davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-15
FRENCH REFUSAL TO CONFER
WILL BRING DEMAND FOR SHIPS
Leaders in Congress Expect Big Navy Idea
to Grow If Paris Stays Out of
Limitation Farley.

to which President Coolidge addressed
his recent memorandum, should de-
cline to confer. No statement Will be
made until the official replies of the
nations have been received. Nothing
was said regarding the possibility of
three power negotiation.
1t was made quite clear, however.
that President Coolidge believes the
only practical way to obtain naval
limitation is through such a confer
ence of the five powers signatOry to
the Washington treaty as he has now
proposed. Furthermore, it was said
that the President, in proposing his
plan for a fivepower naval limitation
treaty. has not undertaken to set up a
new conference or to ignore the
League of Nations. The dispatches
from France have stressed the idea
that the French government will hold
it cannot go outside the League con-
ference,
The conference proposed by the
President, 1t was said, is not a new or
separate conference. 1t Is simply a
suggestion that when the powers re-
turn to Geneva next month to the
preparatory arms conference the rep
resentatives Of the five powers which
signed the Washington naval treaty
be empowered to negotiate a treaty
Continued on Page 2. Column ~
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-15
BRUTALITY TO CONVICTS
PROBED BY LEGISLATURE
Inmates of Michigan State Cement
Plant Said to Have Been
Strung UP" by Wrists.

By the Associated Press.
DETROIT, February 15.-Charges
of brutal treatment of convict labor
ers in the States cement plant at
Chelsea were laid before the legis-
lature last night.
The report, signed by two assis-
tant attorneys general. charged L. l..
Griffiths, jr., assistant superinten-
dent Of the plant, with having placed
men in the bull pen" for slight of
fenses: with having had them strung
up" by their wrists, handcuffed above
their shoulders, one for eight hours
daily for % days; and with having
ordered the administration of a drug
to lessen resistance of certain con.
victs.
Three convicts were quoted i'm the
report as saving that the punish
ments were for such things as re-
fusing to work in dangerous places.
Investigation intended to deter
mine whether the plant was profit
able to the State. began some time
ago.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-15
BY G. GOULDLINCOLN.

REFUSAL by France to participate in
e-power naval limitation agree
ment as proposed by President Cool
ldGe. forecast in dispatches from
Paris. will give impetus to the de-
mand for building more cruisers and
submarines by the United States.
This was the view taken at the Capt.
tol today. both by men who have
supported the bigger navy idea and
by those who have opposed it at
this session Of Congress.
Suggestion has been made that in
me event France and Italy are un-
willing to enter into a five-power
naval limitation conference at this
time. a conference be held by the
representatives of the United States
Great Britain and Japan, in an eff
fort TO extend the 5-5-3 ratio
adopted by those countries for capi-
tai ships at the Washington confer
ence so that it shall cover auxiliary
naval craft.
AT the White House today no state
ment was forthcoming regarding the
attitude of the United States Govern
ment If France, or any other power
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-15
Navy for Offense,
To Win Territory,
Is Fascist Appeal
ne the Associated Press

py the Associated Press
ROME, February l5.-ltaly needs
q strong navy, not to defend her
civilization. but to spread it, says
II Tevere, Fascist organ. COM
menting jointly on President Cool
iace's naval disarmament proposal
and the opening of the Tripoli fair
today.
I'VE need a navy to defend our
colonies and seek new outlets for
our superdensity of population and
our desire TO work" the paper
adds. 1--WE are merely following
the example of those nations
which now are acting as our men
tors.
"A navy permitted England to
conuuer an empire. A navy con-
uuered Spain's heritage for the
limited States. We are demon
strably as able as the English and
Americans to carry civilization
beyond our borders.
why should we renounce our
future? 1t is in the hands of God,
end the proverbs say. God helps
those who help themselves.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-15

Will Be Held at Guantanamo
for Possible Shift to Mic
araguan Service.

By the Associated Press.
Coincident with conference in
Nicaragua today between Rear Ad-
miral Latimer, the American COM
mander, and Juan Sacasa. Nicaraguan
Liberal leader, the Navy Department
ordered the transport Henderson to
sail tomorrow from Philadelphia en-
route to Guantanamo, with 500 blue
Jackets for the scouting fleet.
Further disposition of the transport
will depend upon developments in
Nicaragua, but it was evident the Gov
ernment was prepared to take neces-
sary steps to protect American inter
ests regardless of the outcome of the
Latimer-Sacasa discussion, which was
initiated in an effort to find peaceful
solution of the Nicaraguan strife.
The Henderson will take on the blue
Jackets at Newport, r. l. They are
recruits who have undergone training
there. Although the Navy insisted the
move was routine one, it was init
mated that with the Nicaraguan stu
alton changing daily, the Navy was
ready to meet emergencies.
No movement of Marines was indi-
Gated at the department. but 400 ad-
ditional men have been ordered with
drawn from the mail guard and would
be readily available at Quantico If
needed.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-15
Troons Reing Rallied.
BRITAIN NOT TOLD OF BREAK.
News of Negotiations With Canton
AnxiOusly Awaited.

LONDON, February Is R,.-Wlth
no official dispatches from China In
the last 80 hours, the British govern
ment today was anxiously awaiting
news of the fate of the critical
negotiations at Hankow.
There was tense moment In the
House of Commons this afternoon
when Philip Snowden, Labor. asked
Foreign Secretary Sir Austen Cham
herlain whether the negotiations be-
tween the Cantonese foreign minister,
E,ugene Chen, and British Charge
d'Affaires Owen O'Malley had broken
down as stated in the press.
up to the present moment, i nave
received no information" answered
the foreign secretary gravely.
Chen Denies Any Break.
uANkOW, February Is P).-
Fugene Chen. Nationalist foreign min
lister. declared positively today that
there had been no rupture in negotia-
tions with British Charge d'Affaires
owen O'Malley over the British con-
cession here and at Kiukiang.
Chen indicated that the Nationalist
government considered that modifica'
lions on the part of the British in their
plans to concentrate armed forces at
Continued on Page 2, Column 81
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-15
Portugal Revolt
Was Held in Check
By Foot Ball Spirit
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
LONDON. February 15.-That the
enthusiastic adoption of foot ball in
Portugal had mitigating influence
on the conduct of last weeks revo-
luton. was the statement made by
DIR. Da Silva, former governor of
Madeira, who has just arrived in
London from Lisbon, where he was
obliged to remain in a hotel for
four days because of the fighting.
1T was our worst revolution since
1907" he told a Daily Mail inter-
viewer, "but really it was quite a
gentlemanly affair."
He explained by saying that the
rebellious soldiers did their utmost
to avoid shooting innocent persons.
and attributed this sporting spirit
to the effect of foot ball, game in
which Portuguese had become en-
Enthusiastically interested in the last
decade.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-15
CRUCIAL BATTLE DUE.
Americans Advised to Barricade Selves
i'm Homes.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
MANAGUA. Nicaragua, February
15.-Awaiting reinforcements, Liberal
and Conservative armies were en-
camped today near Matagalpa intent
on battle for possession of the city,
second in importance only to the cap
ital, Managua.
Gen. Moncada, leader of the Liberal
forces, Is anxious to gain tagalpa
and then fight his way to Managua,
stronghold of the Conservative Presi-
dent, Adolfo DiaZ. AS the Conserva-
tives desire to prevent this at any
cost, fighting more severe than any
yet seen in the warfare between the
two factions Is expected.
Believing the Liberals outnumbered
them, the Conservative garrison at
Matagalpa evacuated the city yester-
day to encamp to the west and await
the arrival of additional forces from
Managua.
AS soonSase the Conservatives had
left, Liberal adherents in Matagalpa
staged demonstration, in which rifles
and revolyers were much in evidence.
.(Continl ed on Page 2. Column 81
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-15
FRANCE TO SOFTEN
BLOW At j. s. NAVY
CONFERENCE PLAN
BRAND Reply, Due Tomor-
row, Will Try to Avoid Ap-
pearance of Rebuff.
DOOR TO BE LEFT OPEN
FOR NEW SUGGESTIONS
Toxic, Consenting to Discuss He-
duction, Indicates Actual Cut
Is Improbable.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
PARIS. February 15.-Frances re
nlv tn the naval disarmament pro
posaIs of President Coondge' as u'"i'
cd bv Foreign Minister Brland' "as
unanimously approved at a caoiiie.
meeting today. 1t will he 1or"dl"eu =,
IN Washington immediately ana VIII
no made public tomorrow morning
AS forecast in these dispatches tue
seuIv. il was indicated after the eau;
met meeting, will point out 'ha' ',.e
League of Nations is alread! cohSiu'
erinr the disarmament question III i's
relation TO all nations, as distinguished
from the group of nations mei.ioileu
nv Mr.. Coolidge France, II VIII gay
has no desire to take the questloh oo'
of the Leagues hands
BRAND Easing Rejection.
Tn drafting the reply, NJ. Briano
took great pains to make 1t appear de
little as possible like fiat re1ect,oii
ut the same time making IT clear ina
France adheres positively for the mo
ment to the League preparatory com,
missions scheme, which hHhS iie'' al
with land disarmament.
IT is understood the note leaves the
door open for the Washington Govern
ment 10 make suggestions concerning
the continued efforts of the preIara-
tory commission, which IS WORKING
under League auspices with the collap'
oration of American delegates.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-15
5 DIE IN RELIGIOUS ROW.
Nineteen Others Hurt When Mo.
hammedans Attack Hindus.

BOMBAY. India, February Is CP.--
Communal rioting at Indore Monday,
as reported by the Times of India,
caused the death of persons and
injuries to 10 others. A crowd of
1000 Mohammedans, the paper says,
attacked a party of Hindu women re-
turning from a religious ceremony,
charging that they permitted music in
front of Mohammedan mosque.
The riot was stopped by police and
cavalry.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-15
19 Shocks in 20 Minutes
Marked by Lightning in
CIoudIess Sky.
ALL HOUSES IN 2 TOWNS
FALL, BURYING INMATES
Other Buildings Plunged Into
River While Earth, Opening in
Long Crack, Swallows Many.

BY the Associated Press.
VIENNA, February 15.-A dispatch
from Belgrade to the GraetZ Tages-
post says that the casualties of the
earthquake, which rocked Bosnia
herzegovina and Dalmatia are esti-
mated at 600 persons. These figures
for the dead and injured could not be
confirmed.
The dispatch says that earth
tremors were renewed last night.
The Hotel DE La Vile at Ragusa
was reported to have collapsed, killing
several guests while at Popovopolie,
row of houses fell into the Trebisntca
River, drowning and crushing the in
habitants.
AID IS RUSHED.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-15
FARM BILL FACES
TEST IN HOUSE
Motion to Substitute Senate
Measure to Give Index
of Sentiment.

By the Associated Press.
A definite test of strength today
faces the McNary-Haugen farm relief
bill in the House on it's trek toward
final congressional approval.
It's supporters, by a motion to sub
stitute the Senate bill for the COM
panion measure, which has been under
consideration by the House, plan not
only to give an index of the legisla-
tion's position. but to hasten its prog
ress so President Coolidge will receive
it by the end of the week.
Chairman Haugen of the House
agriculture committee, co-author Of
the mea sure, is to offer the motion of
substitution which was approved yes
terday by the House rules committee
A vote, probably by roll call, is ex-
pected to follow after the stipulated
period of two hours debate on the
proposal.
Strategic Move.
Considered parliamentary stra-
tegic move by the farm leaders, the
motion is planned to block filibuster-
ing by the bills opponents in their eff
fort to send it back to the Senate for
conference. It's adoption, the meas
ure's supporters believe, should place
the bill in a position for final vote
by Thursday night or Friday.
Although the measures advocates
are confident of it's passage, an analy-
sis of it's administrative provisions by
Continued on Page 2, Column 81
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-15
AVIATORS DROP IN GULF.
Boat Sent Out to Try to Rescue
Army Flyers.

GALVESTON, Tex, February Is
P).-An army airplane fell into the
Gulf of Mexico shortly before IL
o'clock today, at a point about two
miles off the beach. Two aviators left
the plane in parachutes and were seen
in the Gulf.
A Red Cross life saving boat was
Immediately sent out to effect a res
cue. A collapsing wing Is said to
have caused the plane to fall.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-15
PLAN ARCTIC TRIP.
Rasmussen and Others Propose to
Study Archaeology.

COPENHAGEN. Denmark, Febru-
arv Is P).-Knud Rasmussen, noted
Danish explorer. is preparing for a
new Arctic expedition. he told the
Associated Press today. American
and Canadian expeditions also are
being organized and the three will
cooperate in archaeological work.
The chief aim of the expeditions
will be to throw light on the emigra-
ton of the first men into the Arctic
fegion. investigating the origin Of the
Eskirnos and their relation to other
primitive people. such as the South
Sea islanders.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-15
Stories of Great Terror Trickle In
Over Crippled Wires.

BELGRADE, Jugoslavia, February
Is P).-DocrorS with medlcai sup
plies are being rushed into the earth
quake zones or Herzegovina, Dalmatla
and Bosnia as fast as modern ar
planes can take them.
No authentic figures of the loss OF
life and number of injured are ex-
pected for days, because OF the break
ing of wires and the utter confusion
in the widespread area anected oy
Yesterdays commissions. 1t Is feared,
however, that the death list VIII
mount into the hundreds.
Reports trlckling into Belgrade over
crippled lines continue to emphasize
the catastrophe effects of the quake.
Thousands Homeless.
Troops are working desperately TO
restore railway communications TO
allow the passage of trains bearing
relief supplies. Thousands are home
less and will soon be in urgent need
of food.
The quake was ushered in by
period of spectacular lightning In a
-eloudless sky, which was followed by
10 shocks in 20 minutes.
The widespread nature of the quake
and the serious damage it caused
were indicated today by reports com.
ing in from various sections of the
Balkans.
Fear End of World.
In Metkovitch, Dalmatia, the post
office, railroad station and telegraph
Office collapsed, but the number OF
dead was not known. A tobacco fac
tory in Ljubinie was destroyed, sew
eral persons killed and many injured.
All the dwellings, in Popovopolie and
Perkovitch collapsed. burying in
mates. Shocks lasting nine seconds
occurring in Mostar caused the
population to flee to the streets
where the peasants kneeled down
crying that the end of the world had
come. Many houses collapsed in the
city, and thousands are homeless. In
Planta four were killed and many in
jured, while at Anselfeld the earth
parted and swallowed several houses
with their inhabitants.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-15
10000 Deaths Toll
In Last Few Years
OF Fever i'm Africa
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
LONDON. February 15.--At least
$4,000 deaths have been caused.
says a Cairo dispatch to the Daily
Express, by virulent epidemic of
relaxing fever which has been
creeping across the continent of
Africa from west to east the last
few years.
The disease, which is carried by
vermin, appeared at Wadai in 1921
and spread over an area of 5000
miles in Western and Central Africa
The dispatch says it is now extend
ing into Kordofan and Central Su.
dan. Quarantine stations have been
established and other measures
taken to curb the fever. but with
Fiittle success.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-15
Seek to Avert General Strike.

MEXICO CITY, February Is R).-
Seeking to avert the general strike set
for Thursday by the Confederation of
Transport Workers on the national
railway lines, the department Of in
dustry, commerce and labor has called
a conference for discussion of the
mems grievance. ~
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-15
TOXIC SEES CUT UNLIKELY.
Reply, However, Will Not Contain
Reservations to Acceptance.

TOXIC. February Is R.-Premier
Wakatsuki, replying to interpretations
TODAY in the House of Peers, said that
the government decision to partlcl-
nate i'm the proposed Coolidge arms
limitation conference does not war
rant rostponement of the naval con-
str.uction bill. because Il is lmposslDie
10 foretell the result Of the CONFER
enee.
The cabinet discussed drafting a.
rnemo.a .andurn replying to Pfestieht
Coolidge's proposal, but 1t was unoer
stood that nothing in the way Oh an
answer was definitely decided upon eA-
,ent acouiescence. and that a further
discussion of the wording of the reply
,ro,,ld he necessary. Hope was eN-
nressed that the memorandum coelu
T., forxya rfied this week, or early next
week.
M Reservations i'm Reply.
While ii was generally asserted that
the reDly win contain no reser 'a'Ao,iS
because of the insistence OF the c caol
net. it also is no secret thal Ihe Lla
Staff desired a clause IN tne reply
setting forth Japan deti'oo0 o
5-5-3 ratio. ,r,oho
Minister of the Navy Takarabe.
ho"rever was understood to have
voted with the cabinet, thus rlskihs
alienation of his staff, but at the same
time insisting that the navys present
,,,.oery-am of construction Is necessary
for defense purposes :,,,o.;no
paron Sakatani, lnterpeliating
,,ara;on Minister Shidehara in the
House of Peers, suggested that the
hoct solution to the world armament
~,,,ae+ion was to induce America 10
sni,, the League of Nations instead OF
nronoSing a disarmament conference.
IIa aIso suggested that Japan eX-
abanpe views with the United States
and Great Britain regarding the builo-
ing of naval facilities at Pearl Har-
hor Hawaii and Singapore, Straits
Settlements.
Avoids League Discussion.
Minister Shidehara did not reply as
+o pearl Harbor and Singapore, but
said he hoped America would JOIN the
league for the assuring the peace OF
the world. He explained. however
that entrance into the League was a
complicated question for the Umted
states. with little hope of her joining
at present He declared Japan mas
no intention of attempting to induce
America to change hef dltltuue To-
ward the League"
Minister Takarabe, interpellated in
the Upper House, reiterated that the
navy was at it's minimum, and there
fore there is no room for further re-
auction, He regarded the Coolidge
proposal as an extension of the Wash
ihcton conference of 1871. lie ala not
believe it possible under changed con
.5i,ions 10 fix the ratio of auxiliary
shins at 5-5-3. or even 5--5-4, be
caise some of the countries involved
needed more auXiEaries than others
for defense purposes.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-15
GEN. WI NOW AIDS
NORTHERN DRIVE ON
CANTON, IS REPORT
Britain AnxiousIy Awaits
News of Negotiations With
Chen, Reported Broken.
By the Associafed Press.

BY the Associated Press.
PEkING, February 15.-Chinese
press reports received here today in
dicated that Gen. WI Pei-Fu, central
military leader, who has been stand
ing between the opposing Cantonese
and Peking forces in Honan province
has joined the northern forces.
The reports quoted some of Wus
lieutenants as saying their chief.
whose position up to now has been
a mystery to both the north and
south, had allied himself with Feng-
tien troops now moving southwark
for an attack upon the Cantonese
stronghold In Hankow.
Start Move Southwark.
The Manchurian troops were said
to have been moving toward the
south in the vicinity of Chengchow,
important railroad center in Honan
province, which is Gen. Wu's domain,
while the Shantungese forces were
advancing along the Lunghai Rail-
way toward Kaifeng, provincial cap
ital.
All the troops of Gen. WI, which
formerly were stationed north or the
Yellow River, have been withdrawn
to the south and west. SuDordlnates
of WI. who said he had cast his lot
with the northerners pointed out that
the Manchurians would not have ad-
vanced on such a scale into Honan
province without assurance that they
would not be opposed by the provincial
ruler.
Troops Being Rallied.
Gen. Chang Hsueh-Liang, son of
Marshal Chang Tso-lin, northern gen
eralissimo was preparing to leave 1or
Honan province tonight to direct the
reorganization and re-enrollment or
certain of Wu's military units into
the northern army.
II also was reported that Gen.
Chang Tsung- Chang, Shantung ally
of the Mancnurians, was rapidly con.
centrating his forces in the region OF
Anking, Annwei province. east of
Hankow, making a strong threat on
the Cantonese forces at Kiankiang.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-15
DAUGHERTy TRIAL
RECALLS MERTON
German Metal Magnate De-
scribes His Dealings With
John T. King.
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, February 15.-Rich
ard Merton, German metal magnate.
was recalled to the stand in the Daugh-
erty. Miller conspiracy case to tell more
in detail how he obtained release OF
1000, 900 impounded property.
The Government charges that the
Merton claim was approved in the Of
fees of Harry M. Daugnerty. then At
torney general, and Thomas w. Mil
ler, alien property custodian, because
of "hypodermic injections OF graft
Merton told how he had first hired
John Foster Dulles. an international
lawyer, to handle the claim. and then
discharged him on the advice OF the
late John T. King, national Republl-
can committeeman from Connecticut:
Repeats Kings Advice.
He said King told him that he did
not need a lawyer, and that Duiies
was not the proper person to retain II
he did.
After discharging Dulles, Merton
paid King S441,O 900 for getting the
claim approved, and the Government
CnaTRGS THAT pdTt VI IiisS AiAOASs AO.A~
it's way into the possession of Daugh-
erty and Miller, through the agency
of the late Jess w. Smith. friend of
Daugherty's.
After Merton had testified briefly
action was suspended, while chief of
opposing counsel conferred in whis-
pers. finally going to the bench and
talking inaudibly to the judge. Mer-
ton continued in the witness chair,
calmly observing the conference.
At the conclusion of the conference
Merton was excused, but told he
might be needed again.
Miller Stenographer Called.
Edward J. Sheridan, stenographer
in the alien property custodtan's office
when Miller was in charge. then took
the stand He identified letters writ
ten concerning the Merton claim.
Expense vouchers of Jess w. Smith
were next offered for identification by
the prosecutor, showing railroad jour-
neys Smith took with Daugherty
when the German claim was pending.
While defense counsel was study
ing these papers United States Attor-
ney Buckner turned to evidence
against Miller, Just to flll i'll time"
Various dockets and files were
marked for Identification. the nature
Of the documents not being explained
to the jury at the time, ~