The Birmingham age-herald. [volume], July 21, 1915, Image 1

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B THE BIRMINGHAM AGE HERALD
B VOLUME XXXXV_ BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 1915 10 PAGES NUMBER 76
LITTLE LESS THAN
' MIRACLE CAN SAVE
CAPITAL OF POLAND
Austro-Germans Continue to Pound
Russian Defenders With Deadly
Effect—Outlying Fortresses
Already Have Fallen
TURKISH VESSELS DESTROYED
\ London, July 20.—(9:01 p. m.)—A fleet of 59 Turkish sailing vessels
laden with war materials for the Turkish army of the Caucasus has been i
destroyed by Russian torpedo boat destroyers, according to a dispatch from !
Sebastopol to Reuter's Telegram company. The sailing vessels were on a
voyage to Trebizond, a seaport of Asiatic Turkey on the Black sea. The
crews of the Turkish ships were made prisoners by the destroyers.
| London, July 20.—(9:55 p. m.)—The Austro-Germans con
tinue pounding the Russian front, and military critics say noth
ing but a miracle can save Warsaw, the Polish capital.
p This seems to be the consensus of opinion, even among those in England
who heretofore have hoped the Russians would turn and deliver a counter
blow, and news of the evacuation of Warsaw, followed by the triumphant entry
of the Germans amid such scenes as were enacted at Przemysl and Lemberg
would come as no surprise.
?: The German official statement, beginning its recital at the northern tip of
the battle line, records the progress of the German troops to within about 50
kulles of Riga, then following the great battle arc southward, chronicles further
successes northeast of Warsaw, culminating in the capture of Ostrolenka, one
of the fortresses designed to shield the Polish capital. •
Immediately southwest ol the city and
less than 20 miles away, Blonie has
fallen, and farther south Groject.
German cavalry are striking at the im
portant railway from Kadom to Ivan
gorod. The Lublin-Cholm Is still in Rus
sian hands, so far as Is known, but the
town of Lublin eit'her has been cap
tured or Is In danger of falling. The
Russian commander In chief has issued
through the civil officers an order that
in case of a retreat the male population
of Lublin is to attach itself to the re
treating troops.
There has been a Hash of British ac
tivity In Flanders without any appre
ciable change In the situation, and the
British public is far more interested Jn
the South Wales coal strike, which, by
s •••••*••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••*••••••••«
virtue of uavid Noya-ueorge s nymg
visit to Cardiff, seems to have been set
tied. Tt is understood that virtually all
of the strikers’ demands have been
granted.
""The Servian armies are being re
equipped and reorganized, according to
advices reaching London, and soon will
be ready to resume the offensive.
Fighting at Radom
Vienna, July 20.—(Via London, 10:15
]>. m.)—Radom, capital of the provine*,
of Radom, which lies 57 miles south of
Warsaw, was captured today by the Teu
tonic allies, according to an official
•communication issued here tonight.
The communication reads:
“Between the Vistula and Bug rivers
(Continued on I'itge Three)
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••■••••••••••••••••••••ft*
IMPORTANT TEUTON
SUCCESS CLAIMED
' AGAINST RUSSIANS
Another Baltic Port Falls
as the Austro-Germans
Tighten Grip Upon
5 Warsaw
»
Berlin July II.—Via Amsterdam and
tfondon. July 20. 5:22 'a m.)— Important
Teutonic successes from the Baltic to
Rukowlna are claimed in an official war
office statement, Issued today. The army
of General Von Gallwitz is said to lie
standing in force on the Narew line,
southwest of Nowngeorgievosk. one of the
girdles of fortresses which permits pro
tection to Warsaw and only 10 miles from
the Polish capital.
With the capture of Windau tile Ger
mans have come Into possession of an
other Baltic seaport and are within a few
miles of Riga, seat of the governor gen
eral of the Baltic provinces.
The German and Austrian forces are
■aid to have taken 45,000 prisoners.
The communication follows:
“Western theatre: In the district of
Buuchez, after a comparatively quiet day,
fighting became more spirited during the
night. A French attack agalMt Souchoz
was repulBed, and attack»*South of
Souchez were prevented by our Are.
| "Between the Oise and the Argonne
there van vigorous artillery and mine
fighting. Weak enemy attacks in the Ar
gonne forest were unimportant.
! Alternate Successes
‘On the Meuse heights southwest of
Sparges and on the Tranches the fight
ing is proceeding with alternate successes.
Our troops lost minor local, advantages
gained on the 17th, but captured three offi
cers and 300 men.
' “Russian war theatre: German troops
occupied Tokum and captured Windau
(Windau is a seaport in Courland, on the
Baltic, at the mouth of the Windau
river). Pursuing the enemy, who was
defeated on the Aa river, at Altautz, our
troops yesterday reached the district of
Mofzumbergc and northwest of Mltau,
(Coatlaued ea Page Three)
SOUTH WALES COAL
STRIKE TO BE ENDED
UNDER AGREEMENT
Government Representatives
and Miners Adopt Tenta
tive Plan for Adjust
ing Difficulty
Cardiff, July 20.—(10:10 p. m.)—Gov
ernment representalIves, mine owners
and miners reached an agreement here
today which it is believed Will end the
great South Wales coal -strike, which
since last Thursday lias menaced the
navy's fuel supply. The agreement is
subject to ratification by the miners
through delegates which will assemble
tomorrow.
The terms arrived at grant a sub
stantial wage increase and involve
concessions which strike leaders con
sider as tantamount to an admission of
nearly all the miners' claims. Delegates
tonight wrere visiting their districts
canvassing the sentiments there pre
paratory to tomorrow's vote.
If tomorrow's meeting should bring
a settlement the thanks of the country
will go chiefly to David Lloyd-Geor&e,
the munitions minister, for his arrival
here Monday night paved the way for
breaking the deadlock.
The chief cause of the miners' un
rest wras what they considered the ex
cessive proflits mine owners were mak
ing in the sale of their coal at war
prices—profits in which they were not
sharing. They also deeply resented en
forced arbitration as authorised by the
application of the munitions act to coal
miners. Though it is now a law, this
measure was not actually invoked
against the miners and no mention is
made of its future scope in the proposed
settlement
If the vote tomorrow is favorable
to ending the strike 200,000 men will
return to work immediately and agree
to abide by the terms of the settlement
until six months after the war's termi
nation.
The hopeful turn of affairs haa been
received with a sigh of relief all o*er
Great Britain, for the humiliation of
the public that a strike should have
taken place at such a time was keen.
(Continued on Pago Three)
I GOVERNOR TO PROBE
r ATTACK ON FRANK
Says He Will Make a Complete Inquiry Into Af
fairs of Georgia Prison Farm—Frank Better
and His Recovery Probable
Mllledgevllle, Ga., July 20.—Improve
ment in the condition of Leo M. Frank
was announced tonight by physicians at
tending and they continued hopeful for
his recovery from the knife wound In
flicted by J. William Creen, a fellow life
term convict at the Georgia prison farm
here.
The following official bulletin, signed by
Drs. G. D. Compton, Thomas M. Ha" and
Harry Moses, was made public:
V"At ( p. m. Leo M. Frank's pulse was
M temperature. MM; respiration is.
I
Wound is draining freely and temperature
falling. We consider his condition satis
factory."
Members of the state prison commission
will come here Saturday to investigate the
attack on Frank.
Atlanta, July 20.—Governor Harris an
nounced here tonight that he would ac
company the Georgia prison commission
to Mllledgsvllle Saturday to Investigate
the attack on Leo M. Prank.
“It will be a complete Inquiry Into af
fairs at the state prison farm," said the
governor. "I want to know how one pris
oner was able to make an attack on an
other."
Why Not heave Them Where It’s Best For Them
a#d / am 1
I
ZAPATA FORCES.
Carranza Army Evacuates
in Less Than Ten Days
After Capturing
the City
Washington. .Tub 20. —Dispatches io the
state department from Mexico City late
today announced that Zapata forces re
occupied the capital Sunday following
the evacuatalon by the Carranza army
under General Gonzales.
Zapata officials were said to have re
sumed full control of the city, from which
they were driven 10 days ago by Gon
zales. who now lias gone northw’ard with
his troops to meet an advancing Villa
force.
This unexpected development came as a
surprise not only to Washington officials,
but to the Mexican agencies. It had been
supposed the Zapata army, driven out,
was operating along the railrcad to Vera
Cruz, waiting an opportunity to Join a
Villa column approaching from the north.
Wo word has been received of the
whereabouts of General Gonzales since
he quit the capital. News of a battle
near Pachuea, already reached by Villa
men, is expected hourly, and may al
ready have occurred.
Details Kept Secret
Other reports to the state department
said railroad communication between
Vera Cruz and Mexico City was suspended
‘‘on account of the present military op
erations,” but no details of the opera
tions were disclosed. Suspension of rail
road communication is viewed here with
fears for the hungry people in Mexico
City, as this cuts off food supplies. A
private message today pictured the food
situation as desperate.
A state department announcement to
night said that department advices re
ported that the Zapatistas occupied the
city in the afternoon of the 18th and on
the 19th appointed some authorities.
“They are, therefore,” the announce
ment said, “again in full power.” How
ever, It is stated that their actions Indi
cate a desire to maintain order.
President Cliazaro and the conventionlst
government have not yet returned.
At today's cabinet meeting the situa
tion wras briefly discussed. Some move
on the part of the United States in pur
suance to President Wilson’s recent mes
sage to the Mexican factions urging peace
is expected soon.
A state department summary tonight
on the military situation said the de
partment had been advised that com
munication with Torreon was opened on
the 18th and that the first train for
several weeks left Pledras Negras for
Torreon on the 19th. Las Vacas, Coahul
la, has reported recaptured by Villa
forces on the 18th.
The Carranza agency here received a
dispatch tonight from Vera Cruz but it
did not mention the change in Mexico
City.
Rise in Exchange
London, July 20.— (6:83 p. m.)—There
was a remarkable rise today in ex
change on Petrograd. The rate ad
vanced to 1B2V4 rubles for £10. On the
last exchange day, Thursday, the rate
was 137H.
t seek REDUCTION ON t
4 CAN GOODS RATE 4
♦ - ♦
4 Washington, July 20.—Tar- 4
4 lfts of transcontinental carriers 4
4 proposing reduced rate* on 4
4 canned goods from Pacific 4
4 coast terminals to Alabama 4'
4 and Tennessee points without ' 4
4 Including reduced rates to In- 4
4 termedlate points were *u*- 4
4 pended today by the Interstate 4
4 commerce commission until No- 4
4 vember 18. 4
4 The reductions would amount 4 I
4 to about 10 cents a hundred 4
4 pounds. 4 j
• *
I.. * A
I
Munition Factory
Explosion Is Charged
T o German-American
.
United States Will Investigate Charge That Teu
ton Sympathizers Here Were Responsible for
Blowing Up of Government Factory in
Canada—Detroit Men Implicated
Washington, Juiy 20.—Preliminary reports on a federal investigation at
Detroit on a charge that German sympathizers in the United States were re
sponsible for the blowing up of a government munition factory across the Ca
nadian border, were received tonight at the department of Justice.
Officials said the inquiry so far had not
disclosed grounds on which the United
States could proceed criminally against
those alleged to have been Implicated,
since there was no statute t ocover a con
spiracy formed In the United States to
commit such an act in Canada.
The United States district attorney at
Detroit has been directed to continue the
investigation and to give particular at
tention to the question as to whether the
dynamite or other explosives used was
transported on American soil. The law
under which prosecution might lie applies
to transportation of explosives between
the states and from a foreign country to
the United States, but It does not touch
transportation from the United States to
u foreign country.
The Inquiry was ordered after the Brit
ish embassy had informed the state de
partment that it had evidence that money
to carry out the dynamiting plot had been
furnished by a wealthy German resident
of Detroit.
ANOTHER EFFORT TO
SAVE CHAS. BECKER
Prisoner Claims to Have
New Facts and Seeks
Another Trial
New York, July 20.—Another effort to
save the life of Charles Becker, sen
tenced to die Wednesday, July 28, for In
stigating the murder of Herman Rosen
thal, the gambler, was made tonight,
when a 16,000 word statement, prepared
by Becker In the Sing Sing prison
death house, and said to contain new
facts, was placed In the hands of Gov
ernor Whitman at Albany.
With the statement was a request that
the governor grant the condemned man
a respite “in the light of facts now dis
closed for the first time,"
Publication of the statement here to
night followed the announcement during
the day by Martin T. Manton of counse'
for Becker, that within the next few
days an application would be made be
fore a supreme court Justice here for a
new trial for Becker on th^ ground of
newly dlscovesed evidence.
Becker's statement is a chronological
history of what he says was his deal
ings with Rosenthal and others mentioned
In the murder case. This communication
was accompanied by a copy of the ar
gument used by Rourke Cockran of Beck
er's counsel recently before S'
Court Justice Hughes, for a writ of er
ror. The latter document was included
In the documents sent to. the governor
that he might know the grounds on
which Mr. Cockran sought writ of error.
The name of the late Timothy D. Sul
livan, at the time of the Rosenthal af
fair a state senator, la brought Into
Becker's statement at length. Becker
claims that Sullivan had Intervened
with the police In an effort to get
permission for Rosenthal to run his
gambling house, saying that he was
financially Interested In the house and
wanted to help Rosenthal.
Letter, after Rosenthal's place was
raided and Rosenthal began publish
ing charges against Becker, Sullivan,
accenting to the statement, told the
potty* lieutenant that Rosenthal must
be induced to leave town. This wae
not long before the 'assassination of
Rosenthal.
Becker says It was common report
that a sum of money was raised, pre
sumably by Rose, from the gamblers
to get Rosenthal away. Rosenthal re
fused the sum, but consented to go for
a' largei sum.
It was said that It was for this
(Oeattnasd on Peers These)
Labor Leaders Unable to
Accomplish Proposed
Strike
Rrtdgeport. Conn., July 20.—A strike
call issued foe machinists working in
the plants of the Remington Arms and
Ammunition company and four sub
contractors brought out today, accord
ing to the labor estimates, about 175
men. The manufacturers said that ex
actly 28 men walked out.
Labor men admitted tonight that not
a man had left work in the main plant
of the Remington company at noon to
day. They said the failure of the men
to quit was due to a misunderstanding,
but that they would not go to work
tomorrow morning. They added that
the night force of machinists at the
Remington plant had failed to go to
work tonight.
Thoms* J. Savage, member of the
executive board of the International
Association of Machinists, said tonight
that a conference was In progress tn
New York which might lead to a set
tlement of the difficulties. He refused
to give details.
Savage also said that he bad re
ceived Information that labor officials
were determining what factories In this
country were making supplies for the
Remington company, with the view of
calling the maohlnlets In those shops
out on strike. He said a strike call
had been Issued for the old plant of
the Remington company—the Union
Metallic Cartridge company—and that
at least 200 machinists would walk out
there at noon tomorrow. In a few days
the whole plant will be closed down,
he said.
Rumor had It today that MaJ. W. O.
Ptnfleld, works manager of the Rem
ington company, had offered the men
en eight-hour day, with a dollar a day
added to their wages. If they would
remain at work. The men were aaid
to have accepted the offer. This the la
bor leaders deny.
A mass meeting held In the Hungarian
quarter of Bridgeport tonight was said
to be preliminary to a big strike meeting
tomorrow. Several speakers spoke of or
ganizing the Hungarians Into a union
under the American Federation of Labor.
Elks’ Day at Exposition
Ban Francisco, July 20.—White and
purple decorated the Panama-Paclfiu
exposition today In honor of Elks' day.
Visitors who last week attended lliu,
grand lodge convention at Los Angeles
participated In the oelebratioo.
WILSON AND CABINET
AGREE ON GENERAL
PRINCIPLES OF NOTE
TO BESENTGERMANY
In Character and Purposes
of Latest Effort to Secure
Safety for Americans
Agreement Is Reached
MEMBERS CABINET
SILENT REGARDING
PROBABLE CONTENTS
Make It Clear, However,
That Note Will Not Be in
Nature of Ultimatum to
the Kaiser
Washington, July 2©-— President
Wilson and his cabinet decided to
day on the general principles of
the note to he sent to Germany
renewing effort* to secure far
American cttlscns protection on the
high scan.
The President rend to the cab
inet assembled for the first time In
a month a tentative draft of the
note. On Its character nnd pur
poses there was unanimous agree
ment and Secretary Lansing was at
work tonight putting In more pre
cise language the Ideas set forth.
Members of the cabinet generally pre
served secrecy regarding the probable
contents of the communication and such
information as was obtainable chiefly
was of a negative character. Cabinet offi
cers made It clear that U would not he an
ultimatum or make threats as to the fu
ture purposes of the United States. At
the same time they pointed out that It
probably would have an air of finality,
curtailing the field of discussion and ne
gotiation, and placing squarely on Ger
many the responsibility for any actions
that might subsequently endanger friendly
relations of the two countries.
Friendly Serins
The communioatirn will be couched In
friendly terms. .
Today s conference van devoted some
what to a discussion of what the Amer
ican people want said and done. Ro far
as cabinet officers could judge by their
examination of public expressions, the na
tion has voiced an Insistent desire that
the honor and dignity of t"he United States
be upheld 1 nthe correspondence with Ger
many, but that a course he followed which
will maintain peace.
On Germany’s next reply and the crys
tallisation of public opinion thereafter will
depend to a large extent, officials inti
mated. the action of the United States
concerning future violations of American
rights.
Secretary Lansing said today that no
complete report of the encounter betwees
the British liner Orduna and a German
submarine had reached the state depart
ment. An investigation has been Insti*
tuted through the treasury department
and a report is expected within a few
days, but the dispatch of the note to Ger
many will not be delayed, It was stated
officially.
Statement |<'roni Thompson
A statement from William O. Thompson,
counsel of the Industrial relations com
mission, who was on board tlie Orduna,
was referred to by Secretary loosing as
giving only a part of the information nec
essary to form a Judgment of the legality
or Illegality of the attack. Mr. Thomp
son wag aroused only after several shcfls
had been fired and after a torpedo was
alleged to have been seen. No testimony
is available to show whether the attack
was made without warning.
Count Von Bernstorff, the German am
bassador, was at the state department to
day on what he referred to as routine
business. He had no information on the
Orduna case and did not see Secretary
Lansing.
TODAY’S AGE-HERALD
1— Little less than miracle can save
capital of Poland.
Agree on principles of note to Ger
many.
Henderson will not agree to com
promise.
Zapata forces reoccupy Mexico
City.
2- —Farmers soon to supply own money
?—Carmichael would consider impor
tant hills In Joint session.
4—Editorial comment
6—Sloes company secures big coal
order.
Comer says cotton receipts should
be uniform.
Weakley charges Birmingham is
short sighted.
Commission not bluffing on cuts,
says ward.
6— Society.
7— Sports.
9—Markets.
10—Exciting matches at tennis tour
nament.
ANY COMPROMISE ON
APPOINTIVE POWER
FIGHT IS IMPOSSIBLE,
SAYS THE GOVERNOR
Henderson, in Interview,
Makes Plain His Attitude
on Differences Between
Himself and Legislature
WILL NOT CONSENT
TO INFRINGEMENTS
UPON HIS OFFICE
“I Wish to Emphasize That
I Never Compromise
When a Principle Is In
volved,” He Declares
Oy I*. 9. BBTTY
Montgomery, July 20.—(Spe
cial.)—“The governor of a state
should realize and stand for the
dignity of the office, and while I
occupy this great position I will
not consent for anyone to infringe
upon this dignity, whether it be
the legislature or the humblest
citizen of the state, and no com
promise can be made along this
line.”
This statement was made by Gover
nor Henderson tonight in explaining
his reported attitude as to a compro
mise for the adjustment of the dif
ferences between the legislature and
the executive office in reference to ap
pointments.
“I wish to emphasize that 1 never
make compromises where principle is
Involved," said the governor.
"No executive could complain at a
reservation on the part of the senate to
confirm the appointments, hut when the
legislature undertakes to deprive one ex
ecutive of the power of appointing offi
cers to positions which past administra
tiona have exercised and subsequent ad
ministrations will be permitted under the
proposed plan to proceed as former ones
and make appointments without a ques
tion of the senate, then it Is a reflection
upon the office of the governor of the
state and belittles his greist Hiafclon,"
said the. governor.
Executive Should Be Free
Governor* Henderson announced in hts
statement that the executive should Im
free to assist in the shaping of construc
tive legislation, instead of being taxed to
maintain the prestige of his position, but
that "it Is difficult, on account of the
insidious work of a few, for those who
have come with an unselfish purpose to
perform the services of which the stato
is in so much need."
Continuing his statement, the governor
said
"There Is entirely too much politics
in legislation. Politics should only pre
vail during campaigns. After they have
passed everyone charged with responsi
bilities should put his shoulder to tho
wheel and undertake unselfishly to work
for the interests of the state and when
| they do this th* people will ratify ttlfir
[action. Our efforts should be to iniijke
I crooked things straight and get the law*
i h« they should be rather than to design
I to get the advantage of one faction or
| another.
"In the different reports current around
the c&pitot during such times as these
there are bound to be many that are in
correct and we should never take them
seriously until we have some foundation
of fact to sustain them. So far as this
office is concerned, you can place any
rumor that contains a threat, either di
rect or implied, as a misstatement with
out the least foundation of fact to sus
tain it. There should he only one senti
ment going out from thiB office, and that
is an earnest endeavor to obtain the prop
i er laws, for the enforcement of all laws
and to work for the happiness and pros
perity of the people.
Make Best of Wrong
"l do not believe that one wrung Jus
tifies another, but if a wrong is com
mitted we should make the best of It
and in the future work to lesson the evils
that might ensue from any wrong action
that might have taken place.
"We are all carrying responsibilities and
it appears to me that If we will do our
work well, stay on the job until we have
finished and then have finaJ adjourn
ment of the legislature that it will aid
materially in relieving the condition
brought upon us largely from causes
with which we have had little to do In
bringing about.
"In 1901 our constitution provided for
quadrennial sessions of the legislature
because they were tired of biennlel ses
sions. They were too frequent in the
opinion of the people. Since that time
two proposed amendments looking to the
restoration of the biennial sessions have
been submitted to the people and both
times they have been overwhelmingly de
< Continued on Page Three)
THE WAR SITUATION
Rome, July 20.—(Via London, 10:37 p. m.)—A war office statement today
said:
"On the laonzo front our vigorous offensive resulted in progress yesterday,
especially on the plateau of Carso, where we took 500 prisoners. Our troops
dug In rapidly on the conquered positions and resisted counter attacks.
“The action continued throughout the night."
London, July 20.—(9:42 p. m.)—Field Marshal Sir John French today made
the following report to the war office:
“Yeeterday evening after successfully exploding a mine west of the chateau
of Hooge, eaat of Ypres, our troops occupied about 150 yards of the enemy's
trenches* This gain since has been consolidated.
“We captured 15 prisoners, including two officers, and also two machine
gune. Two other German machine gune were destroyed by the explosion.
“Elsewhere on the front there la nothing to report.”
Parle, July 20-—(Via London, 11:50 p. m.)—An official statement Issued by
tha war office tonight said:
“In Artois there have been artillery actions but no Infantry engagements.
Rheima was bombarded violently, several civilians being killed.
"Between the Meuse and the Moselle, at Lee Eparges, In the region of Fey
En-Haye and La Pretre forest there has been a fairly lively cannonade.
"On Monday night one of our dirigibles dropped 23 bombs on the military
railroad station and ammunition depot at Vlgneulles-Les Hattonchatel, re*
turning unharmed to our lines.”