and that it also contracted with the city to furnish natural gas to its patrons at the following rates: First 5,000 cubic feet, 50 cents per thousand: next 95,000 cubic feet. 45 cents per thousand; over 100,000 cubic feet. 40 cents per thousand, a discount of 10 per cent for each 1,000 cubic feet being provided in all three classifications when bills were paid on or before the tenth of the month. That during the year 1914 the earnings of the company off its gas busi-

i ness amounted to only $961.33 and i witn the taking over of its electric ! Plant by the city the company could I not hope to operate its gas business ! dlone at a tair prorit, if at anv profit at all, under existing rates. Condition Justifies Plea. That the commission would be justified in granting the company the authority to increase its gas rates, because of the above mentioned facts; because the company's contract with the city pertaining to gas rates would no longer be binding for the reason that conditions existing at the time of its promulgation had been radically altered with the city's action in taking over the company's electric business; and because the commission was obligated to protect the company's bond holders by establishing rates under which the earnings of the eas busii ness would be sufficient to meet inter- : est on the bonded debt and payments n principle. ' Prior to the time the Light. Heat & j Power company entered the' natural gas business it operated an artificial gas service, receiving a rate of $1.10 ; ner thousand cubic feet with a ten I per cent discount ' ji nag urru iKuiru iiihi mr I np naar i two years, with the introduction of 40 cent natural gas. there has been a year to the comi saving of $44.0ifO a ' pany's gas patrons. SINK GERMAN SHIP GENEVA. May 20. A Petrograd dispatch to the Tribuna states that an English submarine penetrated the Baltic sea and sank a German transport off Libau. Weather Forecast FOR INDIANA Rain tonight and probably Friday. Yesterday. Noon 59 Temperature. Maximum 5s Minimum 44 For Richmond Rain tonight. Unsettled Friday with probable showers. General Conditions The central storm present over the southern states is causing general rains east of the Rocky mountains and snow in Nebraska, a foot deep in many places. Another storm central over the Rocky mountains with a temperature of 22 degrees above at Cheyenne. W. E. Moore, Weather Forecaster.