THE BIRMINGHAM AGC>HERALD
j,v* VOLUME XXXXIV * BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, MONDAY. AUGUST 31. 1M4 ' ' XU-MBKU 117
GERMAN AEROPLANE DROPS BOMBS INTO
• »
PARIS; NO DAMAGE IS DONE, HOWEVER
Aviator In Note
[ States Germans Ar*$\
At Gates Of P*. Ms
Parisians, Though Startled By Threatening Occurrence, Remain
Tranquil—Official Order That Houses Within Zone of
Action of Paris Forts Be Evacuated and Razed.
Subject of Much Discussion ..
-\
^ London, August 30.—(11:53 p. m.)—-A Paris dispatch to the
‘ Exchange Telegram company, says: . v
“A German aviator flew over Paris this afternoon and j
dropped five bombs, which fell in the most populous quarter of!
the city. In one case two women were wounded.
“One bomb fell in front of the shop of a baker and wine mer
chant at Rue AI buy and Rue Den Vinaigriers; two on <t>uai dej
Valmy, one of which did not explode, while the other struck the !
walls of the night refuge, behind !St. Martin's hospital. Two
lathers dropped in the Rue Des Reeoletts and Rue Marcia,
: neither of which exploded.
“The aviator, who signet! himself Lieutenant Von Meissen,
dropped manifestos on which was written: ‘The German army j
is at the gates of Paris; vou can do nothing but surrender.’ ’’
J___
BOMBS DROPPED FROM
HEIGHT OF OF 6000 FEET
Paris, August 30.— (3:05 p. m.)—A
German aeroplane flying at the height
of fiOOO feet over Paris, dropped a bomb
into the city at 1:30 o’clock this after
noon.
The bomb struck near 1/Fist rail way
(^tation. not far from the military hos
pital, but did no damage. Though
startled by this threatening occurrence
” Parisians remained tranquil.
All have been gradually accustomed
to consider much more serious events
as possibilities and the people of the
capital are equul to either fortune- -
hard won success in the north or a
temporary reverse.
The official communication issued
by the military governor last night
ordering that houses within the zone
«•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••■•••••••••■•••*
of action of tin1 Paris forts he evacu
ated and razed has been the subjerr
of much discussion and various rumors'
have spread throughout the city.
General Lacroix, military < ditor 01
the Temps, takes a hopeful view of
the situation, .saying:
“The Germans continue their turn
ing movement on their right. We have
replied by assuming the offensive at
Novion Porcien and at Guise. The re
sult is indecisive in the first direction,
but our attack will be resumed.”
The territory over which the German
a crop la ni st flew is in the northeastern
part of Parts and scarcely a mile from
the heart of the city. In the district
are the big military hospital, the hos
pital St. Lculs, St L'zar*' prison fot
women, the Phurch of St. Laurent,
which dates from the sixteenth cen
tury. tlie North railroad station. th
magnificent church of St. Vincent de
Paul, the I aribosiere hospital, one of
the largest in Paris, several colleges
and several theatres.
German Correspondent
i Reports English Lose
Heavily At St. Quentin
Berlin, August dU.—(By wav of Copenhagen and London,
6:50 p. in.)—The correspondent al German headquarters of the
Deustclies Tagesche-Tageszeitung reports the defeat of the Eng
lish at St. Quentin, accompanied by great losses. The army,
utterly defeated, he says, found its retreat barred by masses of
German cavalry.
The correspondent adds:
l “It is particularly satisfactory that the English suffered not
only the loss of their communication with the northern French
army, but also their communication along the road to the west
and the depots, which according to French statements, they had
established at Maubeuge.
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| LATE WAR BULLETINS |
London, August 30.—(5:50 a. m.)—A Times dispatch from
Amiens, France, says that since Monday morning last the Ger
man advance has been one of almost incredible rapidity, the Ger
mans never giving the retreating British a moment’s rest.
“The first great German effort has succeeded,’’ says the cor
respondent. “We have to face the fact that the British ex
peditionary force requires immediate and immense reinforce
ments. The'investment of Paris cannot be banished from the
field of possibility.”
ATTEMPT TO DESTROY DIRIGIBLES
Basel, Switzerland, August 30.—(Via Paris, 4:32 a. m.)—
iTwo German aeroplanes made an unsuccessful attempt early
today to destroy with bombs the dirigible balloon hangar at
Belfort, France, which is 35 miles northwest of here.
SHARP FIGHTING ALONG FRONTIER
Rome, August 30.—(Via London, 8:20 a. m.)— Dispatches
from Austrian headquarters to the Gorriere Della Sera state that
1,000,000 men are engaged in the battle on the Austro-Russian
frontier. The battle line extends from the Vistula river to the
Dniester river, more than 100 miles. The Russians have pene
trated more than 20 miles into Austrian territory.
GERMANS HEAVY LOSERS
London, August 30.—(11:15 p. m.)—An official statement is
sued tonight says that of 1200 men comprising the crews of the
five German warships off Helgioland, only 330 were saved.
CRUISER REPORTED CAPTURED
Vancouver, B. C., August 30.—A newspaper dispatch says
that the German cruiser Leipzig lias been captured by the
French cruiser Montcalm and the British cruiser Rainbow, off
Vancouver Island, after a fight in which 120 men were killed
and wounded on the Leipzig. , •
Officials at the British naval station at Esquimau refused to
give information concerning the capture, but do not deny it.
fis expected that the announcement of the battle will be made
London. * * ? ’• . t
Seattle, Wash., August 30.—When the Vancouver story of the
■pture of the Leipzig was repeated to officers of the.Equis
zlt naval station near hero, it was pronounced a fabrication.
- ' tsia. ••
„■** ME VIEWS OF THE FRENCH CITY OF LILLE, WHICH
IS REPORTED NOW TO BE OCCUPIED BY THE GERMANS
\_, • ______|i
VIEW OnJLLE -
British Army In France
After Four Days' Fighting,
Ready For the Next Battle
Lord Kitchener in Statement Says British After Struggling
Against Tremendous Odds, Retire to New Line of Defense,
Where They Have Not Been Molested Since Thursday.
German Attack Brought to a Standstill—English
Casualties Between Five and Six Thousand
London, August 30.—(4:20 p. m.)—After four days of des
perate fighting, the British army in France is rested, refitted
and re inforced for the next, great battle, accnrdinp- to an an
nouncement today By Lord Kitchener, secretary of state forj
war. In a statement based on reports from Sir John French,,
commander of the British expeditionary forces, the secretary i
says that the British, after struggling against tremendous odds, |
retired to a new line of defense, where they have not been mo
lested since Thursday. Their casualties are between 5000 and
6000. Since this fighting ceased the French on the right and
left have brought the German attack to a standstill, it is de
clared.
.I nlnc.^ ...........
Lord Kitchener’s atatemi nt, which was
Issued through the official Information
bureau, follows;
“Although dispatches of Kir John
French as to the recent hattie have not
been received. It is possible now to state
wbat lias been the British share In the
recent operations. There lias been a
four days' battle—on the 23d, 24th. 26th
and 2Hth of August. During the whole
of this period the British, in conformity
with a general movement of the French
armies, wdro occupied In resisting and
checking the German advance In with
drawing to new lines of defense. The
hattie begun as Mons Sunday, during
which day and part of the night the
German attacked stubbornly, and repeat
edly was completely checked by the Brit
ish front. On Monday, the 24th, the Ger
mans made vigorous efforts in superior
numbers to prevent the safe withdrawal
of the British army and to drive it Into
the Fortress Maubeuee.
GERMANS SUFFER
, HEAVY LOSSES
“This effort was frustrated by the stead
iness and skill with which the British
retirement was conducted and as on the;
previous day losses fur In excess of. any
thing suffered by us were inflicted the
enemy, who In dense formation and In
enormous masses marched forward again
and yA again to storm the British lines.
“The British retirement, proceeded on
the 36th with continuous fighting, thougn
not on the scale of the previous days
and By the night of the 26th. the British
army occupied the line of Cambrai, Lan
drecles and Leeateu. Cambrai is a forti
fied town in the department of the north.
32 miles southeast of Lille on the River
Scheldt. Locoteau Is 14 miles east by
southeast of CombraD. It had -been In
tended to resume the retirement at day
break on the 26th, but the German attack.
In which no less than live army corps
were engaged, was so close and fierce that
it was not possible to carry out this
intention until the afternoon.
"The battle on this day. the 26th, was
severe and desperate. Thu troops of
fered a superb and stubborn resistance
to tremendous odds and at length extri
cated themselves In good order though
with serious loss and tinder the heaviest;
artillery fire. No guns were taken by
the enemy, except those the horse of
phlch had lieen killed. nri which Were
shuttered by high explosive shells.
“General French estimates that during
the whale of these opeiaflons from the
23d to the 26th. Inclusive, his losses
amounted to five or six thousand men.
On the other hand, the losses suffered
by the Germans in their attacks across
the open, and through their dense forma
tion are out of all proportion to those
we suffered.
MACHINE GUNS
MOW DOWN GERMANS
"In Landredes alone on the 25th, aj
German Infantry brigade advanced la
6 # wV i** :V. • ll'. ’
close order into a narrow street and j
our machine guns were brought to bear I
on this target from the end of the town.
The head of the column was swept away.
A frigid ful panic ensued and it Is esti
mated that 800 or 900 dead and wounded
Germans were left in this street alone
Another incident was the charge of the
German Guard cavalry division, upon the
British Twelfth cavalry brigade, when tin*
German cavalry was thrown back with
great Josses and in absolute disorder
These are notable examples of what has
taken place over the front during these
engagements and the Germans have heeri
made to pay the extrei^ price for every
forward march.
“Since the 20th a part of the cavalry
fighting the British army has not been
molested,
"Reinforcements amounting to double
the losses sustained, already have joined.
Every gun lias been replaced, and th«
, army is ready to take part in the next
great encounter with undiminished
strength and undaunted spirits.
‘Today the nows again is favorable.
The British ha|e not been engaged but
the French armies, acting vigorously on
the right and left, have for the time
being, brought the German attacks to a
Me ••dst’U.
“Sir John French also reports that on
thf -'to me British Fifth cavalry bri
gade fought in brilliant fashion with
German cavalry, in which the Twelfth
lancers and the Royal Scot Greys routed
the enemy and speared a large number
in flight.
“It must be remembered throughout,
that the operations in France are vast,
and that we are on only one wing of the
whole field of battle. This strategic po
sition of ourselves and our allies are such
whereas a decisive victory for our armies
in France probably would be fatal to the
enemy, a, continuance) of resistance by
the Anglo-French armies upon such a
scale as to keep In the closest grip the
enemy's best troops can. if prolonged, lead
only to one conclusion.“
Rap at Correspondents
London, August 30.—(6.30 p. m.)
The official information bureau ac
companied the publication of Lord
Kitchener’s long statement on the sit
uation of the British army at the front
today with a rap at correspondents
whose stories purport to be made up
of personal experiences on the battle
lines. The bureau says:
“The bureau has issued an official
.statement this evening describing the
fortunes of the expeditionary force dui
ing the past few days. Tills statement,
the terms of which have been can*
fully considered, accurately and fully
describes the present position. The bu
reau has not found it necessary to for
bid tile publication of messages deal
ing with the recent operations provided
soot) messages neither gave away mili
tary information nor disclosed the or
ganization or position of the troops.
‘‘These messages, however, should be
received with extreme caution. No cor
respondents are at the front and the
information is derived at second or
third hand from persons who often arc
in condition to tell coherent stories and
who are certain to be without the per
spective which is necessary to con
struct or understand the general sit
uation.
"It is hoped that the statement is
sued tonight will -dissipate any appre
hensions caused by such reports and
restore' the necessary perspective to
the recant operations." v
A Buev VT REE T OF UILLE .
The French city of Lille, reported occupied by the Germans, was an
important paint in their progress .toward I’arit's which by the line of the
Northeri r.ili s-a., ties rrfilyr n>a swilw fjwsn I “a* is on the southwest ft
is in the center of a broad plain, which permits rapid advance toward
Paris. The only obstacles in the way of fortifications in a direct line
| between Lille and Paris are the fortifications ai Amiens and Perrone, al
though south of the direct line between Paris and Lille are Ihe fortifica
tions of La Fere and Scissons. The rich agricultural country about Lille
would be of great aid to (he invaders’ foraging parties.
Desperate Fighting
Continues Along the
Austrian Frontier
London, August 30.—(11:40 p. m.)—Desperate lighting con
tinues along the Austrian frontier, says an official statement is
j sued at St. Petersburg, and telegraphed here by the corres
pondent of the Renter Telegram company.
“In east Prussia,” says the Russian war office, “the gar
risons and fortresses of Thorn and Graudenz (east of the Vis
tula) are taking part with a large number of siege guns. We
have taken 3000 prisoners in the operations east of Lemberg
(capital of Galicia).
"Near Pogerz (Just south of the Vis
tula) tile enemy lost 3000 mei^, and
we captured four guns, a number of
caissons of ammunition and nine guns
abandoned by the Austrians when they
crossed the Holokia. North of Tomaeheif
we took 1000 prisoners and surround
ed and defeated tlie Hungarian fif
teenth division east of Tomacheef, er
tire regiments surrendering.
"The enemy is making his principal
efforts in the -direction of Lublin (in
i Kusslun Poland, 95 miles southeast of
Warsaw ), w here the fltThtln* is fieree."
tlrund Duke Nicholas, commander in
chief of tiie Kusslap army, declares
that tin* Polish .Sokols, in vl.*w of then
disloyal ‘conduct unrl their use of ex
plosives and flat-nosed bullets, have
no claim to In* treated with magnanim
ity und therefore will he considered not
as combatants hut as criminals under
the military law, the correspondent
i says.
; The UuK'lnn newspapers announce
I that the German railways are preparing
j to tiansport troops from their western
| front against Kussia.
I THE DAY’S DEVELOPMENTS
That the French lines nre still fulling
l»aek before the German advance Is In
dicated In an oliidwZ^ktatcment Issued
by the French war office, wlilcli su.vs
the progress of the German right wing
has obliged the French left to yield
ground.
Karl Kitchener, llrltsli secretary of
war, gives In detail tlie part played by
flrltlsli troops In the operations In He|
glum and France. These opera Mona ex
tended from August 2.1 to August 2(1 mid
the Vlrltftsh losses numbered about <1000.
The condition slid spirits of the llr!t~
isb troops at the front are described
as excellent and reinforcements have
been sent up to more than fill the tin*
gups ereaten by the casualties.
A German aviator has appeared over
Paris and was engaged Hunday in
dropping bombs in a populous part of
the city. Several bombs failed to ex
plode. according to the accounts, and
the only two persons injured were
women.
Paris is preparing for a siege should
the lines opposing, the Germans bo
broken. Kpormous stocks of food have
been placed in the state warehouses
and shecep and cattle in vast number*
have been herded in the Bolp de Bou
logne.
A British official statement says that
of the 1200 men comprising the crews
of the flvet German warships sunk off
Helgoland only 330 were saved.
A Berlin dispatch says that th? Ger
man army is energetically pressing the
Husain ns in the neighborhood of Alien
stein. KaHt Prussia.
History Being Made
London, August 31.—(I^;f» a. in.>-‘-Only
bulletins of Napoleonic brevity have
come in the lust 24 hours from all the
far-spread battle lines. History Is being
made on three great fields »»f action
along 250 miles of French frontier, on
200 miles of the Austrlgi-Hungarian bor
der and through si wide area of eastern
Prussia.
Silence has covered Austria's war with
Servla for several days, but that has b.
conie a minor detail of the death struggle
of the Furors an powers.
The: HuHslan front Is tUe .scene 'of
events of Wic greatest magnitude, hut
between- the claims and'counter-claims of
i • he.irgereiu:! there is such a vital dif
ference it is impossible to form an esti
mate of which way the balance swings.
From northern France the news ap
pears to follow events by thrye or four
days The French embassy announces
that there bus been hard fighting on
the right, wing of its norUiein army near
Mizleres since Friday and also that the
German forces are making progress in
tin- I«a Fere district, which apparently
means that the French left wing has re
tired Home what farther, but’ It Is not
revealed how near the Germans have ap
proached to IjK Fere fortresses. British
official reports Sunday say that the Brit
ish army no longer constitutes the left
wing of the allied forces, but that the
French have reinforced on the west. It
further says that the French have been
fighting both east and west of them and
have, brought the German steam roller
to a standstill foK a time. ,
The Hermans ure believed to b« forging
(ion cl a tied mb I'atK* Two)
29 BRITONS KILLED
THE REGENT NAVAL
FIGHT AT HELGOLAND
Accounts of Battle Declare
It Perfect in Execu
tion as Well as
in Plan
BRITISH DESTROYERS
LI RE GERMANS INTO
TRAP IN OPEN SEA
Following Fierce Naval Engagement
(lerma 11 Fleet Flees in Direction of
Cuxhaven Pursued hy British
Destroyers. Whose duns Do
Terrible Execut ion
I
London, \huiin( .'til.—t 11:1.1 n. »*».» —
T’"i*ntJ-nine killed mid !tM wounded whh
Hir t»Hee In men |»nid hi I he llrlli«h for
I he nit'nl net ion nunliiNt the Lentiit tin
In llelgnlniMl I'lu hi KrltlHS The ad
I niirnlt' t of In y announced (lie eimuftlGc*
■ mm CttllonN:
"The light cruiser Arethusu Lint
Lieutenant Kric Weatnmeott n n«l
nine iiicii Uiled; four men seriously . -
wounded, and Lieutenant Itnidnsou
and 1 1 men wounded but nut ser
iously.
"Thy torpedo boat destroyer Lib
• rt> lust Lieutenant t’ornimtndoi*
l hi rti I ltd and six men killed; one
man who since has ihr**i from
wntiudM; on** dangerously wounded,
f'l\" seriousl' wounded and five
alightly wounded.
"Tlve destroyer Laurel suffered
to men killed; ono hum hDico died
of bln wounds; two men dang.rous
ly wounded; seven sail oils l y
wounded niul two slightly wound
ed.
The Liberty. a British dey,tro>**i. was
lilt by a xh"II which MhaiVred her nut*',
uwy.v. u.i,rt vtf fuH* lu bige. fl'tyutPlyW
In i Ken rohUffhl** and klHed her enm* v
mamler, Lieutenant rontnmmicr Nigel.
K \V. Larttbd and William Butcher,
Ills si gnu I mull
At counts of t *• UttttId* eg v it was
iiettVi’v In execution tin well an In plan. .
Led it dtiwit by n fearlesH small «le-^*/
taehimiit. the destroyers crept within
the German, lines between Helgoland
and the German coast.
(ierinanfc Are l.nred Into Trap
An aoroplatie sighted them and gave
the lieWH to Hie Germulis. whose do
st royal's rum© out. The, British de
stroyers lufed tin- Germans to the open
sea where other destroyers were wait
ing spread out in' fan ahupe. A smalt
engagement followed and then the Ger
man cruisers came out. The British
light cruiser Arethusa. after a sighting'
shot got her range splendidly and hit }
the foremost gun of one of the cruisers,
demolishing il The Arethusa then fired
a f« w broadsides at the enemy. Her
aim was excellent. They hit u German
cruiser which at once burst into smoko
and flames, but soon afterward a Ger
man shot did some damage to the en
gine room of tin- Arethusa.
The destroyers Liberty and Laertes ^
fought a grand fight. A shell brought
down the mast of the Liberty. Tho
Uiertes was bit amidships, a hole was
shot through her funnel, her forward
guns were damaged and she received
also a shell In the dynamo room ami
a shot aft which wrecked her cabin.
It was hot work, but at that moment
the British light cruisers and battle
cruisers appeared. It. was the moment
for which they had been waiting. Tho
first shot fiout one of the British bat
tle cruisers sank n German cruiser
which had been battering a destroyer.
(Jerinans Flee Toward CuxhHvcn
The Ui'itrmn fleet then turned and
fled In the direction of t'uxhaven. but
was pursued by British destroyers,
which did terrible execution with their
four-Inch guns.
Many of the Germans landed after
the battle from the British ships who
were wounded by revolver bullets. Tt Is
declared the revolvers were used by
German officers to prevent their men
surrendering to the British boats which
bad out off to save their drowning op
ponents. Borne of the boats lowered to
the rescue of the Germans, il is said,
were fired on by German cruisers.
Minimized by (iermins
London. August 30. — (10:r»5 p. in.)—A
Marconi dispatch from Berlin gives an
official statement concerning the na
val battle off Helgoland. It says:
“The naval engagement nety Helgo
land is treated by the press as being
without significance and as an occur
rence whlpli cannot affect the general
situation The fighting took place ap
14oit 11 mart] on t*n*e Two)
j TODAY’S ACE-HERALD
1— German ueroplane tiro* - ImhiUjh down
upon Burls.
British In France nf'.< r four days’
fighting ready lor next buttle.
Details «d naval engagement at Helgo
land
Reported Fngllsh lose heavily at St.
Quentin.
I ’Phe day’s developments.
2— Turkey may enter struggle as ally of
Gorins ny.
3— Britain lias six1 billions In American
securities.
Home /lecivueo in mill operations.
I Henry against woman suffrage.
B-KUitorjttl comment*
5~Hunday crowds at the aoo. *
More optimistic feeling now that plan
to finance cotton Is settled.
i New evidence of an underground river
on Southside.
Judge Grubb would accept promotion
is tenuered.
Iron and steel men tu be entertained
at newspaper club,
t Sports.
8— British aryiy in field in good condition.
Keller begins tour Into north Alabama.
Paris making preparations to with*
stand siege.
„ V ^ ' y