Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

MARKET FOR WHEAT. WATUl II M i: FHOM COLUMBIA TO HALTIMOHK. i'r..irr, i ? itjin. Sale* Condition*?In? ducement* art* Offered for Shipment of CJraJu by Way of ticorgetov* u Comp'etlon of Terminal Hoad with Hallway* Is Souk lit. Columbia. June 1.?A movement to jure an all water rate from Colum? bia to Baltimore to handle the surplus wheat crop in South Carolina was dls ?usned yesterday at an extended con? ference held in the offices of the state department of agriculture. Those at? tending ths conference were of the ?pinion that as little wheat as posslblo should be shipped from the State. It was also brought out that, If acre is a surplus, then some means must be speedily found to dispose of it out aide of the State on a cash basis. Among those attending the confer? ence were: Commissioner Watson. O. A. Uulgnard, manager and owner of the Columbia boat line; Mason I* Wsams Williams of Baltimore, gen? eral manager of the Baltimore & Car? olina Steamship company, operating between Georgetown and Baltimore; H. K. Cooner. owner of the Adluh Stilling company, which operates the only grain elevator In Columbia, and Norton Monaarrat. rate expert of the 1 dumbla Chamber of Commerce. Several weeks ago, realizing that there would prdbahly be a surplus of wheat this year. Commissioner Wat? son took up the matter of disposing of the crop with ths grain exchange, the Chamber of Commerce and sev? eral exporters of Baltimore. He was Inforsasd that Baltimore offered a snoot excellent market .especially for ?sport business. The next problem was that of securing cheap transpor? tation. Negotiations were then en? tered Into with Mr. Williams and others to secure a low water rate from Columbia to Baltimore, gince then much Information has been gathered and If the plans are carried out an exceptionally low rate will be ob? tained. The promoters of the movement plan to use the river boats from Co? lumbia to Georgetown. The Baltimore steamship company, through its rep mtatlve agreed to furnish 'wheat which hold 200 pounds each and are easily transferred from one boat to another. sir. Oulgnard said that the term* Inal railroad had been completed to Oranby landing, but that physical con? nection with the railways entering Co? lumbia had not been made. Mr. Monaarrat was Instructed to file a pe? tition today with the railroad com? mission, asking that the establishment of such connection be ordered. This would enable ths farmera to bring their grain to the elevator here and then ship It direct to the Baltimore market by the two boat lines. "We must b? abac to meet reship plng competition and Western ship? ments In Baltimore." said Commis? sioner Watson. It is estimated that South Caro? lina wheat crop this year will go about 1.600,000 bushels. This crop must be moved to the market during the next several weeks. Samples of South Carolina wheat have been for? warded to the dealers In Baltimore. In case of a surplus we will have to look to the Kast and to export.' said Mr. Watson yesterday, "and it was for this reason that the matter was taken up with the Baltimore deal? ers Mr. Williams will return to Balti? more today and will handle the situ? ation further from tin i ? Una of the large grain dealers, writing ('ommlnalouei- Wat.ton recent If. concerning the Baltimore market, said For your information we will state that all grain handled hero Is bought snd sold up n l i It I more grades, and It would Ixj necessary for the grain to \m inspected by the official inspec? tor of ths Baltimore Chamber of Com? merce on atfflVal here. "As most of your * uppers would in all probability St Inexperienced In handling grain, without the i Information In regard to ths various gradss. ws believe that a ning. at least, it would be fur nor. to your benefit If they would consign thl* grain to he no hi for their account In this way the com to ImmIom mer |hant receiving the grain would look irefully after ths grading and WStgh biW. und In soiling if. would sell it on th*A official grade, and by the official welgjht of the I'barnl-ei of OggagaOfag ths 'ahlpper In thm way being pro? tected^ by the Inspection and weight certificates, slso by the official quo? tations *m date of wale < i rrtoH I Hop REPORT, < million Boitrr Than l.n*t Year at Snggg rime Washington. lUne 1.?The govern? ment crop report on the condition of the cotton crop r?n \[,lV J .th. Issue today, makes it eighty per cent, tsj normal, sgalnst seventy-four and three-tenth* ln??? fSSSj ORDERS SHIPS SUNK. NO IXTKRNEH G10 KM AN VKS8KL CAN MAKK ESCAPE. Allege*! IMan t<? Mock llarlM>r of New York Bring* Determined Order From Washington, According to New York Herald?Inspectors aiv Busy. Naval officers in New York city were intensely interested Saturday, according to the New York Herald, in unexpected orders that came from Washington to sink any German ship that attempts to leave that harbor. The orders were based, it was learn edj, upon reports submitted to gov ernment officials in Washington that In the event of hostilities between this country and Germany an effort will be mado at once to bottle up New York harbor by sinking at an advantageous spot in the Narrows one or more of the big German steamships that have been tied up at Hoboken piers since tho European war began. It also was admitted that the same ordors regarding German steamships attempting to leave the port were transmitted to the commanders of all the forts that guard New York City. Just where the information camel from upon which tho orders were issued could not be lenrned, but it Is known drflnltoly that a rigid investi? gation has been in progress almost from the time President Wilson's for? mal protest against the sinking of the Lusltanla went to Berlin. This Investigation has been participated In by approximately one hundred Sec? ret Service operatives who were sent from Washington; praclcally every customs Inspector and guard who could be spared from other duties to take part In the work, and a large corps of special agents of the depart? ment of justice. No effort was made in responsible quarters to conceal the fact that the reports submitted from these several sources maintained that there was a real basis for fear that Germany has decided already upon a way to isolate New York City, at least temporarily, In the event of a break In relations with the United States. The state? ment that the sinking of the Vater? land, the largest steamship afloat, lead perhaps others of the German I commercial fleet held in New York I harbor, to bar passage through the I Narrows would be embraoed In th3 I first German effort, has been believed I in Washington as a result of the verl I flcatlon offered by the unusually large I corps of investigators. I The orders received regarding the I conduct of officers of both army and I navy could not be mistaken. They 1 were simply to sink any German ves I sei that did not immediately respond I to an order to stop. I Bolstering this information, it was I learned that orders likewise have I been issued to deny clearance papers I to any of the German vessels now tied I up in the port of New York. Inas I much as no application for such pa I pers has been made by any of tho I ships since vithln a few days after I tho actual beginning of hostilities I abroad, no other explanation than I that a dash for the sea was contem I plated by one or more of tho ships I could bo offered of the order. , The receipt of the orders followed Ian Investigation begun on May 12. II ?n that day the "neutrality squad," I ordinarily composed of twelve cus I toms inspectors and guards, suddenly I was increased to seventy. In the I middle of the afternoon, and without I any explanation of their errand, IhOM I men were placed on board the coast Ik'uard tugs Hudson and Guide at tho I Mattery and started for tho piers in j Hoboken at which the German own led steamships have been tied up since I August. They went directly to the piers or I the Hamburg-American line and |hf I North German Lloyd line, which ad? join each other on the New Jersey I front of the Hudson river. Every I possible effort was mado to keep fOO? I ret their mission. They remained I away for about four hours and in I that time it subsequently was learned I they a*Ofl1 OYOI every Inch of the plori I ami the I>1< ships that liavt> been tied ItO IbOM sine?, the war began. Just at that time several apparent I ly unfounded reports were In circula? tion. On* irai t<? the effect that. I with the feeling against Germany In I this ei ?try. the scheme t ben was, in I the event of the eudden development J'?f a state of war between Ihc United Ititatea and Germany, to drive the. IVaterlaad tnd tho other interned |?hlps otll Into the river for their full I length :>'ui sink thorn, At that time I the Atlantic fleet. awaiting review by Ithe president, was at anchor further Lip ihe river, it was argued thai with four <?r I live of the Oer man owned ships .sunk in the river an effectual blockade would be ootabllahod thai would bold the Reel Inolde New York harbor long enough to furnish a serious problem and give to Germany a chance to gel In shape for whatever ?ubeequenl moves she desired tu make, Another report, which never PENALTY STATUTE INVALID. south OAROUNA r AW ANNUMj Kl) IN pakt. V. S. Supreme Court Holds 10 I>uy Seet Ion of No Foree In Interstate Commerce Disputes. Washington., June 1.?The supmere court today annulled, so far as it ap? plies to interstate commerce, the South Carolina statute penalizing railroad companies $50 for failure to pay within 40 days claims for loss of shipments. Following is the section which haB been declared unconstitutional, in so far as it relates to interstate ship? ments: "Section 2573. G. S. 912. Every claim for freight overcharged or for loss of or damage to property and baggage, while in the possession of such common carrier, shall be ad? justed and paid within 30 days in case of shipment wholly within this State and within 40 days in case of shipment from without this State, af? ter the tiling of such claim with the agent of such carrier at the point' of destination of such shipment. When there is no agent at such point then such claim to be filed with the agent at the nearest station to such point of ib-stlnatlon having an agent: Provided, That no such claim shall be tiled un? til after the arrival of the shipment, or of some part thereof, at the point of destination, or until after the lapse of a reasonable time for the arrival thereof. In every case such common carrier shall be liable for the amount of such loss or damage, together with Interest thereon from the date of the filing of the claim therefor until the payment thereof. Failure to adjust and pay such claim within the periods respectively herein prescribed shall subject each common carrier so fall? ing to a penalty of $50 for each and every such failure, to be recovered by any consignee or consignees ag? grieved in any court of competent Jurisdiction; Provided, That unless such consignee or consignees recover in such action the full amount claimed no penalty shall be recovered, but only the actual amount of the loss or damage, with interest as aforesaid: Provided, further, That no common carrier shall be liable under this act for property which never came into its possession if It complies with the provisions of section 2572, volume 1, of the code of laws of South Caro? lina. 1912. "That any common carrier, upon complying with the provisions of this act, shall have all the rights and remedies herein provided for against the common carrier from which It received the freight in question. "That causes of action for the re? covery of the possession of the prop? erty shipped, for loss or damage thereto and for the penalties herein provided for, may be united in the same complaint. "Sec. 2576, G. S. 1912. Any ac? tion to recover a penalty for the loss delay or damage to freight against any common carrier may be brought in any county in this State where the cause of action for the damage in such case may ho brought before any court of competent jurisdiction." Dallas, Texas. June 1.?Throe adults and three children were killed and nineteen Injured late last night when a large passenger auto truck went over a high enbankment five miles east of this city, returning from a concert by the Mozart Choral club. was found to have had any basis in fact, was that an attempt had been made to blow up the Vaterland by a bond) that was said to have been thrown through one of her portholes and which failed to explode. Certain it is, howevei, that tho government agents did report that a German reservist had declared in a Hoboken saloon that Germany had no fear of any of the ships now in New York harbor ever being selSOd by this country. This man, the gov? ernment agents reported, positively ?lid say the ships would be sunk be? fore any such action could bo taken by this country. Just when the orders that were re? ceived were formulated could not be learned definitely. The orders, how? ever, were unusually specitlc. They stated without equivocation that, in the event of s German ship seeking to leave the harbor without permis? sion the ships stationed in the lower bay to prevent violations of neutral? ity were to tire directly at the bridge. It was specifically stated that blank shot were not to bo tired. If the dmt at the bridge was not effective in bringing the vessel to a stop, then the orders stated that slm should be sunk without any further effort to stop her. The orders to the forts, it was declared, were the same in every ' respect, At present the navy vessels are on duty at the entrance to the port to see that Iber?' Is no violation of the presidents neutrality proclamation. They are ths gunboal Dolphin and the destroyers Parker und Downess, CRISIS DBMS MM. NEXT NOTE TO GERMANY WILL FORCE THE ISSUE. President Wilson Will Demand an Un? equivocal Reply as to Whether Germany Will Abide by Internation? al Law in Future or Will Continue Policy of Savage Warfare in Disre? gard of Neutral Rights. Washington, June 1.?President Wilson determined today that the United States must ascertain definite? ly and promptly from Germany whether that country intends in the future to be guided by the accepted principles of international law and the rights of neutrals or to follow its own rules of maritime warfare. The president listened to a varied expression of opinion at a meeting of his cabinet, taking little part In the discussion himself. Later he began the preparation of a note to be dis? patched before the end of this week, embodying his own Ideas and what seem to him the consensus of his of? ficial family. The verdict of a majority of the cabinet was that the German reply toj the American note following the sink? ing of the Lusitania was unresponsive and unsatisfactory, disregarding the *?ood will of the United States, doubt? ing its facts and disclaiming all blame for the destruction of the merchant? man with American lives. The ques? tions of fact raised by Germany were regarded as irrelevant at this time. The trend of opinion was that the United States must learn soon wheth? er Germany Intends to recognize the hitherto accepted principles that neu? trals may travel anywhere on the high seas on unarmed merchant ships, even If carrying contraband, and that a merchantman which does not resist capture must be visited and searched and the passengers and crew transferred to a place of safety be? fore the vessel is destroyed. An unfavorable answer to this in? quiry would lead, it was predicted in official quarters ,to a severance of dip? lomatic relations on the ground that the United States could not continue intercourse with a government which repudiated these principles. Steps then would be taken to inform Amer? icans of the dangers to which they were exposed as a result of this action and such measures as necessary adopted to safeguard the lives and interests of citizens of the United States. ? Should Germany accept the prin? ciple in a way that would constitute a guarantee for the future .the Ameri? can government would reiterate its demand for a "strict accountability" for violations of ihtl principle and tho killing of Americans on the Lusi? tania, Tho decision to "base the Amerian note on the principles of Interna? tional law, to obtain an affirmative or negative reply, and not enter into a technical discussion of details raised in the German communica? tion, was tho single development of the cabinet council. Some members favored even excluding any reference to the facts asked for by Germany, settling first the point as to whether Germany intended to disregard tho American warning of last February that it would insist upon the exercise of the right of visit and search with j respect to vessels on which Americans ; were traveling. One cabinet officer believed tho Aferlcan government should enter into investigation of the points raised by the German answer, submitting it** proof and giving tho German gov? ernment an opportunity to do like? wise. Others, however, declared that such a process would mean only do lay and in the event of a deadlock on facts, would leave tho United States, which had already assured It? self of the authenticity of Its infor? mation, and whose good faith was at stake, without remedy for tho pres? ent or future, attacks on American vessels having been committed, not? withstanding assurances to the con? trary. The opinion was general that the United States would restate that the Lusitania was unarmed and would Ignore such questions as to whether the carriage of ammunition is a vio? lation of American law. Tomorrow Count von Bemstorff, the German ambassador. will call on President Wilson. The ambassador requested the interview. He declined to say tonight what he proposed to discuss, in well informed quarters the belief was expressed that while the ambassador's visit might not af? fect the forthcoming note, what the president might say informally to the ambassador would be transmitted to the German government and be taken Into consideration when the Ameri? can communication is delivered In Herlin. In some diplomatic quarters close to the German embassy, it was said tonight thai the ambassador would seek to elicit from President Wilson bis views on bow Germany could con? duct her submarine warfare without Interfering with neutrals, and might MM suggest the separation of passenger ||nd contraband traffic or the giving| BERNSTORFF TALKS TO WILSON VISIT TO WHITE HOUSE EN? LIGHTENS GERMAN DIPLO? MAT ON AMERICA'S WILL. Report of Ambassador's Talk May Have Effect in Bringing Wilhclm strasse to Realization of Strength Of United Sitae?* Position. Washington, June 2.?President Wilson emphasized in an informal talk with Count von Bernstorff, the German ambassador, today, the In? tense feeling of the American people over the sinking of the Lusitania and other violations of American rights on the high seas, and impressed on him that the United States would insist on an adherence by Germany to the accepted principles of international law as they affect neutrals. No announcements were made after the conference, which had been arranged at the ambassador's request, but it was stated authoritatively that there would be no change in the plain to send, in response to the German reply to the Lusitania note, an in? quiry to ascertain definitely whether the imperial government will abide by international law or follow its own rules of maritime warfare. The note, which is being written by President Wilson, will be dispatched before the end of the week. In 20 minutes' conversation the president and the ambassador ex? changed views on the delicate situa? tion which has ailsen in the relations between the United States and Ger? many. Their meeting was cordial, their conversation friendly, and they discussed fundamentals and not de? tails. Count von Bernstorff later tyold friends that the interview had been satisfactory and that the president had spoken clearly and frankly. The ambassador felt hopeful when he re? turned to his embassy. He believed the report which he prepared for transmission to Berlin would en? lighten the German foreign office on the true state of the American gov? ernment's opinion and pave the way to a better understanding. In official and diplomatic quarters opinion was divided as to the effect of the conference. Some thought it would *be beneficial and bring from Germany a conciliatory reply to the next American communication. Oth? ers pointed out that the German am? bassador similarly was hopeful when President Wilson's note of May 13 was dispatched and he recommended several methods to the German for? eign office of meeting the American position satisfactorily. It is an open secret in diplomatic quarters, however, that the ambassa? dor's suggestions were not followed then, and speculation was wide? spread as to what influence his com? munication of today?expressing as it did the viewpoint of the president himself?might have on his govern? ment. In view of the difficulties which the embassy has experienced in communi? cating *vlth Berlin on account of the cutting of cables, it is understood the president granted a request of the ambassador that the United States assist him in transmitting his mes? sages concerning the delicate situa? tion that has arisen. The ambassa of assurances that the British gov? ernment would not arm its merchant? men carrying passengers. None of 'hose reported proposals, officials conversant with the position of the government indicated, would be considered until a definite acquies? cence by Germany in the fundamentals is obtained. Today's cabinet meeting Indicated that the government did not intend to yield any of the rights which neutrals hitherto have possess? ed, and that it would stand firmly on the position as outlined in previous notes. The cabinet devoted two and a half hours in discussion of the European and Mexican situations. The president saw some callers earlier in the day. He showed calmness and no signs of strain. As the cabinet assembled in the executive offices individual mem? bers by their attitude reflected the gravity of the situation. No announcements were made after the meeting adjourned. Expressions of confidence in the president came in telegrams from all parts of the country during the day. Members of the cabinet spoke of this, and declared that the president's views Of the entire problem was such that he could be depended upon in his action to maintain the honor and dignity of the country. Officials reiterated today that the United States had absolute proof that the Lusitrnla was unarmed?that de? tails of an investigation made by cus? toms inspectors at New York before the Lusitania sailed. the assurances of the British government that no merchantman would bo permitted to sail armed from the United States, and a report by Collector Malone on all the articles in the Lusitania's cargo. Including ammunition, were before the Washington government when the note of May W was written by the president. BERLIN WAITS ON AMERICA. PUBLIC AND FOREIGN OFFICE EXPECTANT. Writers of Rcventlow Type Denounce United States and Wilson's Poll* eles. Berlin, June 2 (via London, June 3).?Government officials and the general public are waiting expectant? ly upon the American developments in the exchanges of notes between Ger? many and the United States respect? ing the Lusitania, expectancy which is deepened by the fact that no trustworthy indications regarding tho American attitude on the eGrman an? swer are available here. The German foreign office is un? able to communicate with Count von Bernstorff, the ambassador at Wash? ington, except by wireless in plain language and even this mode of com? munication is uncertain during pe? riods when the static conditions of the atmosphere are unfavorable. Reports which the newspapers print are regarded with suspicion not, only because they come exclusively through British channels but on ac? count of their contradictory character. One set of reports intimates that the German counterproposals have been found to harmonize with Mr. Bryan's plan of providing for a period of in? vestigation in case of international conflict, while other advices repro? duce various American editorials, de? claring that the German note is ut? terly unacceptable and demanding that steps of varying degrees of ag? gressiveness be taken. Whjje waiting, the time Is being utilized by some of the more aggres? sive German newspapers, and writers of the type of Reventlow, to launch abusive articles against the United States and President Wilson's policy, but the press and public generally seem desirous to avoid anything which might increase the tension between the two governments while the Ger? man note is under consideration. In this they are acting in complete ac? cord with the foreign office, which apparently is sincerely anxious to pre? serve friendly relations with the United States and deprecates any publication which would tend to In? flame feeling either in Germany of America. There seems to be no doubt that the foreign office would rejoice at a solution consistent with German In? terests and it is considered here that one of the unfortunate incidents of the situation is the inability of the foreign office to cope with the chronic firebrands of the press. Washington, June 2.?Heavy rains from Pennsylvania to North Carolina caused the weather bureau tonight to issue flood warinngs for the rivers of the Carolinas. A storm off Hatteras and the Virginia coast tonight was moving northeastward, the bureau said. dor's report of his talk wfth the president will be sent in code through the state department and will be de? livered by Ambassador Gerard. The conference at the White House was the outstanding development of the day in the international situation. The president is understood to have explained the American government's position and to have reiterated that it was based on legality. It is believed tho ambassador was told that if the German government could conduct Its submarine warfare in acordance with the dictates of humanity, in a way that would not endanger the lives and property of neutrals, there would be no objection to the use of under? water craft as commerce destroyers. The exercise of the right of visit and search, however, the president is said to have explained, would be insisted on when submarines encounter un? armed merchantmen or vessels which do not resist capture. In some well informed Quarters the conference was discussed as likely to lead to important results with respect to the general European situation. While the president, it is believed, in adherence to his expressed policy, would not talk of the relations of this country with Great Britain to tho Germar ambassador, the possibility that a return to interntional law by all the belligerents might eventually be accomplished by the efforts of the United Stater and thus pave the way for tho eventual restoration of DOOM in Europe was a suggestion widely current. In German quarters tonight opti? mism was apparent. The view was ex? pressed that the German reply did not purport to be a full answer to the American demands and that If the United States in its next note stated that Official investigation showed that the Lusitania carried no guns, it would not be surprising if this would be accepted by the German government furnishing the basis for the giving of reparation. The four affidavits presented to the state de? partment by the Herman embassy al? leging that guns were earrjed by the Lusitania are believed to be the evi? dence to which the German govern? ment referred In its last note.