Evening star. [volume], August 15, 1914, Image 1

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

Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC

                
WEATHER.
Fair tonight and Sunday, without de
citled temperature changes; gentle,
shifting winds.
Temperature past twenty-four hours:
High. 87. at 4 p.m. yesterday; low, 68,
at 6 ?.m. today.
About every one in Washing
ton who reads at all reads The
Star.
No. 19,680.
WASHINGTON, D. C., SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 1914?EIGHTEEN PAGES.
ONE CENT.
-5
May Be Compelled to Become
Candidate of New York
Republicans.
CONDITIONS HAVE CHANGED
DURING PAST TEN DAYS
Growing Strength of Hinman, Col.
Eoosevelt's Choice, Is Attract
ing Deep Attention.
BY N. O. MESSENGER.
NEW YORK. August 15.?That Elihu
Root, now United States senator, but
who Is self-eliminated from the sena
torial contest, may be compelled to j
become the candidate of the repub
licans for Governor of New York, Is
the most interesting subject of political
gossip upon the eve of the assembling
of the republican state "convention at
Saratoga next week.
In the past week this suggestion has
been constantly coming to the surface
in all talks among important repub
licans. The idea, at first advanced
tentatively, has taken hold and spread
with the rapidity of the growth of the
proverbial green bay tree, until at
this time it is heing discussed as more
than a probability?as a likelihood.
Conditions Have Changed.
Conditions have changed rapidly in
republican politics here in the past
ten days. Harvey D. Hinman, Col
Roosevelt's choice for progressive can
didate for governor, and aspirant like
wise for the republican nomination, has
gained strength amazingly.
Starting with the support of several
old-line republicans, as announced in
these dispatches three weeks ago, Mr.
Hinman has succeeded in drawing into
line man after man upstate who has
influence in the councils of the old
party.
William Barnes, the republican old
line boss, who, ten days ago, dis
counted Hinman's chances at a very
low ligure, has found in the past few
days that HInraan is- not to be whistled
down the wind. One factor which has
contributed to Hinman's hope is the
Indorsement by the New York county
politicians of Calder's candidacy for
the United States senatorship.
An Illogical Situation.
It is said to be illogical that Greater
New York should present a candidate
for governor, in the name of District
Attorney Whitman, and also a candi
date for senator.
While the candidacy of Mr. Hinman
as the dove of peace of the divided re
publican party appeals to many of M*e
dirtrict and county leaders. It does not
satisfy altogether the rank and file of
tlip old moss-chested republicans of the
state. It is said
Many of them believe that this is
tfoing to be a republican year, and they
want the old party to come baok as .the
republican party and not as a hybrid
annex to Rooseveltism.
rt may be said with all assurance of
i ositiveness that the feeling Is general
:n.Song republicans that if Elihu Root
will run for governor in this state he
?ill be elected. They also believe he
can be re-elected senator, but taking his
word for it that he does not desire to
return to the Senate, they are willing to
let it go at that
Demand He Allow Name Be Used.
There is a demand that he allow his
name to be used for the governorship.
The argument advanced is this: that he
has been highly honored by the republi
cans of the state; if he feels that he is
tired of public work such as would be ,
Involved in a six-year term in th,e Sen- j
ate they will make it easy for him. As |
governor, he would be busy only three i
months in the year.
"You don't want to practice law any
more," the republicans say to him; "you
don't need to make any more money.
You don't want to wear yourself out in
the Senate. Very well, come and help us
out; run for governor and carry with
vou the state ticket, a lot of congress
men, and help your party and ybur
state." *
1 ook out for a big Rpot boom for gov
ernor. prettv soon. TTiere is plenty of
time for It to take hold. The primaries
do not occur until September '28. and
any time intervening will be time enough
to file a petition.
No Convention Indorsement.
It is not expected that the convention
jtt Saratoga, which meets Tuesday next,
will indorse anybody for the governor
ship nomination. As stated in these dis
patches several days ago. Senator Root
and Chairman Barnes are both against
Indorsement, and in favor of exerting
the letter and spirit of the primary law.
?which provides for direct primary nomi
nations. But there will be a lot of talk
ing on the side. and conferring, and. no
doubt, unofficial decision upon oandl
dates. j
The old guard managers are opposed to
the Roosevelt-Hinman combination. They
may be outweighed by the smaller dis
trict leaders, who want victory' and re
sults irrespective of personalities.
The compromise suggestion is contain
ed in the possible candidacy of Senator
Hoot for governor. If he comes .to Sara
toga the proposition will be put up to
fclm with vigor.
tfEW YORK G. o. P. GATHERS.
Gubernatorial Candidates Open j
Headquarters at Saratoga.
SARATOGA N" V.. August 15.?Re
publicans from all parts of New York
reached Saratoga today for their first
unofficial state convention. Although
the formal sessions are not to begin un
til Tuesday, headquarters of aspirants
for the gubernatorial nomination. Dis
trict Attorney Charles S. Whitman, Job
Hodge* and former Senator Harvey D.
Hinman. were opened today.
The convention is deprived by the new I
primary law of the i?ower of selecting
candidates, 'and is expected to confine
its official work t?? drafting a platform
and recommending candidates for dele- |
gates to the constitutional convention.
THE DAY IN CONGEESS.
Heaatei
Met at 11 a.m.
Debated the bill to require
federal registration of all opium
dealers or producers.
Honnr:
Met at noon.
Debate was resumed on the con
servation bills.
COMPLETE PLANS
Pi PRICE PROBE
Government Agents Busy on
High Cost of Living In
vestigation.
BEET SUGAR CROP HELD
UP SOMEWHERE IN WEST
Efforts to Obtain Comparisons of
Food Costs From Labor Statis
tics Bureau Futile.
Strengthening- its forces here and
tnere to stop up any leaks overlooked
when the rush was made, the govern
ment agents spent today in complet
ing details of the investigation to de
termine who are responsible for the I
high prices of table necessities and
who are blaming it on the war situa
tion in Europe. Mere and there came
reports from the various agents who j
have gone hurriedly abcrut their in- j
vestigations, telling of some new dis
covery which has furnished a line of
probing which they will follow. The
most important of these today was
considered to be one that the sugar
beet crop from the west, which should
now be on the market, has not yet ar
rived, and is being held up somewhere
along the line.
The grand jury investigation which
was started in this city yesterday
under the direction of District Attor
ney "Wilson was continued over from
yesterday until Monday. The witnesses
who were summoned for yesterday had
not completed their examinations when
the grand jury adjourned.
Telegrams and letters continue to
pour into the Department of Justice
telling of the starting of the investi
gations. but the department is with
holding the publication of any of the
messages at this time. The informa
tion concerning the holding up of this
year's beet sugar crop came to the
Department of Justice from one of
its agents, but the officials there de
cided that it would be unwise to make
public the exact source.
Probes in Every State.
The reports, however, show that the in
vestigation into the food prices is pro
gressing In every state and almost every
large city. The United States attorney at
San Francisco telegraphed that the in
vestigation already has prevented an in
crease in shipping rates to foreign ports
on canned goods.
William J. Youngs, district attorney at
Brooklyn, telegraphed that he had issued
subpoenaes for a grand jury which will
meet Wednesday. Other district attor-1
neys asked for special agents to supple
ment their own efforts. The district at
torney at Baltimore wants three special
agents because of th? inflation of prices
there. The Department of Justice is gath
ering comparisons of food prices on July
3L, 1913; July 1, 1914; the prices before the
declaration of war in Europe and the
present prices in this .country.
After spreading* broadcast to hia
agents the telegram of instructions con
cerning the high cost of living Investi
gation, Secretafry Redfleld of the De
partment of commerce left for points
in New England. He. however, left spe
cific instructions that he be kept in con
stant touch with the reports that come
in.
Detailed Instructions Hailed.
From the bureau of foreign and
domestic commerce there went out by
mail this morning the detailed instruc
tions concerning the investigation, and
they are declared to cover the minutest
detail, and the investigators will be ex
pected to follow them closely. The offi
cials at the department refused to make
public either a whole or a part of the
instructions, declaring it would not be }
wise at this time for ? the government ?
to show its hand in any part of the i
investigation.
Efforts made this morning to obtain !
figure* irom tne bureau oi ?abor statis
tics of the Department of Labor show- |
ing comparisons of food prices within |
the last two months were futile. The
June and July figures have not been
made public, and will not be "until
they are printed in the pamphlet cov
ering, a period of six months."
The agents of the bureau?that is, the
merchants who make the monthly re
Ports? are to make a report today, but
these figures will not be available for
several months, at a time when they
will be of little use. The officials said
they could not help it; that they could
not give them out until printed, and
they are printed only for six-month
periods.
Chicago Grand Jury to Act.
CHICAGO. Augrust 15.?The federal
grand Jury now sitting will be the
medium for the Chicago Inquiry Into'
war-time prices, according to a state
ment made by District Attorney Wil
kerson, who returned from his vaca
tion today.
"Today." said Mr. Wllkerson, "I
shall confer with agents of the De
partment of Justice to learn what th**y
Have ascertained. Further information
will be gained by summoning mer
chants and dealers in foodstuffs before
the grand Jury next Monday. First, we
must ascertain the true causes of the
advances in prices."
Cut meats at wholesale were un
changed today, but the packers said the
toqe was easlar.
PRAISES WILSON PEACE PLAN.
Italian Newspaper Says It Is Only j
Possible, However, After Big Battle. |
ROME, via Paris, August 15, 12:30 j
a.m.?The Giornale D'ltalia, comment
ing on the news from America that
Washington is being urged to inter
vene in the European conflict in favor I
of peace, praises the movement, but
thinks that any initiative in the matter
by President Wilson will be passible
only after a decisive battle has shown
to which side victory inclines.
CONFERENCE HELD IN SPAIN.
Significance Attached to Meeting of
British Envoy and Spanish Premier.
SAN SEBASTIAN, Spain, August 15,
1:20 p.m., via London.?Some signifi
cance 1* attached to a prolonged con
ference 'today between the British am*
t^Lssador and the Spanish premier, who
came here especially to see him.
Battleship Minnesota Home.
NEW YORK, August 15.?The battle
ship Minnesota, flying her homeward
bound pennant, arrived at New York
today after her long stay in Mexican
waters. The Minnesota sailed fromTam
pico August 7. All on board are well.
CANAL IS NOW OPEN
TO ALL THE WORLD
War Department Steamship
Ancon Began Its Passage at
7 O'Clock This Morn'mg.
PASSED THROUGH LOCKS
IN SEVENTY MINUTES
Ship Leased to Panama Bailroad
Company by Government From
New York and Fnlly Loaded.
PANAMA, August 15?The United
States War Department steamship An
con today made the passage through the
Panama canal, and transit through the
waterway is now officially open to the
traffic of the world.
The Ancon left her berth at Cristobal at
7 o'clock this morning and made her way
to the end of the deep water channel
from the Atlantic to the Gatun locks.
She went through thpse. locks, which have
a lift of eighty-five feet, In seventy min
utes . She continued through the water
way from deep water on the Atlantic to
deep water on the Pacific without inci
dent. She Is due at the Pacific side at
O o'clock this evening.
Leaving Cristobal, the Ancon passed
several vessels at anchor in the harbor,
waiting to follow her through the canal
and thus make the first commercial uso
of the waterway.
The decks of the Ancon were crowded
with guests of the government and offi
cials of the canal administration and the
republic, of Panama. The party included
Col. Goethals, U. S. A., builder of the
canal and governor of the zone; Presi
dent Porras of Panama and Capt. Hugh
Rodman. U. S. N., superintendent of
transportation.
In conformity with a promise made by
Col. Goethals. the peace flag: of the Amer
ican Peace Society fluttered from the
foremast of the Ancon. Bneath her
decks, however, were two huge pieces of
artillery which are destined to form an
important part in the defenses of the
waterway.
Local Celebration Held.
The Canal Zone oelebrated to
day the opening of the canal.
The festivities, however, were but
local and suggested little of
the international signflcance of the
event. With the official Panaina cele
bration set for next spring, even the
United States was not officially repre
sented today except by the men who
have long been in the Canal Zone.
The steamship Ancon, owned by the
United States War Department, and
leased to the Panama railroad for serv
ice in the New York-Colon trade, was
chosen as the first big boat to be put
through, signalizing the opening of
the canal to all ships up to 10,000 tons
register
Shortly before 7 o'clock this fnorning
the Ancon was drawn away from her
berth at Cristobal and anchored at the
end of the deep-water channel from
the Atlantic occan to the Gatun locks.'
The program called for her passage of
the Culebra cut at about noon and ar
rival at the end of the deep-water
channel in the Pacific at 6 o'clock this
evening.
Dressed in Spotless White.
All the seventy-four regular officers
and men on board the Ancon appeared
In spotlessly white uniforms, and the
ship itself glistened with new paint,
over which fluttered signal flags and
the flags of all nations.
At the forepeak was the ensign of
the Panama Republic, while at the
mainmast head fluttered the house pen
nant of the Panama steamship fleet.
On the jackstaff was the flag of the
United States.
' Invitations to be guests on this first
trip had been much coveted, and the
rails were lined with local officials and
those of the Panama republic, with
the women of their families, as the big
steamer backed away from her berth.
Col. Goethals, builder of the canal and
governor of the zone, was on the
bridge beside Capt. Sukeforth, com
mander of the steamer, together with
Capt. Hugh Hodman, U. S. N., super
intendent of transportation of the ca
nal, who has overseen the plans for
putting the first ship through.
Other distinguished persons Included
President Porras of the republic of
Panama and his staff.
National Anthen Drowned.
The Panama National Band and the
regimental band of the 10th United
States Infantry played "The Star
Spangled Banner" as the ship pulled
away, but the music was almost
drowned by the whistles of the steam
ers In the harbor.
To assure unimpeded passage for the
Ancon, all of the traffic, Including the
working boats in Culebra cut, was
brought to a standstill.
The several thousand canal workers
enjoyed a holiday, and with villagers
of all types from the surrounding ter
ritory they lined the banks at various
vantage points. The Ancon was fully
loaded with the regular cargo that she
had brought from New York, the
freight having been purposely left on
board to give the canal a full test, with
the ship drawing its full depth of
water.
No Cause for Concern
to the United States;
Canal Fully Neutralized
With the passage through the Panama
canal today of the War Department liner
Ancon, the great waterway becomes
"free and open to. the vessels of com
merce and of war of ail nations on terms
of entire equality," in accordance with
the provisions of the Hajf-Pauncefote
treaty.
Vessels drawing not more than thirty
feet of water may now make the pas
sage. It would be possible to put some
! of the big American dreadnoughts
I through at any time. _
I Any of the foreisrn warships now in
| Atlantic and Pacific waters could also
| make the trip, but the naval plans of the
I European powers which have vessels off
! both coasts of the United States are not
known here.
No embrras8ment will face the United
States should one of the vessels of the
belligerents seek passage. Strict rules
are laid down in the treaty for the per
petual neutralization .of the canal and
every detail will be under the direction
of Gov. Goethals and his staff. Except
in cases of absolute necessity, vessels of
belligerents must make uninterrupted
passage through the canal.
Jffay Not Revictual or Coal.
They may not revictual or coal or am
bark or disembark troops In the Canal
/
Zone; and,the provisions also apply to
the terminal waters at both ends of the
canal, within a limit of three miles.
Twenty-four hours is the limit of time
a belligerent vessel can remain within
the canal, except in cases of distress, and
a vessel of war of one belligerent can
not depart within twenty-four hours
from the departure of a vessel of war of
another belligerent.
All of the plant and establishments
that are part of the canal are immune
from attack or injury by any belliger
ents. Vigilant American pilots will see 1
that no foreign vessels make observa
tions of the canal defenses.
The principal work remaining to be
done in completing the canal is the
deepening and widening of the channel
through Culebra cut and excavation op
erations at both approaches.
mmim
ARE SAFEINEURQPE
Whereabouts of Many Addi
tional Washingtonians Re
ported by Cable.
SOME REGISTER IN LONDON
WITH THEU. S. COMMITTEE
Rev. C. R. Stetson, Rector of St.
Mark's Episcopal Church,
Is in Milan, Italy.
Word has been received by friends here
that Rev. C. R. Stetson, rector of St.
Mark's Episcopal Church, Capitol Hill, is
safe in Milan, Italy, and intends to re
main in that city for some time. Mr.
Stetson was known to be traveling
abroad, and much anxiety for him was
felt by the members of his congregation
and other friends when nothing was'
heard of his whereabouts.
The information came in a letter to his'
father, George R. Stetson, of Newport, j
R. I., and his sister, Mrs. Fletcher, wife
of Rear Admiral Fletcher,. U. S. N., at;
once notified friends in Washington.
Mr. and Mrs. Lorimer C. Graham of the
Wyoming apartments, are safe in Paris. ;
Word to this effect by cable was received
today by Jerome Graham, a brother, much
to his relief and that of other members of
the family. When last heard from Mr.
and Mrs. Graham were in Germany and
at that time they requested that funds be
sent them, as their stock of cash was get
ting low and things looked a little threat
ening. Mrs. Graham was Miss Elsa Port
ner of this city.
Word has been received this morning
that James S. Easby-Smith, Mrs. Easby
Smith and their daughter,. Mrs. Horace
F. W. Warden, all of Washington, whose
safety In England was recently announc
ed, sailed today for thi^ cou,nJry. on. the
Minnewaska of the American Transport
line.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles C. Stauffer of 2?t;h
street northwest today received a cable
gram from their daughter, Miss Ruth
Stauffer. in Naples, Italy. The message
stated that Miss Stauffer 'and her' friends,'
Miss Helen Ellis of Washington and Mrs.
Oscar Leonhardt of Knoxville, Tenn.,
were well and were awaiting passage.
More Heard From In London.
Additional names of Washingtonians
who have registered in London with the
citizens' committee there are contained
in a supplementary list not hitherto made
public sent to the United States by that
organization. They are:
L. F. Anderson, August Baggan, E.
Bainbridge, Jerome Chase, 1522 K street
northwest; Albertln, Mary and Reynolds
Diaz, Mary S. Dix, Mrs. William Flather
and Miss L. Flather, Mrs. Rudolph
Forster, wife of the assistant private
secretary to the President of the United
States, and her son, 3204 17th street
northwest; Rev. and Mrs. Joseph Fletch
(Continued on Second Page.)
OPEN FOR BUSINESS.
GERMANS TOLD TO BELIEVE
ONLY OFFICIAL WAR NEWS
Manifesto to Nation by Gen. Stein of Gen
eral Staff Says Falsehoods Reign
in France and England.
COPENHAGEN. Denmark, via London, ? the righteousness of our cause and the
August IB. 1:05 p.m.?The Berliner wickedness of our enemies.
Tageblatt of August 12. which reached
here today, contains a manifesto to the as the German occupation of Belfort
German nation by Gen. Stein of the Ger- . and the destruction of French regiments
man general staff in which the public wholesale.
is cautioned against believing any state- j Promises Full Publication,
ments except those given out by the' ? ' ^ ,
general staff. It says: Everything will be published at the
"In England and France falsehoods
are being spread broadcast.
"You Germans have too much faith
in your government to accept rumors
too easily.
"The English accuse us of having sug
gested partition with Holland in ex
change for her neutrality. Such charges
are beneath contempt, and demonstrate
proper time, and we have given our
word that nothing shall be exaggerated
and nothing minimized.
"Few except those who are experi
enced in warfare can know or show
with what difficulties victories are won."
Another Berlin paper declares that
Great Britain is paralyzing American
diplomatic relations by preventing the
American ambassadors sending dispatches
in cipher.
HEAD OF BRITISH FIELD ARMY
CHEERED ON ARRIVAL IN PARIS
PAJRIS, August 12s 1:25 p.m.?Field
Marshal Sir John French, commander
in-chief of the British field army, was
greeted by a vast crowd when he arriv
ed at the railroad station in Paris today.
The people cheered and sang the British
national anthem when the field marshal
came out of the station in his khaki
uniform. He was attended by the Brit
ish ambassador and the French minister
of the interior, and was followed by a
numerous staff.
Sir John spent the day in conference
with Adolphe Messimy, minister for
war, and in paying formal visits to
President Poincare and Premier Vlviani.
FRENCH AUTHORITIES GENEROUS
TO GERMANS AND AUSTRIANS
PARIS, August 18, 2:20 p.m.?The
French military authorities and the pre
fect of police, .Celestin. Hennion, are ex
ercising generous discretion with respect
to the Germans and Austrlans now in
Paris. Many of those who have resided
for a long time in the city will be allowed
to remain with their families instead of
bing sequestered In western and southern
France.
The public prosecutor, A. Monnet, to
day requested the criminal court to ac
quit a German named Vogt, who had
been arrested on suspicion of being a spy.
The charge was not proved.
"Justice* fn France must be applied/"
said M. Monnet, "even toward our im
placable enemies."
RUSSIAN FORCES ANNIHILATE
TWO AUSTRIAN REGIMENTS
LONDON, August IB (11:30 a.m.>.?
The French minister of foreign affairs,
in telegraphing to the French embassy
here today a summary of the various
.conflicts about which reports already
have been published, gives official con
firmation of a Russian victory over the
Austrlans on the River Dneister. He
says the 4th Infantry Regiment and
the 1st Cavalry Regiment of the Aus
trian army were annihilated by the
Russians.
Russian refugees from Germany deny
a report that Germany is imprisoning
Russians because of a threat alleged to
have been made by the Emperor of
Russia to send all Germans In Russia
to Siberia.
The Russian general staff today an
nounced in St. Petersburg that Russian
troops have destroyed local railroad and
telegraph lines in the province of East
Prussia at eleven points between
Schmalieningken on the Russian fron
tier and Tilsit. German troops also have
damaged some of the frontier roads.
Wednesday the 12th German Uhlans
and the 9th German Rifle Regiment, ac
companied by artillery, were discovered
on the German frontier in the neighbor
hood of Kalisz by the Russian troops.
The Germans avoided coming Into con
tact, retiring to the northwest
EXCITEMENT IN ROME IS ACUTE
OWING TO WAR DEVELOPMENTS
ROME, August 14, 9:4B p.m., via
Paris, August 18, 7:30 a.m.?The ex
citement In the Italian capital has be
come very ?cute since the existence of
the state of war between England and
France on the one side and Austria
Hungary on the other was declared.
Tribuna In an article, evidently inspired
in official quarters, emphasizes the fact
that G.-eat Britain and France did not
really declare war on Austria, but sim
ply announced that a state of war exist
ed by reason of Austria's own acts, and
that therefore Italy Is not obliged to
assist Austria-Hungary.
The most active work is now going on
among the governments of the various
Balkan states to bring about a recon
struction of the former Balkan league
which defeated Turkey in the recent
war. The object of the movement is to
assist Russia against Austria-Hungary
and to keep Turkey Inactive,
JAPAN IS DETERMINED
TO WAR ON GERMANY
PARIS NOW BELIEVES
Lines Form in Belginm and Great
Battle Between Allies and
Kaiser's Forces Nears.
RUSSIAN TROOPS VICTORIOUS
AT SEVERAL FRONTIER POINTS
Balkan Nations May Come to Aid of Czar?Austrian
Troops, Numbering 499,093, Reposed in
Dash Against Servians.
That Japan, Great Britain's ally, will unleash her dogs of war
on Germany within the course of the next few days is the general
belief in French official circles. The Petit Journal of Paris says it
learns, "on unimpeachable authority," that Japan is determined on
taking this course. Her operations in such contingency would be
laid in the far east and against German provinces in China.
The vast German army invading Belgium is massing between
Louvain and Diest, where the allies are assembled in great force.
News of one of the greatest and most deadly battles in history is
expected hourly.
A wireless dispatch from Berlin received in London says, in
an interview, Imperial Chancellor von Bethmann-Hellweg repre
sented the war as "a life and death struggle between the Germans
and Russians."
Paris declares officially that Saales Pass, over the Vesges, has
been occupied by French troops.
Grand Duke Nicholas of Russia, commander-in-chief of the
army, calls on the Poles to be loyal to Russia and promises them
autonomy.
The Exchange Telegraph Company of London says 400,000
Austrian troops made a concerted dash on Servia, but were repulsed
with heavy casualties.
BELGIANS IN EXCELLENT POSITION.
The Belgian general staff reports the position of its army as ex
cellent.
Field Marshal Sir John French, commander-in-chief of the Eng
lish field army, arrived in Paris.
From Rome comes a report of an attempt to reconstruct the
league of the Balkan nations, with the object of assisting Russia and
restraining Turkey.
Gen. Stein of the German general staff, in a manifesto to the
German nation, cautions the people against believing anything not
made public officially. He said all news will be published in good
time, and there will be no exaggeration or minimizing.
Gen. Otto von Emmich, German commander at Liege, is dead.
He has been succeeded by Gen. von Der Marwitz.
The Belgian ministry of war today officially denied the rumor
that the Germans had occupied the fortified town of Diest, to the
northeast of Louvain.
FORTS AT LIEGE STILL STAND.
The Belgian forts at Liege are still holding out. A condition
of chaos reigns in the town itself. German dead at Liege have been
piled high and burned, to avoid the outbreak of disease.
Huge armies of Russia are pressing the frontier of Germany
and Austria, and numerous victories over the foe are reported.
The Germans have demanded the surrender of Longwy, and
this has been refused. A fiercely contested battle is expected to be
gin there at once.
Formidable defensive works have been erected by the Belgians
at Namur, which seems sure to be one of the chief points of attack
of the kaiser's troops.
Reports of starvation among German troops continue to be re
ceived from towns where the German wounded have been cared for.
Both French and Belgians have captured many prisoners, along
with large numbers of machine and field guns.
GERMAN INVADERS LOSE HEAVILY.
Surprise attacks on German invaders, with subsequent heavy los*.
es, are reported from many sections of Belgium.
1 But 500 of the four or five thousand Germans who participated
in the battle at Haelen escaped unhurt, according to advices from
Brussels. Two German princes are reported to be among the injured.
Official confirmation is given the Russian victory over the Aus
trians on the river Dneister. Two regiments of Austrians are re
ported to have been annihilated.
A German aeroplane flying over Namur dropped bombs and
several persons were terribly injured.
Belgian infantry ambushed two companies of German cyclists.
Fifty of the Germans were left dead on the field at Vessenach after
their comrades had fled.
Great Battle Seems Near.
LONDON. August 16.?Almost with
in gunshot of historic Waterloo,
where the colors of one world
conqueror were lowered, and whence
Napoleon went to exile and death on
lonely St. Helena, on a plain that run*
between Louvain and Diest, where the
Belgian array has served as an invinci
ble screen for the mighty land forces of
France and England, big guns are
booming. And, according to advices from
Brussels, these booming guns mark the
beginning or the preliminary to tha
greatest battle in the world's history.
It Is more than probable that the Held
of this titanic struggle may include
Waterloo, and the commanders of the
allied armies are supremely confident
that history will repeat itself. Only this
Ume It will be the Prussians who will
r
*
meet the men whose forefathers fought
against one another under Xapol^oei* and
Wellington.
All the English and Frencli military
experts believe that the decisive defeat
of the Germans in this battle?a defeat
which they insist is certain?will mark
the beginning of the end of William IL
Confidence After Victories.
There Is not the slightest doubt that
the victories of the French, the Bel
gians and the Russians have inspired
confidence that the forces of the triple
entente are invincible.
This belief is strengthened by dis
patches which tell of how. after a ne
ries of fierce struggles, in which a regi
ment of German dragoons was anni
hilated, a German infantry division
surrendered and the French regained
possession of the ridge of the Vosges
mountains, in Alsaoe, and how, as the
British official report puts It, after a
I