The Birmingham age-herald. [volume], November 16, 1914, Image 1

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THE BIRMINGHAM AGE-HERALD
i . VOLUME XXXXIV_'_BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, MONDAY, NOVEMBER Irt. 1!>14 NUMBER 104
AFTER FOUR WEEKS
THERE ISA LULL IN
FLANDERS BATTLE
Little Relief to Men in Trenches, However, as
Hail of Lead and Steel Has Been Replaced by
Severe Storm—Germans Prepare to Spend
Winter in Belgium by Erecting Forts.
London. November 15.— (9:45 p. m.)—After four weeks of most desperate
fighting, there is a lull in the battle in Flanders.
Little relief, however, has come for the men in the trenches, as the artillery
and rifle fire has been replaced by a severe November storm.
In some parts of England the storm has become a blizzard; on the sea a
heavy gale rages, and the battlefields are getting their full share of wind and
rain.
For the most part the opposing armies have been content to shell each
other at long range, but the Germans have made several attacks around Ypres,
which, according to the French general staff, have been repulsed with heavy
losses. It Is not believed that the Germans have any intention of giving up
their attempt to reach the French coast, and the allies are making elaborate
preparations to block any further advance in force.
FvfoncivA r)ofonun urnrlrc Iiova Kppn
erected along the Yser canal, and the
French armies are holding their line
from the Belgian border sonth to the
Kivcr Oise, and pushing forward ap
proach works which place them in a
belter position for either defense or
offense.
GERMANS FIND DIXMUDE
VERITABLE DEATH TRAP
The Germans report they have taken a
few hundred British and French prison
ers, but that the unfavorable weather has
impeded their progress. Concerning Dix
xuudo the public must rely on unofficial
reports. It Is said the Germans are find
ing the destroyed village a death trap.
They have been unable to debouch from
it In the day time, as all the approaches
are commanded by the allies' guns and
night attacks have met with disaster.
The fact Is apparent that neither side
I 1ms made any significant advanco. both
being so well entrenched that neither ar
tillery nor Infantry can move them.
The Germans are turning Belgium Into
a fortress, which means that if they da
not succeed In advancing they Intend to
be prepared to winter there. The whole
t coast from Ostend to the Dutch border
| has been placed In a state of defense,
| and civilians are rigorously excluded from
that area.
FIGHTING CONTINUES
l IN EAST PRUSSIA
Fighting continues In East Prussia and
! other regions in the east between the
' Russians and the Germans and Aus
j triant, but apnarrntly without dcclsiv,
. eeult.
A battle of some proportions is going or
, between the Russians and Turks at
Koprukeul. in the Caucasus, tlio result ol
which may have a marked bearing on
the war in that part of the world. Else
where in the near east there has been
no engagement of importance.
England, It is announced, has no inten
tion of undertaking any military or wai
operations in Arabia, except for protection
of Arab interests against Turkish or othet
aggression, or In support of attempts by
q the Arabs to free themselves from Turk
ish rule.
Bulgaria also has set at rest the report
1 that she had an agreement with Turkey,
Issuing a statement that no such agree
ment exists.
The Servians and Montenegrins whi
i started out to invade Bosnia and Herze
govina and were at one time approach
ing the Bosnian capital of Sarayevo, art
now back in their own territory, where,
i, according to their own accounts, they art
j offering a stubborn resistance to the Aus
" trlans. The weather is favorable to them,
| as snow is falling.
j. The Scandinavian countries and Holland
fern much exercised over the sowing ol
mines where they endanger neutral ves
i sels. That the mines are in great number
is shown by the fact that dozens are be
ing driven on the Dutch coast.
Sir Gilbert Parker will question Premlei
Asquith tomorrow in the House of Corn
mens on this and other matter sof Im
portance to neutral countries, and It is
I understood the premier will make a state
ment regarding the sowing of mines, the
searching of neutral vessels for enemy
teservlsts, and the treatment of ship
ments of oil and copper which are de
stined for Germany and Austria through
neutral countries.
Coffee Roasters to Meet
New Orleans. November 15.—Several
hundred delegate® are expected to at
tend the annual convention of the Na
tional Coffee Roasters' association,
which will he held h*re this week
The convention will open tomorrow
end will continue through Thursday.
I
TODAY’S AGE-HERALD
1—Lull in Flanders buttle after foui
weeks.
Federal reserve bank® to open foi
business today.
j' Germany denies English charge*
r | of laying mines.
Stock yards in Chicago to opei:
for business today.
♦—Verify sinking of AudacioiM fej
submerged mine.
•—Good feeling is still dominant Ir
comparative views.
■ 4—Editorial comment
J ♦—Robert Welts telegrapher, get?
futal shot fired by young wpman
J, Birmingham merchnnts optimistic
A over heavy trade Saturday.
Inquiry for 35,000 horses and mules
for use of allies mude in Bir
mingham.
Local women leave tomorow foi
federation.
•—Suffragists boil po.Rtical pot or
day of rest.
7—Service between America and Eng
land curtailed.
•—British monitor’s light draughi
and heavy armament.
•••••••••••a********•••••••••••**•••••••••••••••••«
I Germans Not Yet Across Yser
I'hielt, Belgium, November 15.—(Vis
l Van Ghent, The Hague and Lon
w)—The Germans have not yet sue
ded In crossing the Yser In front oi
smude and that town, having beer
Irely destroyed, has been of lit
value to the Invaders,
leavy fogs and pouring rains an
istng much sickness. The trenchei
i flooded and as a result life soldleri
suffer from severe colds and pneumo
nia. The nearby villages having been
destroyed, the nearest hospitals art
, in Ghent and Bruges and these already
are overcrowded.
The exhaustion of the troops has
caused a momentary lapse In Infantry
operations and the battle continues to
be chiefly an artillery duel, which, ow
' lng to fog, is of a desultory character.
1 Military men here expect no decision
i for several days.
OF LAYING MINES
Says All Mines Were Se
curely Anchored and
Placed on English
Coast
Berlin, November 15.—(Via The
Hague and London.)—Germany's an
swer to British charges regarding the
laying of mines in the North sea, as
printed In the Norddeutsche Allege
meine Zeitung, asserts that the eight
agreements of the socond Hague con
ference. to which the British govern
ment refers in its note to the neutral
powers, never have been fully ratified.
Nevertheless, Germany announces she
will act in accordance with the terms
of these agreements.
The British charge that Germany vio
lated provisions regarding mine lay
ing is categorically denied. The article
declared Germany never used fishing
boats or vessels flying neutral flags in
Uij',ti£vTatr**s* al\ wer^ 1^4i hv wuc ves
sels. Neither has Germany land mines
in the high seas. All have been laid as
near to English harbor entrances as
'.the coast lines and character of the
bottom permitted; all have been care
fully anchored and neutral powers have
been duly informed.
It is untrue, continues the paper, that
Germany has barred neutral ports by
laying mines. If some of the German
mines laid on the English coast have
drifted to sea through heavy stroms
these arc much less numerous than the
English mines driven onto the Dutch
and Belgian coasts.
England's charges, concludes the ar
ticle, were dictated with the design of
excusing England’s closure of the North
sea.
GET SIGNIFICANT
MESSAGE FROM THE
MEXICAN REPUBLIC
State Department Officers Are Puz
zled By Conflicting Notes
from Consuls in
Mexico
Washington, November 15.—Puzzling but
apparently significant dispatches from
Mexico received today by the state depart
ment left officials very much in doubt
as to what is going on in the southern
republic.
The first, a consular dispatch from
Aguas Calientes, announced that General
Gutierrez, named by the convention as
provisional President, yesterday demanded
Carranza's retirement as first chief of the
constitutionalists within 24 hours.
The second, from Consul Sifliman in
Mexico City, said the possibilities of a
peaceful settlement of the differences be
tween Carranza and the Aguas Calientes
convention were brighter today than at
any time since the breach occurred. Gen
eral Blanco, commanding the Carranza
forces in Mexico City, Mr. Silliman said,
advised him that an agreement binding
the leaders to adjust their differences
without further hostilities were confidently
expected.
The advices from Aguas Calientes said
Gutierrez had informed Carranza that
unless a definite answer to his demands
were forthcoming by Sunday night a
general movement against him would be
ordered.
Austria Orders Offensive
London. November 15.—A Berlin dis
patch to the Central News says Aus
tria has ordered an offensive with all
possible force against the Servians, in
the hope of ending the Balkan phaas
of the war before winter and releas
ing further troops for service against
the Russians.
Herman Throws Sponge
New Orleans, November 15.—Pete Her
man's seconds threw the sponge in the
ring during the rest period following thf
twelfth round in his scheduled 20-round
fight with Frankie Burns here today,
Burns was complete master of the situa
tion after the seventh round. The men
weighed 116 pounds ringside.
| BAVARIAN MACHINE GUN SQUAD FIGHTING FOR THE KAISER
■ ■ ■ ■ - " -■
o jm*mm. l iniuwp. i i
Lnnp 1 1 ■ <nmnnnilk. ammmmm****' i' iw— .* - ■» _ t_ , urn—' v _>■ n^gmi—■—————■———i——■———■——————■I
These Bavarians shown above are not Austrian soldiers. The shako is used extensively by the Bavarians. The headdress of this particular detachment is a leather shako.
Their tunic is of gray-green cloth, with round scarlet collar, cuffs and shoulder cords and brown leather knee boots. Range finders and telescopes are carried by each detachment. Ma
chine gun batteries are independent units in each army corps of the German army. Each machine gun company consists of six guns, which are either worked together in battery when
they are attached to regiments, or they can be sent to battalions in pairs. In the latter case they are used with the utmost boldness and usually accompany a firing line of the battalion
in action. The guns are of the same calibre as the German rifle, viz., .31I-in. They fire the Spitzer sharp nosed bullet.
| HOW BRITISH FIGHT IN THEIR TRENCHES
FEDERAL RESERVE
BANKS TO OPEN FOR
BUSINESS TODAY
Operations of System for Present to Be Limited
Largely to Rediscounting of Notes, Drafts and
Bills of Exchange—To Start With Membership
of 7571 Banks—Directors All Chosen.
Washington, November 15.—After months of preparation by the federal re
serve board and by the country’s bankers, the 12 federal reserve banks will
open tomorrow for business, marking the first great change in the barring
system of this country in the last 50 years.
The 12- banks, designated to-take care of thk coniir ercial ‘Hddi the ontire
nation, are located in the following cities: Boston, New York. Philadelphia,
Richmond, Atlanta, Cleveland, Chicago, Minneapolis. St. Louis, Kansas City,
! Dallas and San Francisco.
lira
Every Passport Is Closely
Scrutinized—Trenches
In Course of Con
struction
Blamont, France, via Paris, November
15.—(6:11 p. m.)—At nearly every furlong
within the fighting zone on the frontier
of Ijorraine the challenge, "Halt!” is
sharply shot at the passerby, and a sen
tinel brings a tlxed bayonet to charge
while the commander closely scrutinizes
the challenged person’s permit.
On ea<di aide of the road. In the holds,
hundreds of soldiers labor with pick
and .spude at entrenchments, now regard
ed as better than stone or steel built for
tifications. These trendies, almost in
visible to an approaching foe, are at least
live deep deep, with a ridge a foot high
and of the same breadth above them. Tula
permits the occupants to stand erect.
Over all are spread tin* branches
of trees and bushes, with in
terstices which permit rifle to lire with
out being seen. At Intervals are tratifl
verso tranches through which the soldiers
can retire without exposing fliemselve .
In the village farms all about tin* coun
try are regiments of cavalry getting
mounts, mostly requisitioned horses, into
shape for service. In mahy Melds arc en
camped supply columns and ammunition
packs.
As a traveler approaches a fortihed city
or position the precautions become still
more severe. At every bridge, railroad
crossing or cross roads, sentinels are post
ed. After dusk lights are prohibited.
CAILLAUX TO MAKE
INQUIRY FOR FOOD
IN SOUTH AMERICA
Former French Minister Would Se
cure Raw Materials and Food
stuffs For the French
Army in Field
Paris. November 16.—(3:50 p. in.)—A
Huvas Agency dispatch from Bordeaux
says the purpose of the trip of former
Minister of Flounce Joseph Calllaux to
South America is a visit to Inquire Into
the possibilities of obtaining Brazilian
raw materials and foodstuffs.
M. Calllaux, who is treasurer und gen
eral paymaster of the French army,
sailed with Mme. Calllaux on the steam
er Perou from Bordeaux yesterday.
The correspondent says M. Calllaux
will pay particular attention to the
matter of Brazilian Imports to replace
supplies formerly received from Aus
tria and Germany. Among the most Im
portant are clothes, porcelains, chemical
and pharmaceutical promote, mac-lilacs
and machine tools.
I*or the present their operations will
he limited largely to rediscounting of
notes, drafts and bills of exchange,
but as experience is gained, steps to
have them exercise their other func
tions under the currency act will ha
taken. The directors of all the hanks
have been selected, the hoard has
named its representative for each and
suitable quarters have been secured
in all the 12 cities.
SYSTEM STARTS WITH
7571 MEMBER BANKS j
Officials her© will watch the progress
of the system with utmost Interest. It !
starts with 7571 member banks with au
thorized capital of $106,795,600, of which
one-sixth is in their vaults. The exact
figures for the cash reserves in all Vi 1
batiks has not been accurately completed,
hut is estimated at clos© to 1360,000,000
drawn under the law from tin* present re
serve agents of member banks.
The reserve hanks begin operations at
a Time when members of the hoard feel
there Is an excellent opportunity t° test
out the system. Their ability to re-dis
count Commercial paper has been counted
upon to loosen the purse strings of
banks, provide machinery for taking care
of crops and generally meet business
needs.
The formal call for the opening will be
sent out tomorrow by Sleeretarv McAdoo.
In speaking of the opening, Secretary Mc
| AdOo said tonight:
M'ADOO I SSI' ES
STATEMENT ON OPENING
“The opening of these bunks marks a
now era in the history of bus,ness and
finance in tills country, it is believed that
they will put an end to the annual anx*
ietv from which the country has suffered
for the past generation about insufficient
money and credit to move the crops each
year and will give such stability to the
banking luiHiitejig that the extreme fluctu
ations Ip interest rates and available
credits which have characterized banking
in tbe past will he destroyed permanently.
The federal reserve banks provide for a
system of credits based upon commercial
paper,'thus at last securing to the coun
try an udequate supply of the necessary
credits to meet th“ legitimate demands of
business as they develop. The supply will
l e absolutely responsive to the demand,
and thus business will be freed from re- .
strlctlortfs, limitations and Injuries from
which It-has suffered in the past because
it has not been able to receive at the time
when most needed the credit facilities
wh|i*l» were essential to Its regular and
proper development. The whole country
is to be coiigi u tula ted. ‘
The Secretary said he was prutitierf with
the .prompt und cheerful response to his
suggestion that the hanks he ready for
bushiest* tomorrow. In every district, he
said, the member hanks had Joined In an
earnest effort to open the .system under
the most auspicious circumstances.
ALL IN READINESS
IN ATLANTA DISTRICT
Atlanta, November I*. — The federal
reserve hank for the so Ah district will
i pen hero tomorrow with $i,tioo,000 in
impostts expected in a few days, the
pmouut representing the first Install
ment of the subscript Ion of lhe member
hanks. Of this sum. 3780.000 In gold
nr gold certificates is already on hand.
The remainder will be In lawful money
as described by the* federal reserve
JCl.
Dallas Is Ready
Dallas, Tex., November 15.—With
approximately one million dollars In
(Ceatlnucd on Page Two*
Y* .!
INTERIOR. VEEN*/ BRITISH! TRENCH.
Thin drawing by D. Mnepherson, npeclnl artist for The Age-Herald, the New York Herald and the Lon
don Shpere, shown how the Rritinh troops entrench thcniNcIvcn to fight the (•crinnn*. Through the loophole ttt
which the soldiers are .stationed '**111 be seen on the skyline the lmrbed tv lie entanglements which have .been
erected to prevent sudden rushes by the cuemy. The trenches hove been well described In iiu official state
ment from British headquarters, which nnyss “Tlic quarries and caves to which allusion already has been
made, provide ample accommodation for whole battalions and most comfortable are the shelters which have
been constructed in them.**
PRESIDENT WILSON
CLOSES HIS VISIT AND
RETURNS TO CAPITAL
Attends Church Services in New
York and Then Drives Ten
Miles in Rain For
Dinner
New York, November 15.—President
Wilson closed Lis week-end visit to
New York at 5 o'clock this afternoon
and started for Washington, where he
was to arrive at 11 o’clock tonight.
The President attended the Fifth ave
nue Presbyterian ohuroh this morning
and this afternoon drove 10 miles in
a rainstorm to the home of Cleveland
H. Dodge, at Riverside, where he took
dinner. With him were Colonel and Mrs.
E. M. House, Dr. C. T. Grayson and Misd
Margaret Wilson.
Few persons recognized the President
during the day.
ENEMY MUST LEAVE
FRANKFORT-ON-MAIN
Chief of Police Orders Subjects of
Nations Hostile to Germany
to (vet Out
Berlin, November 16.—(Via London,
8:35 p. m.)—The chief of police ol
Frankfort-on-Main announces that all
subjects ofj hostile nations must leave
tho township before November 24. They
must appear before the chief of police
pilot it#, November 17 to inform him
of their presence, and to indicate the
plpor to which they desire to move.
The story that the Russians' between
Ociott. -t. *uu November 5 captured
22,000 Germans, together with 100 can
non and four howitzers, is officially
denied.
GERMAN REPORT
Berlin. .November IB.—(Vln Unduu,
3;3S p. m.)—German general head
quarter, report tbl, afternoon no fal
low* i
“The fighting on our right wing
made only very ,llghl progre** yen
terdny owing to the unfhvoroble
weather, but in the eourne of n dif
ficult preliminary encounter we ma
tured nevernl hundred French and Eng
II,h and two maehlne gun,. In the for
est of- Argonne we uueeeeded la blow
ing np and captaring n strong French
■mint of support. The report of tht
Flench that they had dispersed a Ger
man division at Colncourt (department
of Hearthe-et-Moselle) to the south 01
Tt.rfsl. (n an Invention. On the con
trary, the French suffered .-onslder.
able losses here, while we did not lost
a single man. Fighting continue, 01
the East Prussian frontier and In Mus
sina Poland without definite deeteien.'
UNION STOCK YARDS
AND PACKING HOUSES
IN CHICAGO TO OPEN
TODAY FOR BUSINESS
Railroads Notified That the Quaran
tine Will Be Raised and Reg
ulations For Shipments
Are Issued—Must
Disinfect Cattle
Chicago. November 15.—The Union
Stock yards and packing houses, after
a thorough disinfection during nine
days of quarantine for foot and mouth
diseases, were declared tonight to be
rid of any danger of spreading the dis
ease and ready for reopening tomor
row morning. Railroads were notified
that the quarantine bad been raised,
effective at midnight, and cattle, sheep
and hogs would be received for slaugh
ter subject to these regulations:
No animal.may be shipped from quar
antined areas.
Animals, must be shipped In disin
fected cars and loaded from disinfected
pens.
The cars must be sealed and no stops
made for food or water in Infected
areas.
All animals shipped to Chicago must
be slaughtered with 36 hours.
No live animals will be allowed here.
Episcopal Synod to Convene
New Orleans, November ID.—Promi
nent southern churchmen, Includin'.';
bishops, clergymen and laymen, will
attend the synod of the fburth prov
ince of the Protestant Episcopal
church, which convenes here this week
Fourteen dioceses in the states of
Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida. Geor
gia, Kentucky. Tennessee. North Car
olina and South Carolina will be repr
resented. Preliminary services will be
' held Tuesday evening and the sessions
will continue through Thursday, .term
inating in a mass meeting.
AFGHANISTAN MAY
GET INTO THE WAR
Berlin, November 14.—(By Wire
less, Delayed.)—The following has
been given to the press from official
sources:
“Constantinople reports that the
Ameer of Afghanistan has decided to
declare war on Russia and England.
The Khedive of Egypt declared to the
correspondent of the Frankfurter Zei
I tung his loyalty to the Sultan. The
! Khediv* intends to accompany the
Turkish army which is marching on
Egypt.”
••
& VA'i •,» /■ ,
GOVERNMENT WILL
GUARANTEE LOANS
MADE MERCHANTS
England Would Facilitate the Opening
of Liverpool Cotton Exchange.
To Guarantee Only Mar
• - het Loans
London, November 15.—(8:45 p. m.)
To facilitate the reopening of the Liver
pool cotton exchange the government
in consultation with directors of the
Liverpool Cotton association and the
Liverpool banks has arranged for gov
ernment guarantee of advances made to
merchants by the banks. Those desiring
advances will have to disclose their af
fairs and their books to the banks.
The guarantee is to apply only to
advances to meet market differences,
from 5 pence per pound downwards,
which the merchants may have paid or
may still have to pay in respect to
future contracts. All advances are to
bo repaid not later than one year after
the termination of the war.
EMPEROR WILLIAM
RETURNS TO KOLMAR
Reported Peace Propaganda Unoffi
cially Started in Southern
Germany
Geneva, Switzerland, November 15
(Via Paris, 7:01 p. m.)—Emperor Wil
liam, accompanied by his staff, re
turned Friday to Kolmar, 40 miter
southwest of Stassburg, bis starting
point at the commencement of the war
according to a dispatch from Basel.
Two powerful German aeroplanes art
constantly In flight over the Emperor's
bead quarters.
It Is reported from Basel that pri
vate committees are being formed In
southern Germany with the connivance
Of the authorities to start unofficially
a peace propaganda.
FRENCH REPORT
Faria. November 15.—<10:40 p. m. *
Tlie following official communication
vna fawned by the war office tonight:
“The meat notable Incident of the
riuy haa been the throwing back ol
the enemy on the right bank of tb«
Yaer canal. That part of the left hank
which the Germane have prevfonaly
held haa been completely evacuated.
••We have retaken to the aonth ol
lilaachoete a ainall wood which hail
been lowt following a night attack.
“At the end of the day the enemy
I hud ahowa without aucceaa an offea
| *l»e to the aonth of Yprea.
“On the rent of the there I*
nothing to report.*’
N