FRENCH RELATIONS
WITH AUSTRIA END
ORDERS HER AMBASSADOR TO
__ RETlfltN AND AUSTRIAN
LEAVEB PARIS.
FRENCH POSSESS ALSACE
i> *
*
Censorship Prevents Publication of
CmuKlm of tflk Tri-Color—Statue
of Affairs Pleaelng to Belgium
Paris.—via Lopdon.—lt was official
ly announced that Prance had broken
off diplomatic relations with
Hungary. The French Ambassador at
Vienna has left the Austrian Capital
and the Austro Hungarian AmbatU'
dor at Paris has asked for his pass
ports.
- In announcing the breaking off of
relations with Austria the French
Foreign Office made the following
statement:
"Contrary to assurance given by
Austria to the French Minister of
Foreign Affairs that no Austrian
troops were taking part In the Franco-
German War, the Prench Government
has ascertained beyond any possible
doubt that certain Austrian troops are
present in Germany, outside the Aua
trian frontier. These troops which
have set free certain German troops
destined to be employed in fighting the
French, ought indubitably de facto and
de Jure, to be considered as acting
against France. In these circum
stances the French Ambassador was
oidered to leave Vienna.
"The Austrian Ambassador at Paris,
on being informed of France's decis
ion asked for his passports."
NO STARTLING BATTLES YET.
War of. Seven Nations Are Devoid of
Big Bsttle.
London —No great battle has yet
been fought on land or sea in the war
of seven Nations, unless the German
assaults upon the fortresses at Liege
eventually assume the proportions of
a battle in hlßtory. Ik>th combatants
claim victory, there, with the Belgians
still holding the forts and the Ger
mans occupying the city
Tho situation la unique. Thero Is
no confirmation of The Daily Mall's
report that the French have engaged
the Germans and cut off their re
treat, inflicting a loss of 8,000 men.
The Belgians claim that they have
taken 8,000 prisoners on Belgian soil,
but military men regard all the esti
mates of the belligerents as great ex
aggerat lon's.
Apart from Liege the fighting of
the first week, when resolved to the
proper perspective eventually doubt
less will be considered Insignificant.
One of the most Important develop
ments In the eyes of experts Is the
general testimony that the German in
fantry formation is obsolete and in
effective against the weapons of to
day and mentis aq enormous slaughter
If retained ■>
France and Austria finally are of
ficially at war, tho Ammbussadors hav
ing left the respective Capitals. The
French Government broke off dlplo
matlc relations with Austria on the
grounds that Austrian troops were re
inforcing the Germans.
Austria appears to have abandoned
the advance on Servla for a time and
apparently Is co-operating with Ger
many In the supposed strategy of at
tempting to crush Franco before Rus
sia can mobilize.
Financial conditions in England are
returning to normal. Although there
Is a great disorder In many trades the
prices of foodstuff* have risen only
slightly.
* France li Happy.
Paris —The invasion of lower Alsace
by a French army under Gen. Joseph
Joffre, the French commander in-chie(,
has (twikened great enthusiasm
throughout France.
French military authorities, while
recognizing the occupation of Alt
klrch anil Muelhausen by French
troops is not of strategical Importance,
, assert that the successful advance of
the French army far across the Get
man frontier will have considerable
moral effect.
Caring For Tourlete.
liondon —The London resident com
/
mlttee paid out SIO,OOO to tourists on
cable orders from their home banks.
In needy cases hotel bills were paid.
The various conmiltees formed to help
Americans, having found they were
being victimized, established a com
mon investigation headquarters -to
eliminate Iniposters. A society of col
lege women has been formed by Mrs.
Walter H. Page, Mrs. David Starr Jor
•dan and others to guard the interests
of stranded American school teachers.
Take Risks For Grain.
Montreal. —A cablegram was receiv
ed from the Belgian minister of for
eign affairs requesting the Belgian
consul here to inform Canadian grain
exporters that the Belgian govern
ment wil cSver risks of war on any
grain shipped to Belgian ports.
t Prince Among Killed.
- SBfcondon.—A Brussels dispatch to
Exchange Telegraph Company
•ays among the Germans killed In the
assault on Liege were Prince William
of Llooe and his son.
SERVIAN INFANTRY MARCHING TO THE FRONTIER
t^HQnnn^K^i
AMERICAN VESSELS
WILL BE ADMITTED
m ''n
RELIEP PELT OVER FACT THAT
BHIPB MAY ENTER FOREIGN
PORTS.
— —— -♦—
WAR NEWS IS ONLY PAfTIAL
German Blde Not Received on Ao-
I
count of Cablea Being Cut Look
Toward Mediation.
Washington.—Observation of strict
neutrality by the United States In the
European war, especially as to the
movements of foreign ships In Ameri
can waters, gave the Washington gov
ernment concern.
The department of commerce issued
special Instructions which may have
an Important effect on the movement
of reservists from the United States.
What amounts to military expedition
from American soil will be prohibited
in accordance with President Wilson's
neutrality proclamation. State, treas
ury and commerce department offi
cials were absorbed In deciding the
numerous technicalities which have
arisen in conection with foreign-own
ed ships such as the Olympic and
Vaterland, so that It may be estab
lished definitely whether they are be
ing "converted for war purposes."
Relief measures for Americans In
EJurope are working smoothly. The
stale department cabled SIOO,OOO tK,
Paris and $26,000 to Rome for imme
diate use of the American embassies
pending the arrival of the Tennessee's
gold consignment.
Assurances that the Tennessee
and North Carolina ai well as vessels
to bring Americans out of Europe
would be admitted to ports of the
countries at war, brought relief to the
officials. The two warships are
bound, It Is understood, for Falmouth,
England. One of the vessels then
will go to Northern Continental ports
and the other to Mediterranean
shorea.
Diplomatic dispatches contained lit
tle Information about fighting in Eu
rope beyond what had been publish
ed. The French and Russian gov
ernments acknowledged receipt of
"the tender of good offices" looking
toward mediation, but gave no hint as
to their attitude. It Is not known
whether President Wilson's message
to Lmperor William reached him.
25,000 GERMANS KILLED.
Official Statement.—First Story From
Berlin.
London. —The Beige of Liege is the
outstanding feature of the European
war. Latest advices, received byway
of London In official dispatches, say
Liege still holds out against the at
tacks of the German Army of the
Meuse.
On tht* authority of the Belgian
War Ministry the German casulties
in the battle around Liege number
»26,000, according to their own ad
mission. An official statement Issued
from Berlin described the attempt
on the Liege fortress as unsuccessful
and the assault of the Germans as
"a unique act of heroism" and added
that it will not have the slighest
influence on the larger operations,
of the German Army.
German diplomats have been using
their utmost efforts to win Italy to
the German side, by negotiations aud
a direct appeal to King Victor Em
manuel, but without success. The
Dalian Ambassador at London, thank
ing a great assembly, Including sever
al peers and members of Parliament,
which gathered in front of the Em
bassy, *ald Italy had declared her
neutrality and would adhere to it.
Plenty of Currency.
Washington. Comptroller of the
Currency Williams in a statement de
clared the financial situation of the
country ia good and announced that
national hanks are in good order. 1
"I see no reason." said Mr. Wii
-llaroi, "why there should be any sun
persion of currency payments any
where in this country and if this de*
PAi-tment hears of any National bank
-efuslng to honor legitimate demands
of its customers to correspondents
tor currency Buch delinquent bank
will be promptly Investigated."
: . v • ;/ #/ t; " * * Tf-- r > / \^KS.^
THE ENTERPRISE, WILLIAMSTON, NORTH CAROLINA.
ENGLAND CALLS
HALF-MILLION MEN
• - -
REALIZING FIGHT 18 TO DEATH
BRITAIN ISSUES CALL TO
J' . SERVICE.
KITCHENER WAR MINISTER
1600,000,000 Approprlstsd By Parlia
ment.—British Fleet Hss Engaged
Germane.—Sank British CrulMr.
1/On don.—The passage of a war bud
get for $500,000,000k in the House of
Commons without a dissenting voice
and the granting of an Array Increase
of 600,000 men in accordance with
plans of Lord Kitchener, the new War
Minister, shows that Great Britain is
in deadly earnest
Call to arms Issued by the War
Office says an addition of 100,000 men
to the regular Army is needed Imme
diately and that Ixird Kitchener Is
confident thlß appeal will at once he
responded to "by all who have the
safety of our Empire at heart."
The term of service for the new
men Is to be three years, or until the
war Is ended. The age of enlistment
will l>e between 19 and 30.
The naval estimates provided for
67,000 additional officers snd men,
which will mske the navy's strength
218,000 men.
► There are no (Hustons In EnftUnd
that the war Is certain to be a swift
and decisive one. - The people are
steeled for a long and exhuastlve
struggle.
The Admlrslty notified the public
that the first news from the Navy
might not be good news. Swift upon
the heels of this intimation came the
tidings that the cruiser Amphion had
been sunk by a mine with the loss
of on officer and 130 men—Great Brit
ain's first sacrifice to the war
considered that British shlpi
in the "North- Sea are running greater
risks during the first days of the war
than the Germans. The Royal family
shares with the homes of Its many
subjects the suspense of waiting for
newß of the fate of the different unlta
of the fleet. Prince Albert, the second
son of the King, aboard the battleship
Collinjwood, Is one of the many boy
midshipmen afloat sharing thf perils
of their elders.
There was a dramatic Incident In
the rfouse of Commons when the fued
hetwegn-Lord Charles Beresford and
jyifrfifnn S. Churchill, First lx>rd of
the Admiralty, was burled. Admiral
Beresford shook hands with the First
Lord and said:
"Well done."
The torpedo-boat destroyer l.ance,
which sent the Hamburg-American
Line steamer Koenlgln Luise to the
bottom with four shots, only come out
of the shipyards only a few days before
hardly dry.
Prench Capture German Bteamer.
Paris.—A French mine ship cap
tured and towed into Cherbourg a
8,000-ton German steamer.
China Is Neutral.
Peking, China.—China proclaimed
her neutrality in conection with the
European conflict. The work of for
tifying the German possession of
Tsing Tau continued and the authori
ties there added to their accumula
tion of provisions. Foreign enterprise
in China being paralyzed, many Chin
ese have heen affected already and are
withdrawing their money from the
banks controlled by financiers repre
senting Russia, J France, England,
Germany and Japan whfch hitherto
had commanded every confidence.
Activity In Steel Trade.
New York.—There were a few in
dications of reviving activity In finance
and industry, but in most directions a
condition of suspended animation pre
vailed.
From the steel trade came reports of
higher yrices and more active inquiry.
The w&r created a wall more effective
than any tariff in keeping out foreign
steel.
Distribution of emergency currency
to New York banks continued but the
banks made no urgent demands and
the money went out slowly. -
OFFER MEDIAHOH
( WARRING NATIONS
UNITED STATES WILL ÜBE ALL
MEANS POBBIBLE TO HASTEN
WORLD PEACE.
IS ONLY NEUtRAL POWER
Secretary Bryan Inform* Ambaiu
dors of Attitude of the Govern
ment of This Country.
Washington.—President Wilson for-'
mally offered the services of the Uni
ted States government to the warring
nations of Europe should they desire
to discuss terms of peace. He tender
ed what technically Is phrased as
"good offices" which, if accepted in
principle, would be followed by a
conference of representatives of the
powers of Europe, In which the Uni
ted States would play the role of me
diator.
Under the Hague convention to
which all European nations except
S,ervla are signatories, a neutral na
tion is urged in time of international
conflict to tender her good office to
contending powers. Acting under the
terms of the Hague convention the
president cabled Emperor William of
Germany, Kmapror Nicholas Rus
ala, Emperor rrajncls Joaeph of Aus
tria. King OeorAsof Great Britain and
President Polatere of France as fol
lows: /
"As offlpfal head of one of the pow
ers signatory to the Hague conven
tion, I feel It to be my privilege and
my duty under Article 3 of that con
vention to say to you In a spirit of
most earnest friendship that I should
welc6me an opportunity to act in the
interest of European peace either now
, or at any other time that might be
thought more suitable, as occasion to
serve you and all concerned In a way
that would afford me lasting cause for
gratitude and happiness.
(Signed) "Woodrow Wilson."
The proffer of" good offices was for
warded by Secretary Bryan to the
American embassies in the nations in
volved and through them transmitted
t6 the government.
It was said at the White House no
intimation* had been reoeived that
such an offer would be favorably re
ceived. Present Wilson took the
position that the European war was
so stupendous and that Its effect on
the entire world was liable to be so
lasting that the United States as one
of. the few large neutral powers, could
not do* otherwise than at least offer
to be the means for bringing about
peace.
Secretary Bryan summoned all
i European diplomats In the city and
gave them a copy of the telegram
1 in the hope that they would transmit
it to their governments and urge ac
ceptance of the tender. The Austrian
ambassador, representatives of the
British. Russian, German and French
, embassies and Belgian legation call
ed at the department.
Villa Llne^Up.
El Paso, Texas.—Americans who ar
i 'rived from Chihuahua City asserted
General Villa has reached a satisfac
' tory agreement with the peace envoys
from President Carabajal. This news
• tended to confirm the report that Villa
i would treat with President Carbajal,
■ regardless of General Carrania's atti
> tude. A decree issued recently by
i Villa's military governor stated that
- unless all Industries now closed in the
. state or reopened within one month,
> double taxes will be charged against
the companies.
Belgians KIM 70 Out of 80.
| Brussels.—Le Peuple asserts that In
b the fighting between German and Bel
. gtans near Vise a platoon of Prussian
cavalry waa almost annihilated by the
f fire of the Belgians from t building on
. the bank of the river. ,The Prussians
) In revenge, the newspaper says, fired
i on civilians. At Flemalle, near Argen
teen, a Belgian force surprised a body
p of Prussians and killed 70 out of 10
i officers and 80 men. The Belgian
1 losses were 'wo officer* killed and 10
men wounded.
Jtv, , t '
FRENCH ARMY HAS
INVADED ALSACE
AVENGE OIiGRACE OF HALF CEN
/ '
TOftY AGO.—FRENCH ARE
WELCOME.
MARTIAL LAW ESTABLISHED
Frensh Losses "Not Excessivs" But
(termin Lou Said to Bs "Very
Serious."
Puis. —The Invasion of lower Alsace
by a French army under General Jo
seph Jeffre, the' French commander-in
chief, has awakened great enthusiasm
throughout France.
French military authorities, while
reconizlng (he occupation of Altkirch
and Muelhausen by French troops is
not of high strategical Importance,
believe the successful advance of the
French army far across the" Qerman
frontier will have considerable moral
effect. It Hi reported unofficially that
Kolber, farther t6 the north, has
fallen Into the hands of the French.,
None of those three places was strong
ly fortified and all lie outaide the line
of real German defense, being guard
ed aa outposts of the strong fortified
cltlea. Their German garrisons nu
merically were fairly itrong but It was
understood that In case of attack they
merely would endeavor to hinder the
French advance before falling back.
Neu Briesack, where they are said
to have retired is east of Kolmar and
Is strongly fortlfled, while Strassburg,
some distance to the north, the cen
ter of a great aggregation of German
troops, is strongly fortlfled and sup
posed to be prepared for a long siege.
Official reports of fighting between
the Frenjh and German troops state
that the French losses were "not ex
cessive," whUe those of the Germans
Are declared by the French to have
been "very serious." The Alsatian In
habitants are said to have been bo
overjoyed at the appearance of the
French Army that they tore up the
frontier posts.
Reports of the arrival of an Aus
trian Army corps on the Swiss fron
tier near Basel were the object of
close attention by French military au
thorities. It was said that several
more Austrian Army corps were be
ing organised In the Tyrol whence
they later would be sent toward the
French frontier. In view of this the
French Government asked the Austro-
Hungartan Ambassador to France)
who remains at his post, to explain the
intentions of Austria-Hungary in re
gard to France.
Before retiring • from Mulshausen
German troops are said to havtf set
firo to numerous buildings, especially
warehouses where food and forage
were stored. The forest of Hard, near
Kolmar, is sakl to have been razed.
Martial law has been - established
In Alsace, where it Is said the Ger
mans announced that any person sus
pected of sympathizing with the
French would be executed.
WIRE SERVICE TO BERLIN.
"5
Washington Inquiries About Amsrl
cans Taken As Spiss.
Washington.—Secretary Bryan an
nounced that the American govern
ment was in communication with all
Its European embassies and legations
end that every effort was being made
to care for Americans on the conti
nent. Communications with Ambas
sador Gerard at Berlin was establish
ed through Copenhagen. Mr. Bryan
Immediately telegraphed inquiring
about Archer M. Huntington, presi
dent of the American Geographical
Bociety, and other Americans report
ed arrested as spies.
Official dispatches revealed that
many Americans had been arrested
or temporarily detained in Germany
and that the first outbreak of hos
tilities and during mobilization per
sona who talked English were under
espionage.
The state department announced
that an additional 150,000 had been
cabled to Minister Stovall of Switi
erland and that it was estimated 8,000
Americans were in that country.
Confiscate Money.
Berlin.—Three motor cars carrying
large sums of money were captured
by German people and troops as they
were trying to cross the Russian fron
tier.
The empress and princess of the
Imperial family personally are par*
ticipating in supplying food for Ger
man reservists passing through Ber
lin. They were enthusiastically
cheered by the troops.
Among those who have entered the
German barracks at Doeberitz are a
superior Rusian official.
Will Congress War MeeL
Washington.—Although administra
tion leaders in Congress believe that
regular session can be completed soon
after September 1, some of them fear
possible emergencls that may arise
through the war in Europe will tnaka
It imperative that congress remain 1p
Washington. Talk about the capitol in
dicates however, that if developments
of the next few weeks indicate 1 no
trouble in prospect for the United
Stotes the signal may be given to
wind up the legislative program and
•41ourn tor the tell campaign.
-
31 PER GENT FIRES'
, IRE PREVENTABLE
DEFECTIVE FLUE*, SHINGLE
ROOFS AND TRASH PILES ARE
THE CAUSES.
REPORT OF STATISTICIAN
* §'
Campaign Inaugurated by Commis
sioner Young to Educate People
jn Fire Pravantlon.
Raleigh.—Thirteen per cent of the
Urea in North Carolina during the
paat year resulted from preventable
causes purely and eighteen per cent
grew out of conditions which were
largely of a preventable nature, This
la the general ctAdjyiTon from the
figures presented by the report of the
statistician of the North Carolina
Firemen s Association Just published.
makes a possible total of 31 per
cent of Area which" might have been
prevented if proper precaution had
been taken.
The figures were presented in way
of emphasis on the campaign whtch
has been inaugurated by Insurance
Commissioner i. R. Young for the
education the state aa to the proper
methoda of fire prevention. To this
Mr. Sherwood Brockwell former chief
of the fire department of Raleigh and
one of the best known and most suc
cesaful fire fighters in the state aa
well as an authority on the subject of
fire prevention ha* been retained ,as
chief of the Bureau of Fire Preven
tion. The duty of Mr. Brockwell wrlll
be to reduce the fire hazards in the
state, as well aa to train the fexlpting
companies along the lines of greatest
efficiency.
The statiaticians report shows that
788 fires were reported for the year.
Eighty-four of this number occurred
from defective flue* and twelve from
defective wiring, making a total of
ninety-six or thirteen per cent from
stHctly preventable causes. One hun
dred and thirty-five fires were cauaed
from sparks from chlmueys or from
locomotives. If shingle roofs and
traili piles could have beeiuJiminated
few of these fires would hive oc
curred.
The total value of property risk
reported waa 98,712,942 Thi total
damage by fire was $688*48, leaving
the value of property sa>ed from de
struction 18,124,291.
There are 936 firemen In
the atate, and 136 paid firemen. Three
cttlea reported fully paid firemen. The
fire equipment Inc'.udea thirteen auto
trucks. *
NEW HOMES FOR BANKS.
Four Structurea Being Erected for
Financial Inatitution of Bull City.
Durham. —The contract for the
erection of the Merchants Bank build
ing was let to contractor Norman Un
derwood and work will ftart at once.
A part of the foundation for this
building haa been laid for aometime
past, but the work was held up until
some minor changes could be made
in the plans of the building in order
that another eight feet of space would
be uaed behind the site that waa first
bought
This make* the fourth of the Dur
ham banks who have homea now In
the progress of construction. The
concrete foundations for the big Geer
building which will house the Fidel
ity bank are being laid. The excava
tion ia being made tbe new home
of the First National bank, which
will be an eight-story building, the
bank, and the upper stories to office
rooms. The Citizens National Bank
is having the marble placed on tbe
ground for the construction of their
new home on the corner of Main and
Mangum streets.
All of these buildings will be of the
latest designs in architecture' for
banking concerns. They will be fire
proof structures.
Raleigh Sella Bonds.
Raleigh—The Raleigh city commis
sion sold to the Security Trust Com
pany of Spartanburg, 8. C., 175.000
bonds for additional water plant ex
tension the bid having been 419 above
P*r.
Tar Heels in Washington.
Washington.—A. M. Dunry, F. 3.
Worthy, If. J. Berry, B. O. Moes,
Johnson Havena, George Hackney of
Washington; J. B. Blades, Jamea A.
Bryan, A. W. Ward, of Newbern; M.
O. Blount, of Bethel; C. S. Carr ,ot
Greenville; T. C. Turnage, of Farm
vllle; Hugh Murray, of Wilson; Frank
Page, of Aberdeen, and W. B. Drake, .
of Raleigh, were here to confer with
Secretary McAdoo about getting funds
to mbve the crop. Senator Simmons
and Representatives Small and Pace
presented them.
Dr. Mcßrayer at Hor.:e.
Shelby.—Dr. Charles Evans Mc-
Brayer, U. S. A. surgeon, with rank
aa captain, returned from Haines,
Alaska, where he has been stationed
foi a number of years- at Fort William
IT. Seward. Doctor Mct>:a*er has a
1-iave of absence for fou r months, one
t'Oilh of which tl Tie !i" will spenc
with his father. Dr. T. E. Mcßrayer
here and the reet of the time taking
poet graduate work in New York City.
He talks interestingly of the new
oountry.