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TRADE COMMISSION BEGINS THEIR WORK i MEMBERS OF GREAT GOVERNMENT A|- AGENCY TAKE OATH OF OFFICE. GREAT CONTROLLING POWER j Will Exercise Supervision Over American Enterprises.?Davis Is First Chairman. Washington?The second great governmental agency created by Congress in President Wilson's Administration came into being when Joseph E. Davies of Wisconsin, Edward N. Harris of Illinois, William J. Harris of Georgia, William H. Parry of Washington and George Rublee of New Hampshire were sworn in as members of the Federal Trade Commission with far-reaching powers of supervision over American enterprises. There were only the simplest ceremonies. Chief Justice J. Harry Covington of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia, administered the ?A nTAtdr KA hmron Willi, cumpieililg luc nuia wo as a member of Congress, when he introduced the bill creating the commission. Later in the week the commissioners will be received by President Wilson. All of the commissioners were in Washington engaged in preliminary conferences. Mr. Davies, who is the first chairman of the commission, called the first formal meeting imdemlately following the induction of the members into office. From that time OA the commission will he in daily session. No announcement as to? the first problem to be attacked has been made. Through the absorption of the Bureau of Corporations in the Commerce Department by the new commission, -a ?will Kn croflt. 1X8 worn UI urgituunni/u TTIU VB e. . ly simplified. The office staff and reooids of that bureau are transferred to the commission and furnish a work.* ing force already organized and equipped with much information as to the corporations with which the commission will deal. The declared purpose of the trade commission is to establish regulated competition among concerns engaged in interstate transactions. ENGLAND EXPLAINS BLOCKADE. Great Britain Tells How She Will Place Blockade on Germany. London.?Great Britain made known to the world iiNi. formal proclamation ___ _ signed^ f.Mtd is sued from Buckingham Palace how shp proposes to serer the arteries of sea commerce to and from Germany during the period of the war. The term "blockade" Is not used and no prohibited' area is defined. Nevertheless the text of the order makes plain England's purpose to prevent commodities of any kind from v? Cormonv Huring reacuiug ux luanug ???a the war. The last clause of the proclamation contains'the proposal most interesting to neutrals. This is a flat agreement to lift the "blockade" in case any nation will certify that" the ships flying Its flag shail not carry goods to Germany or goods originating therein or goods belonging to the subjects of the German empire. It is notable that the order declares no intention to capture ships proceeding to and from the countries of Germany's allies Austria and Turkey the reason being no doubt that the measure is avowedly a reprisal against Germany's submarine warfare. However, a cordon of ships will be maintained to shut off the commerce of German ports and regulate trade in the war zone, although ships voyaging eastward across the Atlantic, will, it is expected, be seized before they reach Ihp North Sea. 27,000 Jap* Embark For China. London.?The Daily Telegraph's Peking correspondent says he is able to assert on reliable information that 27,000 Japanese troops have embarked for China and that China is about to appeal to Great Britain. Detained German Vessel. Newport News, Va.?According to testimony given the Washington Government, Charles Frank, one of the members of the crew of the American ship William P. Frye, which was sunk by the German converted cruiser Prinz Eitel Frledrich is being held aboard the German warship in German uniform against his will. The circumstances of the case as communicated to Washington were revealed here by other members of the crew of the Frye who remain in Newport News. * Frank and Robert Rooge another of the Frye's crew it has developed, were placed in German uniform sev eral days before their comrades were released upon arrival at this port. All facts in the case have been submitted to the State Department at Washington, but no instructions so far as can be learned, have been received by officials here as to what course to pursure in the matter. The status of the situation devolves upon a sworn statement made to the co!lectort of the port here by E. W. Johnson of the illfated American ship and a comrade of frank who also is known as Frounth BIGGEST BATTLE OF ; IB IN PROGRESS GERMANS MAKING DESPERATE DRIVE AGAINST RUSSIANS IN NORTH POLAND. ! MORE THAN A MILLION MEN Half a Million Men Engaged on Each Side in Big Battle.?British Attacking in West. London.?Just as the French attacked the Germans in the West when Field Marshal von Hindenburg made his drive from East Prussia last fconth, so the British Army operating in CTanders has undertaken the task of relievine nressure on its Russian ally, now that the Russians again are being attacked in North Poland. This is part of the general plan of the Alll^l generals. When one is attacked the other attacks to compel the Germans and Austrians to keep strong forces at every point and endeavor to prevent them from sending new troops where they could do the most good. The Germans now are attempting to crush the Russians. For this purpose they are reported to have an army estimated at nearly a half million men marching along the roads toward Przasnysz. To prevent this army from 'being strengthened further the British are thrusting at the German line north of La Bassee and besides reporting the capture of the village of Neuve Chappells it is asserted that they have advanced beyond that town. The battle taking place in the East, experts say, js the biggest pitched baittie of the war, no less than a million men being engaged. The Germans in their official report claim an advance, while Petrograd considers it likely that the Russians will have to fall back beyond Przasnyz as they did last month, before making a stand. It nrobahlv will be days before a definite result is attained in this battle. Meanwhile another German army has appeared on the Pilica River front, south of the Vistula, probably, military observers say, with the idea of inducing Grand Duke Nicholas to withdraw men from the North, where the real blow is being struck. Farther south, along the foothills of the Carpathians, fighting between the Austrlans and Russians continues in wintry weather. Each side claims the other is doing the attacking but it is beHeved here, that as the Austrlans initiated this battle, they probably are still {he aggressors. MURDER pRft[TKIPKIT Star* And Stripes Float Over Man Zapata Forces Kill Washington?John B. McManus, a prominent American in Mexico, was shot and killed in his home by Zapata troopers as they were occupying the Mexican capital after avacuation by Gen. Obregon's Carranza forces. Official dispatches from the Brazilian minister in Mexico City reporting the affair to the state department, say the American flag was floating over McManus' house and that his doors had been closed and sealed by the Brazilian consul. The Brazilian minister's dispatch indicated that the killing may have been one of revenge, for It was charged that when Zapata troops recently occupied the capital McManus had killed three of their number. The fact that the American flag had been hoisted over the house and the doors had been sealed by the consul of a neutral power was taken by the officials here to indicate that either McManus felt that he was in danger or that all foreigners were fearful of their safety with the entfy of the Zapata? troops and took steps for protection. The killing of the American is described in the official dispatches as having caused great emotion in the foreign colony. McManus originally was from Chicago. Japan Modifies Demand Pekln?Japan has definitely modified her attitude toward China in connection with her demands presented after occupation by Japan of the German concession of Kiao-Chow. Make Gasoline and Dyestuffs Washington?Secretary Lane announced after the Cabinet meeting that he had entered into a contract with private interests to build a $250, ouu plant to nouse tne invention or irr. Walter G. Rittnran of the Bureau of Mines, a process for the manufacture of gasoline, dyestuffs and explosives. Propose Prohibition in Alaska Juneau. Alaska?A bill providing for prohibition throughout Alaska was Introduced in the lower house of the territorial legislature. Mrs. John D. Rockefeller Dead. New York?Mrs. John D. Rockefeller died at the Rockefeller country home at Pocantico Hills, just outside gf Tarrvtown. She had been ill for some time. While Mrs. Rockefeller had been an Invalid for many months, her death came unexpectedly. Her husband and her son were at Orniond, Fla., and were advised early that her condition had taken a critical turn for the worse Mr. Rockefeller and his son immediately engaged a special train which left Jacksonville for New York. MECONOMf III APPROPRIATIONS . r MR. GILLETT CRITICISES DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS FOR SPENDING SO MUCH MONEY. ANOTHER PLAN IS-NEEDED Mr. Fitzgerald Says Tariff is Not to Blame For Shirking Income But Economy Is Needed. Washington.?Statements Issued by Chairman Fitzgerald of the house ap-1 proprlations committee ,and Representative Glllett, ranking Republican member, agreed that appropriations of the last session of congress totalled $1,115,121,409; that Contracts involving additional appropriations of $37,40Q,000 were authorized and that a treasury deficit Is probable. Chairman Fitzgerald's staement did not give the total appropriations (or for the entire Sixty-third Congress. Mr. Oillett placed it at $2,231,000,000 greater than that of the Sixty-second congress and $177,000,000 more than the last Republican congress appropriated. Mr. Fitzgerald estimated that shourd the condition of the treasury continue as at present until June 30, the total deficit would be $133,000,000 offset, however, by Income tax collections eatlmated at $80,000,000. Mr. Gillett asserted that the treasury has not been so empty since the Cleveland administration. Chairman Fitzgerald declared the tariff In no way was responsible and that until the outbreak of war. thp new law had proved an effective revenue producer. Mr. Gillett did not agree with that. Mr. Fitzgerald said,the effect of the war was world-wide and that as it goee on reduction of customs, imports and their revenue will continue. At sotne length he discussed the need of economy. "The finances of the Federal ernment must be readjusted," said he. "No more important problem wjll confront Congress when ft reassembles^ NEW DANGER 8ITUATI,ON8 ARlGE Anarchy Reigns at*Manzillo?-But Little Food. Washington.?While conditions r Mexico City have improved with JM food and water supply replenished^? the Capital placed in order byj^H Villa-Zapata government, stttatjH fraught with difficulties forJheJJfiiH Steli<w government ffa v e artselT^F? greso, the East coast port and' ? Manzillo, on the Pacific. The Amen can consul at Manzillo reports a cojfl dttion of anarchy there. Foreign?^ are apprehensive, he declares and.the rood supply is decreasing, wmie vunr Zapata troops are investing the town's approaches. Admiral Howard, oom-i manding the Pacific fleet is repoftejd ready to take foreigners away If conditions do not improve. Progresso, the port from which virtually all the sisal hemp used for American binding twine is shipped, has been ordered closed to foreign commerce by General Carranza. Coal Steamer Torpedoed. Bordeaux, via Paris.?The steamer Auguste Conseil from Cardiff for Ronen with a coal cargo, was torpedoed by a submarine off the Start Point near the southern extremity of Devon, England. The crew of 28 men is reported to have been saved by a Danish steamer and taked to Falmouth. Big Fire at Norfolk. Norfolk, Va.?A mammoth lumber shed, the machinery building and about 2,000,000 feet of lumber were destroyed by fire at the plant of the Atlantic Coast Lumber Corporation at Money Point, three miles outside the city limits. Reward for Sinking Transport. T^inzie. via London.?A Leipzig citizen has offered a second reward of $750 to the crew of the German submarine which sinks a British troop transport. The first gift of a similar nature already has been distributed. No Reply From Commander. Newport News, Va.?Port authorities are awaiting instructions from Washington regarding representations to be made to Commander Thierichens of the German converted cruiser Prinz Eitel, concerning the detention of Charles Frank and Robert Rogge, members of the crew of the American sailing ship William P. Frye sunk January 28. Sworn statements that one of these men is being detained against his will have been made to the Collector of the Customs by other members of the Frye's crew. Four British Steamers Torpedoed. London.?The submarine lJ-29, one of the largest and fastest of German underwater craft, has had a successful three days off the Scilly Islands and in the English Channel, where she sank four British steamers and one French steamer and damaged three others. The German commander gave the crews of most of the steamers time to leave their ve-sels and in some cases towed the ships lileboats with the crew. The U-29 was chased by patrol boats, but proved too elivtive lor her enemies. jCOMMANDER TELLS WHY HE SANK IP i-' *? REPLY NOT MADE PUBLIC BUT WILL CLAIM CARGO WAS t .CONTRABAND. SAYS HE WILL NOT INTERN It la Hit Intention Sayo Commander to Return as Soon as He Thinks Repairs Are Completed. Newport News, Va.?Commander Thlerichsen of the converted cruiser Prinz Eitel Friedrich, which went into drydock for repairs, submitted two statements in German to Collector of Customs Hamilton of this port. One stated his reason for sinking in South Atlantic waters January 28 last the American sailing ship William P. j1 Frye and with her cargo of 5,200 tons of wheat consigned to Queenstown. The other related to he length of time that will be required to repair his ship, j Collector Hamilton announced that he regarded the answers of the German commander as state papers and that he would forward them to Washington. It was learned, however, that the commander of the German ship frankly has stated to American Government officials that he sunk the . American ship Frye because he re garded her cargo as contraband or war. In the communication relating to the repairs necessary on the Eitel Friedrich, it was believed that the German commander stated that the vessel could be xpade seaworthy within a few days or a week at most. Whether he ;made the statement that he wished to depart as coon as American naval offlcere could pass on repairs that are to be made ^ras not disclosed. The Ger* man cominander previously made it clear, however, that it v ,s not his intention to intern his ship. As, to-the conditions of Eitel Fredrich it was reported that whereas she had been making 18 knots an hour at the beginning of her historic wreckJag cereer of merchant belligerents in 1 two oceans, she scarcely dared make when she reached American waters. [After the Qerman cruiser went into : driydoek she discharged the crews of . British and Russian ships she had r Sphk, having released the American cmw. The French crews left on the JjjiLDomlnlon Line for New York. A ^Russians went with them. The crews plan to return to Ehg British ships laden with horses ^vyhierichseu assured of- 1 Bre that neither he, officers nor fl H? the Bitel Friedrich would set American soil except on olll^|Tsiness. He made this statement i "Collector Hamilton after stating | tut it was his Intention not to Intern rh It ship. i jr u MU8T KEE.P RAILWAY OPENt A nerican Note to Carranza Gives 8trlct Orders. Washington.?The United States sett another note to General Cerran' zann reply to hls.response last night totthe notice that he and General Obrepon would be held personally re.n>?niKin tnf tho ca fotv nf A mprlcftnfl DJIHUOiUlv iwi vuv ?w?.w^ v. . an^ other foreigners in Mexico. This latest note is understood to hate emphasized 'the importance of Kedping railway communication open between the Capital and Vera Cruz. . It i ras dispatched so quickly after the rec ifpt of Carranza's reply that the United States had determined in ad-vat :e to make representations for the unr jstricted passage of Americans and other foreigners from Mexico City to ^ era Cruz. Cirranza's denial that General Obregcn had Intended to incite the popalation of Mexico City or to prevent the entrance to the capital of food' supplies was followed in the note whidh went forward by a request that if this were true trains should be furnished to carry freight into the city. The note also, It is believed, called attention to the reports of an early evacuation of Mexico City and again asked for arrangements to police the city before Obregon's forces withdraw. British Victorious In France. London.?The arrival of the German auxiliary cruiser Prinz Eitel Friedrich at Newport News, removing for a time at least another menace to British shipping and the success of British troops in the region of La Bassee claim attention in the British Isles. Whether the Prinz Eitel will be interned or again will set out for the high seas, it is considered that her career as an armed cruiser must come to an end, for should she be allowed to sail, it is belidved Allied cruisers on the watch will account for her. America Will Make Protest. Washington.?Unless the German j government voluntarily offers to make ! restitution for the destruction of the I : "Mn EVvn onni.- hv the eon. American cmp . ... v. ~ verted cruiser Prinz Eitel Friedrich in the South Atlantic and expresses regret or the occurrence strong protest will be made by United States with a request for reraration. No announcements concerning the case probably will be made, high officials said until after an investigation of all the facts had been completed a searching inquiry will be conducted. GERMAN CRUISER AT NEWPORT NEWS PRINZ EITEL FRIEDRICH, AFTER SCOURING OCEANS ENTERS PORT. AMERICAN VESSEL A VICTIM / Cruiser Carried 300 Prisoners: Americans, British, French and Russians ?A Problem. Newport News, Va.?The German auxiliary cruiser Prinz Eitel Friedrich, after a marine wrecking scouring of Pacific and Atlantic Oceans which culminted in the 'sinking of an American sailing ship in the South Atlantic Ocean January 28 hast limped into this port and anchored for supplies and repairs. She brought with her rescued crews and passengers of American, British, French and Russian ships and lies at anchor in Hampton Roads proud of her trophies of war that crunch the bottom of the sea but in a state of mechanical exhausting from the strain of a 5,200-mile journey. The German cruiser began her scouting for the ships of the enemies of the Fatherland at Tslng Tsau, China, last November under mastership of Commander ThieTlchens and put ^nto this historic port with the admitted sinking of eight merchant ships, three British, three French, one Russian and one American. The sinking of the American ship, the William P. Frye, a sailing vessel bound from Seattle to Queenstown with 55,000 tons of wheat, most concerned American port officials here and the Washington Government. H. H. Kiehne of Baltimore is the master Of the American ship and after leaving the Eitel Friedrich with Customs Collector Hamilton he told A A Mn a Arrr f\1 Ma ATnofianPP a ui aumviu okvi/ vi uw v?yv*M>?*wv. With him were his wife and two children. "Despite my protestations that I was the American master of an American ship, the Oerman cruiser Eitel Friedrich sank the William P. Frye on the mdrning of January 28, blowing a gaping hole through her vitals with a charge of dynamite," said Captain Kiehne. ' . . When the German cruiser entered this port all souls on board were in good' humor and admitted that they had been well cared for. The cruiser might well have been flying many flags because she had on board Germans, Frenchmen, Russians, Englishjyr. - Trtjrtitcam, Nortli Americans,' ^uth Americans', Portuguese, Chinamen, and others, all except the ship's officers and crew being captives of vessels which the cruiser had captur ? it- ? iU. ea ana budk in ut wtuera ui uio x aciflc and the Atlantic. There were men, women, children and a litter, of puppies, born while the ship was envoyage. The captives had been allowed to bring their belongings on board and these were piled on the decks here and there while emigrant women squatted around, some with infant children in their arms. Boys and girls played in and out between parcels of baggage and made merry, while an infant only a few months old slept quiet ly in its mother's arms. Collector Hamilton has requested the commander of the German vessel not to use his wireless apparatus while in port. Collector Hamilton will permit to be landed and delivered to the port authorities to be forwarded to New York some hundred and fifty sacks of mail taken from the steamer Floride, when it was bound from Havre to South American ports. Collector Hamilton is under instruc tions to permit all passengers on tne Eltel Friedrich to land under the direction of the immigration authorities. Immigration Tide Turns. Washington.?For the first time Id American hsitory the tide of immigration has been turned back toward Europe. Statistics announced by Commissioner Caminettl show the change caused by war came in December when the number of emigrant aliens leaving the United States was greater bq 2,240 than the total entering. Powerful Fleet Near Mexico. Washington.?Secretary Daniels issued a statement on the condition of the Atlantic fleet and its auxiliaries now manuevering in Mexican Gulf and Carribean waters. It follows: "Vovpr hefnre in the history of our navy has such a powerful fleet been assembled for active service, maneuvers and target practice with guns and torpedoes, as that based on Guantanamo, Cuba, for the last two months, under the command of Rear Admiral Fletcher, commander-in-chief of the Atlantic fleet. "Based also on Guantanamo Bay is the cruiser squadron, consisting of two armored cruisers and seven light cruisers and gunboats, the various unitB of which have been operating in the vicinity of Haiti, Santo Domingo, and the east coast of Mexico. "The vessels comprising this fleet are ready for any service and are accompanied by repair ships, supply ships, fuel ships, carrying coal, oil and supplies for an extended period. At Key West the reserve torpedo flotilla consisting of 10 destroyers and a tender, have been engaged in extended operations. 1 ~ ' WEATHER FORECAST. Movements Due and Their Local Effects For the Cotton 8tates, March 21 to 28, 1915. National Weather Journal. Sunday. March 21?Th week will open with moderately warm temperatures, in the South and with increasing cloudiness, especially in Western and Middle Belt. Monday, March 22; Tuesday, March 23; Wednesday, March 24? Cool wave is due to overspread the Western Cotton Belt Monday, accompanied by snow well into Texas and by rain in the remainder of Western and Middle Belt, bringing light freezing temperatures over the Northern half of Texas, with frosty temperatures nearly to the Texas Coast. but onlv moderate fails of temperature elsewhere in the South. It is not expected to * clear in Texas, so that actual froBts should be generally avoided. Thursday, March 25 to Sunday, March 28-?General rains in the South Wednesday and Thursday will precede Cool Wave, tfhich will clear the weather in Western Cotton Belt by Friday and in the remainder of the South by Saturday. Frosts are indicated for this movement as far South as Houston, Texps and in the Northern halves of the other Oulf States, except Florida, where no frosts are probable from it ISTATE ITEMS OF INTEREST TO ALL 80U7H CAROLINA PEOPLE f I ' Fire destroyed two large frame buildings of the Harby-Epperson eta- ^ . j*' bles, Sumter, together with a quan- ?c>:' tlty of feed and some score of mules N* and horses. The total loss la expected to run about $16,000 with some insurance. , Two dispensaries were abolished, a curtailment in salaries aggregating $3,180 the year were made and elections were held of dispensers, clerks *. and headquarters employes, at the ' . meeting of the new Richland county ^ dispensary board. Gov. R. I. .Manning addressed a crowd of more than 200 men at Central Y. M. G, A. at Greenville. The . governor spoke on the Y./M. C. A. as an asset to the community. He expressed bis deep interest in Y. M. C. A. work. Secretary Houston of the national deparmtenf of agriculture has accepted an Invitation to deliver an address at the centennial celebration of the ,v, Pendleton Farmers' Society next Oc- . "-unoaiHw" -'fa^rn. received in' Columbia from W. M . J&H5T president of Clemson College. ^ : There are live demonstration orchards in Orangeburg county under the supervision of the county demonstration forces and Prof. Nlven of Clemson college. These orchards will be properly pruned and sprayed fn season %nd the farmers in these respective communities will have the , chance to get first band Information egarding orchard woyk. Theodore Gaillard Croft, M. D., of Aiken, one of the most substantial citizens of South Carolina, died at a Columbia hospital, tc which he was brought more than a week ago from ffis home. Death was not unexj>ect- % ; ed, as it became apparent to the attending physicians and the family, soon after he was stricken recently* wit ha deadly malady, that there was no hope for the life that had been lived so usefully. The aDuointment of Congressman Johnson as Judge In the new judicial dnstrict has opened up a new congressional campaign in the fourth district. Joseph Collins, aged 74, a Confederate veteran of Spartanburg, died renently at the Soldiers' Home,in Columbia. Formative plans were outlined at the Chamber of Commerce for the annual reunion of South Carolina Confederate veterans, to be held in Co- . lumbia late in April or early in May, when a joint meeting of the convention committee from the Chamber of Commerce was held with a representative committee from Camp Hampton U. C. V. The executive committee will hold another session when a denflnlte date will be fixed and a complete system of committees appointed and put in motion. Five ice wagons, a coal dumping cart and a wooden stable, owned by the Columbia Ice and Fuel Company, were destroyed by fire in Seaboard park. The loss is covered by insurance. The Southern Express Company has notified all agents in souin Carolina to endeavor t oeoraply strictly with the provisions of the so-called "gallon-a-month" law, which becomes effective March 12. The law makes it necessary for the person ordering liquor to apply in person for it at the express*ofTice. It also limits the individual to on# gallon fer'month. The executive committee of the Tri-State Water and Light Association of the Carolinas and Georgia met in Columbia to consider matters pertaining to the next annual convention, which will be held in Asheville, June 16. 17. 18 and 19. The report of the vital statistics bureau indicates that during the month of January there were 47 births in. Chester county and 38 deaths. This county was in Class B in the matter of births, showing a rate of 18.5 per cent. In the matter of deaths it was In Class B likewise, with a percentage of 14.9.