Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-21
THE WEEK IN
WASHINGTON
Official and Unofficial Activities
and Concerns of the National
Capital.

Capital.
Upon receipt Of advices from Captain
q. @. Decker U. s. N, commanding the
armored cruiser Tennessee. announcing
that a launch Of that battleship had been
fred at in the harbor Of Smyrna by the
turkish land forces, the Administration
called upon Ambassador Morgenthau, at
Constantinople, to make n thorough in
cuiry and report to the State Department
At the same time Captain Decker was
cautioned not TO take any action which
might cause this Government embarrass-
ment In sending a message Of warning
10 Captain Decker, Secretary Daniels had
In mind the Mexican crisis which followed
Admiral Mayo's demand on General
fIuerta. last April. to fire a salute OF Il
tuns to the American flag. The Ten
nessee is now anchored in the harDor OF
scio which is controlled by Greece.
Notwithstanding the announcement that
abe American troops would be Withdrawn
from Vera Cruz on next Monday, the
Mexican situation continued to assume a
more serious aspect during the week.
reneral Carranza notified the State De-
fiartment that he had agreed to Yield the
Provisional Presidency to General Cutter
fez, who was designated for the post by
the Aguas Callentes convention of mill
itary commanders on condition that Gem
nfAl FRANCISCO VIVA WOulu dsitp W hiSSN
him in Havana. Consul Slllman's reports
to the state Department were far from
Encouraging He made II clear that con-
aitions are becoming serious, and gave as
bis opinion that actual hostilties between
The villa and Carranza factions could not
be averted.
The most important financial develop
nnent of the week was the Inauguration Of
the Federal Reserve Bank system on
Monday. The f2 banks we're opened under
the most auspicious circumstances, ac-
cording to messages received by Secretary
ndcAdoo. President Wilson, in responding
to letter from Secretary McAdoo an
nouncinE the formal opening of tho
banks, took occasion to review the out
} look for business in this country. He
took an optimistic view of the economic
and social future of the United States,
The President said that he was in sym
pathy with the railroads in their effort
20 obtain permission for a general ad-
vance in freight rates. The President
said:
"No doubt, In the light of the new day,
with its new undertakings, the problems
OF the railroads will also be met and
dealt with in a spirit of candor and
Justice"
Much discussion is heard in Washing
ton of the unpreparedness of the United
States Army in the event of war with
drs>lclass foreign Power. Advocates of a
bigger army and navy were much elated
over the report of the retiring Chief Of
STAFF, Major General w. w. Wother-
spoon, who urged that steps be taken to
improve the efficiency OF the army, He
said that it would be impossible for the
United States to defend the Panama
Canal and the territorial possessions
against attack unless the present mill
tary garrisons are strengthened. General
wotherspoon offered a plan for increas-
49,. 4, ~ he
next Ave years TO 100000 men, His plan
provides for a strong force OF reserves
composed of men who would be given a
thorough training in the regular army.
Secretary of State Bryan announced
that Great Britain and France had di-
rected the attention of this Government
to tho alleged violation of neutrality by
Ecuador and Colombia, but he denied
that the diplomatic representatives of
the United States in the two South Amer
lean republics had been instructed to
take any drastic action in the matter.
The Secretary OF State failed to make
clear Just what attitude will be assumed
by this Government He did make 1t
plain, however, that there would be no
interference by Washington to compel
the two South American nations to live
up to their obligations as neutral ma
tions.
The campaign against the live stock
1OOIs ana WIS
by the Department OF Agriculture in CO.
operation with the offfcials of the quaran-
tined States. Nearly 81, 100000 already has
been expended by the Government in re-
imbursing farmers and stockmen for cat
tie condemned and slaughtered by the in
spectors OF the Department OF Agricul-
ture.
Secretary of the Treasury McAdoo an
nounced the completion of the cotton loan
pool, which has been criticised in many
quarters. especially in the New England
States, as unnecessary. Subscriptions of
81, ,O0o, Doe from Kuhn, Loeb 81 Co.. New
York bankers. and 100000 from Bernard
NJ Baruch. New York financler made
possible the success OF the plan which
had originally been suggested by Festus
j. Wade. of St. Louis, and approved by
the Federal Reserve Board. Philadelphia
bankers subscribed A640.0 900 to the pool
Announcement was made by Secretary
Redfield. of the Department OF Commerce,
OF an increase OF imports for October OF
S5023,470 and an increase OF exports OF
e7e. ,6lz. In view OF the conditions ore
ated by the European war. trade experts
declare the figures OF the Department of
Commerce arc most encouraging.
Labor leaders urged President Wilson
a TAXA eyvar tha Colorado mines.