Evening star. [volume], August 05, 1914, Image 1

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

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WEATHER.
Generally fair tonight and Thursday;
gentle northeast to southeast winds.
Temperature past 24 hour*? High. 80,
2:05 p.m. today. Low. 67, 6 a.m. today.
Full Report on Page Fifteen.
About every one in Washing
ton who reads at all reads JTi?
Star.
No. 19.670.
WASHINGTON, D. C., WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1914-EIGHTEEN PAGES.
ONE CENT.
GREAT LAND BATTLES
BETWEEN RIVAL ARMIES
OF EUROPE IMPENDING
Belgians Stoutly Resist German
Advance?Foe Seizes and
Bnrns Town of Vise
RUSSIANS DRIVE KAISER'S MEN
BEFORE THEM ON FRONTIER
Invaders Apply Brand to Several Villages?French Forces
Victorious Over Teutons?Neutrality of
Switzerland and Holland Violated
PARIS. August 5.?Armies of European nations now at war1
are nearing great battles, according to the belief generally expressed
in government circles today. German forces on Belgian soil are
being stoutly resisted. The forces of the kaiser are wiping out all
boundaries in their efforts to pursue their carefully laid out plans
of aggression against France. French forces are rapidly assembling
on the frontier to drive back all of the kaiser's troops which have
already crossed onto French soil and to meet the large German
armies now moving toward the line. Smaller battles are being'
fought between the Russian and German forces along the entire
boundary line.
The capture of the frontier Belgian town of Vise was effected
by German troops after an engagement lasting several hours. It
is stated that the victors set fire to the town, killing those of the;
population who resisted them.
The town of Argenteau is also in flames. One hundred thou
sand Germans are reported to be marching on Liege.
INVADERS NEARING LIEGE.
The Belgian government states in a dispatch that the German
troops, continuing their march, were today in the neighborhood of
Fleron, near Liege. They were out of range of the forts and evi
dently wished to reach the French department of Meuse by follow
ing the course of the river Meuse. The entire seventh and tenth
German army corps compose the invading force. The German ar
tillery bombarded some small forts in their advance.
The Belgian minister of war in an official statement said: "The
Belgians are successfully combating the German invasion. The
Belgian losses are trifling compared with those of the Germans."
RUSSIANS FORCE GERMANS BACK.
Russian troops have established contact with the enemy along
the greater part of the Russo-German frontier in northeastern Prus
sia. The Germans are reported to have fallen back and to be burning
villages over an enormous stretch of the country which they had in
vaded.
A Russian aeroplane, carrying a pilot and two Russian officers,
was sighted on the Russo-German frontier near Lemberg, an im
portant military station of Austria-Hungary, and was fired on by
Austrians. The machine crashed to the ground and the two officers
were killed.
An official announcement today says that seventeen Alsatians
while endeavoring to cross into France were captured by the Ger
mans and summarily shot.
A number of German soldiers on the French side of the frontier
were taken prisoners by the French and taken into Belfort.
A squadron of the nth French Dragoons stationed in Belfort
rendered funeral honors yesterday at Joncherey to a German lieu
tenant. the first victim of actual conflict between France and Ger
many.
Several hundred Alsatians, Swiss and Italians have enlisted here
and have demanded to be sent to the advanced outposts.
FRENCH FORCES WIN FIGHTS.
The French ministry of war today issued a communication stat
ing that German cavalry and infantry were crossing the French
frontier everywhere in reconnoitering parties. He adds:
"A squadron of German dragoons bore down on Villers-la-Mon
tagne in the department of Meurthe-et-Moselle. but was repulsed by
French riflemen.
"A regiment of German cavalry advanced as far as Morfontaine
department, but fell back before a body of French infantry.
"The French mobilization is proceeding with the greatest order.
Most of the reservists already have joined.
"An excellent spirit prevails in Alsace."
Santos Dumont, the famous aviator, offered his services today
to the French government.
The one-armed French general, Paul Pau, who fought in the
war of 1870, has been placed in command of one of the French
armies.
It is reported from Montbeliard, in the department of Doubs,
that the Germans have violated the neutrality of Switzerland.
The Germans also have invaded Dutch territory at Tilburg.
SERIOUS RIOTING IN ANTWERP.
Serious anti-German rioting occurred at Antwerp today. An an
gry mob sacked the German cafes and restaurants and tore the
escutcheon from the door of the German consulate. The police being
unable to check the disorders, the Belgian military government
placed the city under martial law and ordered the expulsion of all
German residents.
ASSASSIN SEEKS TO SLAY
CROWN PRINCE OF GERMANY.
l/ONDON. August I,o-<i Wintcrtori ! board tlx train tliat an attempt liail been
here yesterd:t\ from (?f?rrnan>. *>n the ii 1?? of the crown prince, and
? brought news of the attempted us.sa.s- a t' k^rain authorizing a search for
. ? 1 host? implicated in the affair.
- ? ? -' 11,j 1 of t- ? itow 11 "? 1 ::?<??? .
I : im?' Allien., second son of the king
r~cW"B ,h" '?'"??? foin .r, ne j and queen, a midshipman in the navy, is
??a:d. an official told the passengers on at sea with the fleet.
WAR NEWS OF THE DAY HERE AND ABROAD
SHOWS EXTREME ACTIVITY EVERYWHERE
FOREIGN
Reports of a naval engagement oil the Scottish
coast were declared untrue.
The German cable was cut today between Europe
and the Azores.
J
Preparations of British navy completed, and it was
announced government would acquire foreign war
ships under construction in Great Britain.
King George called for volunteers for the army.
German troops are reported to have entered
Dutch and Swiss territory.
Russian warships have captured a number of Ger
man merchant vessels in the Black sea.
Russian troops in contact with the German army
along the whole Russo-German border, while French
and Germans touched on the French frontier.
German warships captured in the Mediterranean
by the French fleet.
French authorities announced that seventeen Al
satians were shot by Germans.
An embargo was placed by Germany on Russian
funds in German banks.
DOMESTIC
President Wilson tendered offices of United States
to warring Europe to end conflict.
Belligerents' warships can use Panama canal after
August 15.
American Red Cross planning to send nurses and
medical men to Europe.
Twelve thousand reservists in New York await
transportation to Europe, most-being without funds.
Lusitania makes a dash from New York for Liver
pool. La Lorraine sailed for France.
Cruiser Tennessee sails tomorrow with gold coin
for Americans abroad.
Congress votes $2,500,000 to bring American
citizens home.
Bureau of engraving and printing is running day
and night to supply new currency.
Call issued today for cotton conference here
August 13-14.
McAdoo ships $100,000,000 in currency to banks.
Wilson signs emergency currency bill amendment au
thorizing unlimited issue.
EUROPEAN ENVOYS j
TO CONFER HERE
Secretary Bryan Calls Meeting
for All Diplomats Accred
ited to the U. S.
Secretary Bryan lias called a conference
of the diplomatic representatives of all
the European powers who are accredited
to the United .States.
The meeting: will take place at the State
Department late this afternoon, and it ;
is believed that message* will then be!
delivered to the diplomats supplementary j
to those of President Wilson, urging an.
acceptance of the tender bf the good j
officers of the government of the United j
States in the European crisis.
The Secretary also may take up with J
the diplomatic representatives various
questions which have come up in con
nection with the neutrality of the
United States in the conflict of the
powers. One question that may come
up is the neutrality of the German
owned wireless stations at Tuckerton,
N. J., and Sayville. L. I. This army gen
eral staff Is Investigating this ques
tion. Another question may be con
cerned with the large bodies of men
who have been gathered at various
points in the United States by Ger
man, French, Servian, Russian and
British representatives, for whom
transport preparations abroad are
being made.
Another neutrality proclamation in
cluding Great Britain and Germany,
not included in yesterday's pronounce
ment, was prepared for Issue today.
Mobs Destroy Embassy Buildings.
The Germany embassy building in
St. Petersburg and the Russian embassy
building in Berlin have been destroyed
by mobs, according to advices to the
State Department. One German em
ploye was killed in the attack in St.
Petersburg, said to have been made
by a mob inflamed by a report that the
Russian embassy in Berlin had been j
attacked. j
The State Department does not crcdit
the report of an attack on the Russian
embassy in Berlin. Its information
comes from St. Petersburg in diplomatic
dispatches.
Colville Barclay, charge d'affaires of
the British embassy, today asked that
the United States take over British
diplomatic interests in Berlin. Secre
tary Bryan instructed Ambassador
Gerard to do so. Oflicial notice that a
state of war exists between Great Brit
ain and Germany was communicated by
the charge on receipt of a telegram
from the British foreign office. English
naval reserves will immediately proceed
to England without further notice.
Six foreign envoys, who have been out
of the city during the early part of the
summer, are making hurried prepara
tions to return at once to Washing
ton. it was learned at the various em
bassies today. The Japanese ambassa
dor, Viscount Chinda, has arrived in the
city with his staff, and the ambassa
dors of Germany, France,- Austria-Hun
gary, Russia and England are reported [
expected at the various embassies j
! shortly. I
Considerable anxiety was f^lt ;it the
! Swiss legation yesterday, owing to the
fact that Dr. Paul Ritter, envoy from
Switzerland, was on board the Kron- ,
prinzessin Cecelie. The excitement was j
dispelled, however, l?y a telegram from j
Dr. Ritter announcing he was at Bar
I Harbor as a result of the treasure j
! ship having turned back to this coun
; try. He is expected at the legation j
? this afternoon or tomorrow morning.
Envoys Cut Vacations Short.
The ambassadors who have been
spending the summer at various fash
ionable summer resorts have cut their
vacations short more than a month
in order to be in Washington to han
dle the diplomatic relations of their
countries here during the early stages
of the war which is now enveloping
all Europe. They will be accompanied
by their entire staffs.
The English ambassador, Sir Cecil Ar
thur Spring-Rice, is in England and
it is possible that he will not return
for some time. During his absence the
embassy is in charge of Colville Bar
clay.
It has been a foregone conclusion j
that the United States would be neu- :
tral, and in this connection virtually!
only one problem has presented itself i
to the Washington government. This'
has been furnished by the activities
or" the diplomatic and consular agents
j <,i-pntinued on Second Page.;
WILSON OFFERS EUROPE
CHANCE TO MEDIATE
President Tenders Good Offices of United States
to End War and Arbitrate Causes
Leading to It.
PRESIDENT'S PEACE PROPOSAL.
"As official head of one of the powers signatory to The
Hague convention. I feel it to be ray privilege anil ray duly
i under article 3 of that convention to say to you in a spirit of !
most earnest friendship that I should welcome an oppor
j tunity to act in the interest of European peace cither now or
' any other time that might be thought more suitable, as an ,
occasion to serve you and all conccrncd in a way that would j
i afford me lasting cause for gratitude and happiness.
"WOODROXV WILSON."
In tendering his good offices to warring
Europe today, President Wilson took a
step that the majority of his intimate
friends believe will establish him high
In the opinion of the world when the
conflict is ended and gain for him the
support of American citizens generally.
But the action of the President was
not taken without opposition from in
fluential quarters within his administra
tion. Some of these advisers felt that
the President should do nothing at this
time, as it was a foregone conclusion that
his offers would be promptly rejected,'
and possibly not politely so by some of
the fighting nations.
Secretaries Bryan and Daniels stood out
strongly for a tender of good offices now,
while the majority of the cabinet either
opposed this step or were non-committal.
The Bryan-Daniels view coincided with
that of the President, who wasted little
time, since the cabinet meeting yesterday,
in getting ready to make the tender direct
to the great ruling heads of Europe.
Eyes on Germany.
From informal inquiries which Ameri
ca n diplomats have been making of
their own initiative for several days it
appeared probable to officials here that
England and France might accept the
tender of good offices. An acceptance
by Great Britain, it is presumed, would
mean similar action by her allies, Rus
sia and France.
All eyes here are turned on Berlin, where
it is believed the decision on mediation
really lies. Ambassador Gerard has been
conspicuously active since hostilities be
gan in his efforts to suggest some way
for a pacific settlement, and the general
trend of opinion in White House circles
was one of optimism.
The first step which the United States
would take in the event of a general ac
ceptance of its proposal would be to sug
gest a suspension of hostilities. This
would not involve any interruption or de
lay in mobilization or measures of prep
aration for war.
Phases of the political situation in
this country actuated some of the
President's advisers to warn against
United States taking chances on being
rebuffed at this time. It is recognized
on many sides that there exists a
pretty strong feeling throughout the
United States as to the great war
across the ocean. The President was
accused by his opponents of favoring
Great Britain in the Panama canal re
peal act. which he foreed through
Congress, and it was suggested that if
he entered the list of peacemakers at
this time there might b?' danger of
running counter to the great mass of
German voters in the United States
through the opportunity that would
be afforded political enemies again to
claim that he was trying to help one
side as against the other.
Outweighs Political Phase.
The President's overwhelming desire
to be ready to use his offices to re-es
tablish peace, however, outweighed
any political considerations, if they
were presented to him. His intimate
friends held today that by making the
tender at this time none of the powers
engaged or their sympathizers In this
country would be in position fairly to
charge hidden motives to him. They
hold further that if the President had
waited until one side or the other had
apparently bettered the other there
might have been apparently some
ground for a possible accusation of
wanting to play favorites.
Undoubtedly, according to diplomatists
and politicians, the position of President
Wilson and the United States when media
tion time arrives will be a delicate one.
As the leading nation of the world taking
a neutral position tlie United States natur
ally will be looked to to take the lead ,
in mediation, and all the nations of the [
western hemisphere will sympathize with
the efforts toward that end.
The outcome of mediation will leave
sore spots, though, and the national and
international effects may be far-reaching.
It was to avoid the difficulties and dangers
that are foreshadowed that some of the
President's advisers wished him to let af
fairs drift and make no tender, await- j
i ing the time when the nations at war, ex
hausted with the struggle and horritied
at blood, will turn to this country and
virtually invite the United States to un
dertake a settlement of the differences
that caused the struggle.
Wilson Gains Friends.
From a national viewpoint democrats
; are genuinely confident. The drift of
! everything in the last few weeks, they
I assert, has been toward popularizing
; the administration with the voters of
the country. The confident prediction
! was made by a high official of the ad
I ministration today, that the democrats
will have a walk-away in the Novem
ber congressioiiH 1 and other elections,
i if the- President and the leaders will
1 merely sit. tight, and prevent any com
plications "-rowing out of the European
war that will offend German-American
or other loreign-born citizens who are
voters in the United States.
That the President did not sit tight
in the tender of his offices to bring
about peace is disappointing to some of
them, but these said today that if the
administration took no further steps
and held off for solicitation from Eu
rope everything would turn out. all
right. They have been apprehensive
that something would turn up to spoil
I the political prospects which they
claim are so good for the party.
! The proffer of good offices was for
warded by Secretary Bryan to the
American embassies in the nations in
volved and through them transmitted
to W?e governments.
It was said at the White House that
no intimations had been received that
such an offer would be favorably re
ceived. President Wilson took the po
sition that the European war was so
stupendous and that its effect on the
entire world was liable to be so last
ing that the United States, as one of
the few large neutral powers, could not
do otherwise than at least offer to be
the means for bringing about peace.
The proffer of good offices was not
sent to the governments of Servia and
Montenegro because those countries
are not parties to The Hague conven
tion.
Effect of Offer. i
A hope that the President's offer |
might he accepted was prevalent ir. J
official rircles, because it is not neces
sary for any of the warring powers to
change the present military status if
they accept it. Article seven of The
Hague convention provides:
"The acceptance of mediation cannot,
unless there be an agreement to the
contrary, have the effect of interrupt
ing, delaying or hindering mobilization
or other measures or preparations for
war.
"If it takes place after the commence
ment of hostilities the military opera
tions in progress are not interrupted
in the absence of an agreement to the
contrary."
John Barrett, director of the Pan
American Union, who talked with
President Wilson today, thought that
all South America would be glad to
co-operate with President Wilson for
peace. South America will be badly
hurt by the war unless the United
States can get ships to supply the
countries there with the things they
have been getting from Germany and
other European countries, so Mr. Bar
rett told the President, and he urged
that the administration's plans to se
cure larger transportation be put to
work as fast as possible. i
Wot only, said Mr. Barrett, is tht |
(.Continued ot^Second Page.)
HEAVY GUNS HEARD
OFF MAINE COAST
Firing This Morning Reported
by Keeper of Ob
servatory.
PORTLAND. Me.. August 5.?The firing
of heavy guns off the Maine coast was
heard early today. Eight or ten shots
within two minutes were heard shortly
before 7 o'clock by the keeper of Port
land, -observatory. *
The sound seemed to come from a point
twenty-five or thirty miles south-south
east of Portland and probably in the vi
cinity of Scguin Island.
The reported firing was not heard by
the lifesavers at cither Cape Elizabeth or
Popham Beach stations. At Popham
Beach, which is near Seguin island, the
lifesavers were certain they would have
heard the puns if there had been a naval
engagement off Seguin.
Reports From All Sources.
Xo information was available at Bath
or Boothbay harbor, but in this city the
reports continued to come in from * all
sources that there had been heavy tir
ing. One of the newspaper offices re
: ceived at least 2<X> inquiries about it dur
ing the early forenoon.
Not Sea Fig-ht, Says Officers.
PORTSMOUTH. N. H., August 3.-The
heavy firing off the Maine coast, reported
from Portland, today, could not have j
been caused by a sea fight between for
eign warships, it was stated by officers!
at the navy yard here. The officers said
they were absolutely certain that no for
eign naval vessels were in the vicinity.
Foreign Warships in 17. S. Waters.
NEW YORK, August T?.?Eight crulscrs
?three German, three British and two
French?are hovering somewhere off this
coast. For days incoming steamships
have reported news of fragmentary wire
less indicating that these vessels were !
in American waters, but no skipper was
able to fix their position.
The. firing heard off the. coast of Maine
today may have marked the first en
gagement between either the German and
English or the German and French
ships. The British cruisers known to be
in American waters are the Berwick,
Essex and. Lancaster. The German
cruisers are the Dresden. Strassburg and
Karlshrue. The French cruisers are the
Conde and Descartes.
I/iners Have Escaped.
These vessels have been primarily con
cerned of late In attempts to intercept
merchant vessels of the enemy, and sev
eral big liners, notably the Kronprinzes
sin Cecilie, which put into Bar Ifarbor,
Me., yesterday after abandoning her
trip to Europe, have had narrow escapes.
Capt. Polack of the Cecilie believed that
at one time she was in imminent dan
ger of capture by one of the French
vessels.
The White Star liner Olympic managed
to creep safely into New York harbor
today, as did the North German Lloyd
liner Kaiser Wilhelm II. All have been
running with only masthead lights burn
ing.
The Lu?iitania of the <'unarfl line, a
British Ixrat, slipped out of the harbor
after midnight similarly darkened, hop
ing to be convoyed by some of the Brit
ish cruisers as far as Newfoundland,
and from there to be convoyed by some
other British ship until the other side
was reached.
The French steamer \enezia. in port
today from Marseilles. Naples and
Palermo, reported that yesterday she
overheard both German and British
cruisers talking with the wireless sta
tion at Sayville. L. I. The text text of
the messages was not obtainable.
The Venezie steamed ten miles south
of her usual course in order to avoid
capture by an German warships. Her
operator was warned not to send any
wireless messages.
The Uranium line steamer I ranium ar
rived today from Rotterdam, via Halifax.
EMBARGO ON RUSSIAN FUNDS.
Germany Regards Bank Balances as
Belonging to Hostile Nation.
BERLIN, August 5.?An embargo today
was laid on Russian balances at the
great banks in Germany.
These funds are considered by Ger
many aj property belonging to ? hostile
force.
BRITAIN'S WAR DECREE
BRINGS FIVE POWERS
INTO GREAT CONFLICT
Germany Rejects Firm Demand
That the Neutrality of Bel
gium Be Maintained.
ENGLAND'S MILITARY MOVES
. ARE SHROUDED IN SECRECY
Seizes Kaiser's Steamers as Prizes of War?Volunteers
Requested for Army?Arranges for
Hospitals on North Sea
LONDON, August 5. ? Although five of the great European
powers?Austria. England, France, Germany and Russia?arc at war
and millions of men on land and sea are under arms and ready to
strike, developments of prime importance were few today.
Great Britain's declaration of war on Germany and the kaiser's
declaration against Great Britain were issued last night.
Premier Asquith today announced that the British government
would ask for another credit of $500,000,000 tomorrow. It was offi
cially stated that Viscount Morley and John Burns had resigned from
the cabinet.
The momentous war decision of the British government, for
which the whole world has been waiting, came before the expiration
of the time limit set by Great Britain in her ultimatum to Germany
demanding a satisfactory reply on the subject of Belgian neutrality.
Germany's reply was the summary rejection of the request that
; Belgian neutrality should be respected.
The British ambassador at Berlin thereupon received his pass
| ports, and the British government notified Germany that a state of
J war existed between the two countries.
FOREIGN OFFICE STATEMENT.
The British foreign office has issued the following statement:
"Owing to the summary rejection by the German government
1 of the request made by his Britannic majesty's government that the
i neutrality of Belgium should be respected, his majesty's ambassador
1 at Berli nhas received his passports, and his majesty's government
has declared to the German government that a state of war exists
between Great Britain and Germany from 11 o'clock p.m., August 4."
Italy has declared her neutrality, but is mobilizing. Belgium,
Holland and Switzerland have mobilized. The German demand that
the Belgian government should permit the free passage of German
troops through Belgium was answered by hasty preparations to re
sist such an advance across Belgian territory.
Sweden has made no answer to inquiries from Russia and Ger
| many regarding her attitude, but is preparing to defend her neu
trality.
Japan is making ready to live up to her alliance with Great
Britain in case of certain eventualities. Spain is reported to be pre
paring a proclamation of neutrality.
Austro-Hungary for the moment has retired fi'om her campaign
against Servia for the purpose of holding back Russia, and Servia
has mobilized with the reported intention of invading Bosnia.
GERMAN^ PRACTICALLY ISOLATED.
The cutting of the German telegraph and telephone connec
1 tions and the severance of the German transatlantic cable virtually
cut Germany off from communication with other countries. Reports
from France. Belgum, Holland and Russia, however, showed that
Germany's armies were steadily moving forward east and west,
and that her advanced posts were in contact with the opposing Rus
sian and French armies.
In England preparations today were rapidly completed for naval
activities after the declaration of war last night, but the authorities
would not permit any leakage of news as to military or naval move
ments.
Several German steamships in British waters, including the Bel
gia, with seventy-three German reservists and a quantity of food
stuffs on board, were declared prizes of war. The Maria Leonhardt
in the Thames suffered a similar fate.
The British government today commandeered the horses be
longing to express companies and big department stores, thus caus
ing almost a suspension of business.
On the coast of the North sea, where it had been erroneously re
ported that a naval battle was in progress last night, the British gov
ernment has taken over all schools and other public buildings for
conversfon into hospitals in readiness to receive the wounded men
after the expected important naval encounter between the German
and British fleets.
VOLUNTEERS ARE CALLED FOR.
Volunteers were requested for the British army, and this was
taken as an indication that an expeditionary force was to be sent out,
but no authentic information on this point was obtainable.
In France, the minister of war declared the mobilization to have
proceeded satisfactorily and everything to be in readiness, with Gen.
Joffre, commander-in-chief, at the frontier.
As the Black sea has been tightly closed by Turkey's shutting
the Dardanelles and Bosphorus, in order to maintain her neutrality,
the Russian fleet there has had no difficulty in making captive many
German and Austrian vessels.
Austria and Servia appear to have stopped their activities, or, at
least, to have put a strict censorship on the news of any important
events, as no dispatches of importance reached the British capital
from those two countries.
Detectives, during a raid on houses occupied by Germans in
London, in one place discovered a large number of bombs and rifles.
Several arrests were mad^, _ _ .