The Birmingham age-herald. [volume], August 25, 1914, Image 1

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THE BIRMINGHAM AGE-HERALD
* ■ , , • . • _____ ^ j *<
VOLUME XXXXIV BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1914 12 PAGES NEMBER III
GERMANY VICTORIOUS OVER FRENCH
AND ENGLISH IN BELGIUM, IS REPORT
^‘Our Plan of Attack Failed Due
To Unforeseen: Difficulties
Reads Laconic Paris Mes
sage—Germans Re-En
ter Muelhausen
t
Paris, August 24.—(11:50 p. m.)—The French war office issued the fol
lowing announcement tonight:
“The French and English, the plan of attack having failed owing to un
foreseen difficulties, have retired on the covering positions.”
“West of the Meuse the English army on our left was attacked by the Germans, but behaved
admirably, holding its ground with traditional steadfastness.
' “The French assumed the offensive with two army corps. An African brigade in the front
line, carried away by their eagerness, were received by a murderous fire. They did not give
an iuch, but, counter attacked by the Prussian guard, they were obliged to retire, only, however,
after inflicting enormous losses. The Prussian guard especially suffered heavily.
Obliged to Fall Back
“Fast of the Meuse our troops advanced across an extremely difficult country and made a
Vigorous attack when they emerged from the woods, but were obliged to fall hack after a stiff
fight, south of the River Semois.
I “On order of General Joff re, our troops and the British troops withdrew to the covering posi
tions. Our troops are intact; our cavalry lias in no wav suffered and our artillery has affirmed
its superiority. Our officers and soldiers are in the best of condition, morally and physically.
“As a result of the orders which have been issued, the aspect of the struggle will change for
,a few days. The French army will remain for a time on the defensive, hut at the right moment,
to be decided on by the commander-in-chief, it will resume a Vigorous offensive.
“Our losses are heavy; it would be
premature to enumerate them. It
•would be equally so to enumerate
those of the Germans, who suffered
bo heavily that they were obliged to
abandon their counter attacks and
establish themselves in fresh positions
in Lorraine.
“We delivered four attacks yester
day from our positions north of
Nancy, inflicting very heavy loss on
i the enemy.
■ “In regard to the general situation
we have the full use of our railroads
and are in command of the seas. Our
» •
operations have enabled the Russians
to come into action and penetrate the
heart of west Prussia.
Defenses Intact
“Tt is to be regretted that, the offensive
1 operations planned failed to achieve their
purpose as a result of difficulties im
possible to foresee. Tt would have short
ened the war, but our defences remain
intact in the presence of an already
weakened enemy.
“Every Frenchman will deplore the tem
porary abandonment of portions of Al
sace and 1/orraine which we had occupied
and certain parts of the national territory
will suffer from events of which they
will be the theatre.
i no orneai is inevnaoir. nui lempo
rary. Thus detachments of German cav
alry belonging to an unattached division
operating on the extreme right have pen
etrated to Rouhnix tsix miles north of
Gillie and the Tourcoming district, which
are defended only by territorial reserv
ists.
“Our valliant. people will know how to
find courage to support this trial, with
unfailing faith in final success, which is
not to be doubted. In telling to the coun
try the whole truth, the government and
military authorities give it the strongest
proof of their absolute confidence in
victory, which depends only on our per
severance and tenacity.”
French and British Troops |
Suffer a Serious Reverse
- I !.....1
’HUES FORCED TO
.RETIRE FOLLOWING
BLOODY ENCOUNTER
WITH GERMAN ARMY
Offensive Plans Against the
Kaiser’s Troops Checked
4 Along Long Battle Line.
1 Losses Reported Extreme
ly Heavy
The French and British troops op
posing the invasion of the German
army in Belgium have suffered a seri
ous reverse, according to the official
announcement issued by the French
war office. In the battle line, which
extends from Mons to the Luxemburg
(* frontier, several army corps, composed
of both British and French, took the
offensive on Sunday against the Ger
mans, but their plan of attack failed,
owing to the “unfopppeen difficulties”
as described by theiSflcial statement,
and the troops reti«if*n the covering
positions.
The losses on both sides are reported
as extremely heavy, and the French
Officials describe the Germans as be
ing obliged to establish themselves in
fresh positions in Lorraine.
Hie French have abandoned those
portions of Alsace and Lorraine which
they previously had occupied and now
(CmMbmP on Fair Eight)
TODAY’S AGE-HERALD
I—Germans victorious over allies.
Cotton conference meets in Washing
ton.
Britain awoken* to war situation.
First detailed description of fall of
Brussels.
•-Americans ir. panic when war was dc
i i dared. I
•—Congress hopes to avoid war tax.
Editorial comment.
Too much money for charity, says
f Welfare board.
dentes he shot w'oman.
New skyscraper jail to be financed by
county warrants.
of merchants' association here.
War Bulletins !
London, August 25.—(2:31 a. m.)— A Copenhagen dispatch
to the Exchange Telegraph company, dated August 24, says:
‘ The condition of Emperor Francis Joseph of Austria, ac
cording to telegrams received today, is much worse. His death
is a question of hours.”
GERMANS ON THE OFFENSIVE AGAIN
Basle, Switzerland, August 24.—(Via Paris, 1:22 a. m.)—Ac
cording to reports received here from different points in upper
Alsace, the German troops are making another offensive move
ment against the French army occupying Muelhausen and en
virons.
JAP-AUSTRIAN WAR AVERTED
Washington, August 24.—Danger of war between Japan and
Austria was removed today through an agreement of Austria
to dismantle her cruiser, the Kaiserin Elizabeth, now at Tsing
Tau.
London, August 24.—(6:20 p. m.)—A dispatch received here
from Paris says that, according to official announcement in the
French capital, the Germans are making a great effort against
Namur, which is resisting vigorously.
London, August 24—(10:20 p. m.)—The Montenegrin troops,
with a bayonet charge, repulsed a fresh Austrian attack at
Rahovo, taking 150 prisoners and killing 300 Austrians, accord
ing to a Cettinje dispatch to the Exchange Telegraph company.
__
In the Wake of the War j
AMERICANS GETTING
OUT OF GERMANY v
The Hague, August 24.—(Via London,
8:21 p. m.)—Although there are many
Americans still In Germany their num
ber Is rabidly diminishing. Mrs. Alex
ander Behrendt and daughter of New
Vork, who arrived here today from
Carlsbad, report that there are not
over 50 Americans remaining there.
'fhe^clty councillors of Carlsbad pre
sented the American women with bou
quets ot red, white and blue flowers
w lien their trains departed. All the
travelers report having received the
mast courteous trea'ment. The Euro
pian war probably will dispel the Idea
prevailing In some quarters IhatAmer
ii an ambassadors and ministers In Eu
rope exist chiefly for ornamental pur
poses. The hulk of relief work has
(alien upon the diplomatic and con
sular officials and the manner, in which
they have assumed the burden is con
sidered praiseworthy. Not only have
they worked unceasingly but they also
have contributed thousands of dollars
of private funds to assist needy com
patriots. Another gratifying feature of
the situation Is the msuner in which
lirominent Americans in Europe have
been volunteering to assist the offi
cials.
"PASI8 SADDEST
PLACE IN WORLD
Londpn, August «.-«:» p, m.j-"Fsr|s
Is the saddest place In the world,” said
Miss Cornelia B. Sage, director of Al
bright art gallery, Buffalo, N. ?., who
arrived in London today from the French
capital. “All the artists, poets and au
thors have gone to the war. Every man
able to carry arms has answered the call.
Only small boys have been left to work
In the hotels and cafes. All the studios
are deserted.
”Th^ flower of French manhood, all
the men of genius are at the front. The
v jves and mothers and sisters rejoice
that these talented men went with their
humbler brothers In defense of France.
They say that the call of country stands
above all.
'••They are so brave—the women of
kVance. They are wonderful. They
realize that many will be In mourning In
a few days; yet they do not complain.
•'Even the wounded soldiers returning
I to Paris sing the Marseillaise, in sympa
thy with many returning from battle at
Beirord, they could scarcely raise their
heads, .vet they were cheering for
France.” ,
TSING-TAU RECEIVES
EMPEROR’S MESSAGE
Tslng-Tau, China, August 24.—The cipher
message from Emperor William addressed
to the Tslng-Tau garrison in which they
were called upon to defend tlie position
to the utmost was read aloud at roll call
Friday evening. It was received stoically.
The Oermana have dynamited all the tall
structures here which might bn .of any
(Cmmrt ea rage Mae)
' ■ .;C- , i.’ ■
RIDING THE RAPIDS, A DELICATE JOB |
BRITISH PEOPLE
V ..“j
THE FULL GRAVITY |
Never Before in Whole His
tory Has Island Kingdom
Been so Deeply Moved.
Casualties Are Printed
t CASUALTY LIST PUBLISHED t
♦ 4
V Iiondon, August 24—(7il7 p. ♦
♦ m.»—The first list of I he cas- j
t itnlllcs suffered by the British 4
4 expeditionary army on the eon- j
4 tlnent was published her«. to- 4
♦ day. ft contain* hut three names. j
f One of them Is that of the Karl j
♦ of lieven Melville. « lleutennnt j
♦ In the Second dragoon*. Royal f
« Scots Greys. dangerously j
$ wounded August 22. The other f
■» wounded men are a sergeant j
♦ and a captain of engineers. j
■■I
London. August 24.—(11 p. m.)
This day of waiting has brought home
the realities of war to the British peo
ple. Not before has the whole nation
been so deeply moved. Englishmen
know that most of the best regiments
of their army are fighting a battle on
which the future of the empire may
depend. Many thousands have rela
tives and friends in the army; they
know the death roil probably will be
longer than in the case of any British
force since the Crimean war.
The only Information the country has
had regarding the battle is contained
In brief official bulletins, of a vague
character, and these have not been
cheering. Throughout London the peo
ple tonight are In much more serious
mood than at any time since they faced
the war. There are no scenes of gaiety
In the theatres and restaurants, and the
crowded streets are quiet
Realizing the Cost
This does not mean that there is
any leas determination upon the part
of Brltona—only that the people are
beginning to realize what this war may
cost. On every side are heard decla
rations that the country must he pre
pared for a long and exhausting strug
gle.
Willie not many reproaches come from
supporters of Lord Roberts' crusade for
compulsory military service, not a few
admit they never realized how small a
part -the British army counted In a
great European struggle.
Thus far England has felt the wai
less than any European nation engaged,
probably less than Holland and Swit
zerland, but now waiting for the Is
sue of the battle and for the lists of
killed and wounded the English people
understand all that It means.
Every boat from Belgium comes
crowded with Impoverished refugees
who have fled before the German In
vasion. An organization Is being
formed to care for these people and part
of the Prince of Wales relief fund, which
amounts to more than 17,BOO,040, will be
(Cwritattga Ml Page Mae)
• Fsv . > r
FIRST DETAILED
DESCRIPTION OF i
FALL OF BRUSSELS
Special Correspondent Pictures Belgian Capital
Before Its Downfall—How Citizens Act in War
Zone—Germans Enter Decorously, Troops
Whistling “Every Little Movement Has a Mean
ing All Its Own”
By JAMBS O'DONWBLL UFA !\KTT
0 C opyright* 1014, by Chicago Tribune Co
Brussels, August 19.—(ViaLondon, August 24.)—Peasants are
flocking into Brussels today from villages and farms in the
neighborhood of the ancient university city of Louvain, which
is only 18 miles east of the capital. Men, women and children
are in these little groups of refugees. They are weary and dis
traught, and they wander forlornly across the wide Place de
Rogien when they Tiave emerged from the trains which have
brought them into the Gare du Nord, on the north side of the
place, but Brussels remains calm. In the quiet streets of the
suburbs of Brussels of the north and south, one encounters
hastily constructed entrenchments and barricades on bridges
which span railway crossings.
In these suburbs small cannon have
been mounted and they are protected
by breastworks of meal sacks and
mattresses on the platforms of dozens
of suburban stations. Soldiers slept
on their arms last night, but Brussels
remains calm. The royal family and
the government have been transferred
to Antwerp, 45 minutes by train, to
the north of Brussels, because it would
require a force of nearly 300,000 men
to reduce Antwerp by siege and more
than a year to reduce it by starvation.
Strongly Fortified
For 50 years It has been the calculation
th&t In Antwerp the Belgian army should
make Its last stand In the event of th**
violation of the kingdom’s neutrality by
superior numbers, and so Brussels re
mains calm. Yesterday the evening pa
pers in double column displays printed
the minister of the Interior s recommen
dations and warnings to civilians in the
event of the coming of the enemy Into
their neighborhood. One was advised in
such a case to remain within doors and
close the window so that nobody would
say there had been provocation in case
the soldiers occupy a house or an isolated
hamlet.
In the last paragraph of the warning It
was explicitly borne upon the civilians
that the laws of war mean precisely what
they say. That paragraph reads: “An ae*
of violence committed by a single citizen
would be an averable crime which the law
punishes with arrest and condemnation,
for it would serve as a pretext for a san
guinary repression, for pillage and for
tlfo massacre of the innocent population,
of the women and the children.’’ Having
read that with grave nods, Brussels -or
dered another demi-tasse with cognac,
sipped it reflectively and remained calm.
All the Garde Olvlqne or militia of Bros
sels, which was guarding the streets, lias
been sent to the front and Its place tanen
here by detachment of the Garde Clviqus
1 Report* of Advance
hTom Ghent the day has worn on anti
with Its waning earne grave report* of a
steady German advance. Thl* afternoon
they are at Louvuin, and th* northern
:L ' s
*k.v I" dark with the smoke of burning
villages. The country roads arc choked j
with peasants making toward the city, j
One of the correspondents conics In woarv ;
And dusty from the countryside and toll's
mo of a fleeing peasant whom he saw
carrying five umbrellas under Ills arm
while he looked back on a burning village.
Another was carrying the pet canary In
Its cage.
(Jets Out Extra
One of the standard veiling papers of
Brussels does an almost unp> • cedented
thing and gets out an extra. Ft contains
the burgomaster's latest proclamation. of
warning to the citizens on the laws of
war and the Dutch of noncoinbatants
Some of Fils sentences ring with the an
cient spirit of this heroic fown.“As long,”
he says, In a closing paragraph, "As I
shall be alive and at liberty 1 will pro
tect with all my strength the rights and
dignity of my fellow' citizens. Whatever
happens, listen to the voice of your bur
gomaster and sustain him with your con
fidence. He will not betray you. Long
live free and Independent Belgium! Long
live Brussels.'’
Evening draws on. The hotels are
taking down their Belgian flag, an
ominous sign. The place is full of
refugee peasants. As a soldier comes
in from the firing line the people are
carrying him across the place.jsti their
■shoulders.
Streets Are Closed
London, August 21.—(Special.)—-Brus
sels streets are very quiet and taverns
hip closed. Only one newspaper ap
peared today, and lt'a a half sheet o(
paper prlnled In Flemish, and ran tain.
lulled on I'aie bllsbli
SOUTHERN BANKS
CAN GET MONEY TO
FINANCE 4,000,000
BALES OF COTTON
—\V. <;. M'ADOO
Cotton Conference Opens in
Washington—Many Relief
Plans Arc Suggested
to Solve Proposition
THREE POINTS ARE
EMPHASIZED ABOVE
ALL OTHERS FAVORED*
Producer Musi lie Assisted
and Assistance Musi Be
Immediate — Southerners
Attend
! * ♦
| i *MITU nil I. I* f
| ♦ ♦
r X\ ashlntftmi. August I The Sen- 4
4 HD- Into tnti*>, without roll call, 4
4 passed i hr* sti-callnl cotton ware- 4
* house licenser hill, propose I hv Sep 4
* a tor I loke Smith originally to add 4
4 value lo cotton warehouse cerf.lfl- 4
* i hi* - hy menus of governmental In- 4
* spectlon ami certification of the 4
4 grades * *f cot ton stored in licensed *
4 warehouse*. 4
4 On the floor of the Senate the 4
4 hill whs amended lo extend IIa pro- 4
4 visions m tobacco, naval .stores, 4
4 canned salmon, grain and flax seed. 4
4 Xmendmenta for extension to hp- 4
4 pies, peaches ami oil were voter! 4
4 down. 4
4 \ limitation was placed on the 4
v hill .• a- to i-xempt from the op- 4
4 • •tllon of the grant provision those 4
4 states having a stoic arain Diaper- 4
4 11011 system 4
* 4
I nr t. i. siKw iRT.
Washington. August 24.i—(Special.) •
Three points were emphasised above
all others at the conference held tn
- dny Hy Secretary McAdoo, the federal
I resen e board and representatives of
the cotton planters, manufacturers,
merchants and hankers to discuss
ways and means for carrying the cot
ton crop to the close of the Kuropean
war.
First The producer is the man to
he assisted rather than the manufac
turer, the hanker, the merchant or,
above all, the speculator.
Second- Any help to be fully ef
fective must he immediate.
Third The planters are not asking
for “rescue," but a're to be entrusted
as men capable of handling them,
with the means of tiding themselves
over the present, period of emergency.
The first two points were brought
out by representatives of the cotton
interests in Alabama and the third
was voiced In President Wilson in an
address to the visitors at Hie White
Mouse.
Rfyond this s.t ici ii McAdoo said the
treasury wan prepared to handle the sit
uation mid indicated that "with ware*
I house facilities, «ottun warehouse re
ceipts cpuld he made I he basis for the
1 skin* of national hank circulation." With
the federal reserve system In operation,
ho estimated that the hunks of the south
would he aide to secure national hank
currency to finance l.oou.ooo hales at *10
m bale. X total of 91Ha.ooo.aiHi, an ex
plained in The Age-Herald last week.
Many planters have expressed wlllllng
nww to finance the crop on a basis of
If necessary, provided the accommo
dation be extended for a period not less
than six months.
200 SuggeHtionH Advanced
Nearly 300 men were in the conference.
Many divergent suggestions were ad
vanced. All presented by the producers,
however, had for their aim the relief of
the planters and the acceptance of cotton
hy the government as satisfactory col
lateral for loans. Some advocated re
ceipts for cotton placed In warehouse
the certificate of weights, storage and
insurance to be countersigned by a gov
ernment official. Others wished this
modified, on the grounds that many
planters were remote from compresses
and warehouses and so could not com
ply with such provisions.
All urged, moreover, that precautions
be taken to prevent the bankers getting
the sole benefit of any government as
Istance and that every safeguard he pro
vided the planter against the speculator.
(font la uni on I'ngr Mne)
Allies Begin Blockade
of Seaport of Kiauchau
I’eklaa. Augnal —A blockade of
A
Talua-Tau. the fori If led araport of
KlaBehao, hao atoned. Hrltlah. French
Bad Rnaalaa veaaela of Avar are taking
part la tkr movement.
To the present lime in Hie duel, only
British replwenta have received ortjete
tv co-operate with the Jape neat tn
the operation* against Kiauchttu on the
land side.
Tile French an also expecting or
ders to assist the British troops.
Then probably will not be more
than two or three regiments from e»*»ti
nation.
No atuUenth' information has reached
here as to any Jnpancae landing |g
klauchuu territory.