North Carolina Newspapers

Li.GLAND, BELGIUM, FREE III ION OFFICIAL REPORTS THAT IMPOR TANT CONJUNCTION It EF FECTED. KAISER SENDS A NEW NOTE German Are Aetiv In Luxemburg and Liege Mtvtd to Rtmaln Stcur. French In Belgium. BruMds. Belgian official reporta, foceived by tbe War Office, record the Important fact that a junction ha been effected bjr Belgian. British and French troop across the line of the German advance through Belgium. The location of the three armlet was not revealed but It 1 understood they will act together. At Liege, where the Belgian gar rlson has presented a stubborn front to the German attackers, fighting has ceased and the Belgian troops and citl tens have strengthened the city's de fense. Between the forts line of earthworks have been thrown up by men who havt worked wlthou cea station nlgbt and day. Reports reached hero by way of London that according totannounoe- menu In Berlin, Liege had fallen Into the hands of German troops. The sighting of a German cavalry patrol to the south of Namur Is evl dence of the activity of the German forces In Luxemburg, showing they were reconnoltering to discover the position of the defending armies. The retirement of German troops out of range of the guns of the torts of Liege was supposed to Indicate they were concentrating and waiting for rein- forcemen's to renew the attack. In tbe meantime French troops who have croesed the frontiers of Belgium continue to advance meth odically and their approach strength' ens the position of the Belgian Army. when French officer arrived at Na mur In an automobile cltliena holBted him on their shoulders and carried him through the streets. It was reported that the grater part of Luxemburg which h been occupied by Germans, had, bove. clear ed of Invaders by the French Army. In the Belgian Capital, patriotic sentiment Is Increasing and men of aU classes are volinteerlng. A number of troop trains filled with French soldiers passed around Brus sels during the, night on the way to the front. Two Belgian officers charged with important missions passed through the advanced lines of the Germans uninjured, although thj?y drew the German fire. , . The Belgian aviator, Alfred Lauser, vat arrested on suspicion of being a py. . CZAR PRAI8ES 8LAVS. Bays War la Holy One and Prays For Victory. St. Petersburg via London) The Russian ' emperor with Grand Duke Nicholas received members of the council of the empire and the Duma In audience at tbe Winter palace. Addressing them, the emperor said: "In these days of alarm and anxiety through' which Russia Is passing I greet you. Germany following Aus tria, has declared war on Russia, v "The enormous enthusiasm, the pa triotic sentiments and the love" and loyalty to the throne an enthusiasm which has swept like a hurricane through the country guarantee for - me, as for you, I hope, that Russia, will bring to a happy conclusion the war.which tbe Almighty has sent it . "It also ie because of this unanimous enthusla&m, love and eagerness to snake eery sacrifice, even of life it self, that I am able to regard the fu- : ture with calm firmness. It Is not only the dignity and honor of our . country that we are defending, but we are fighting for brother Slavs, co-religionists, blood brothers. "I am persuaded that all and each of you will he In your place to assist me to support the test, and that all, beginning with myself, will do their duty. Great Is the God of the Rus sian fatherland." , ' French In Tonoland. London. French troops from Da homey have entered Northern Togo land, the German colony on the west - coast of Africa, the Southern portion of which Great Britain seised. Mobilising Austrian. . London. A dispatch to The Times from Berne, Switzerland, says forty thousand Austrian traps have con centrated near Basel and that German and French troops also are near the Swiss frontier. On Important battle may occur at any moment Austrian Pasting. . Vnma via Tjinilnn Wirto-Atfl-lit trains loaded with Austrian troops from the Tyrol arrived at Leopold Shoehe in Baden, .northwest of Basel, o 11 I J ' -YM. a. . way to Alsace to assist the German. " Cruiser Still Going. ' Borne, via London. The German . cruisers Ggeben and Bexsiau, : which recently were forced to leave Messina, - Sicily are reported to have succeeded In - passing through tbe '' straits ' of Otranto In the Adriatic sea. j 4, E WILL BE ADMITTED RELIEF FELT OVER FACT THAT SHIPS MAY ENTER FOREIGN 'PORTS. ' WAR NEWS IS ONLY PARTIAL German Side Not Received on Ac count of Cables 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 Wilton's neutrality proclamation. State, treas ury and commerce department offi cials were absorbed in deciding the numerous technicalities which have arisen in conectlon with foreign-owned 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 Europe are working smoothly. The stale department cabled 100,000 to Paris and $25,000 to Rome for imme diate use of the American embassies pending the arrival of tbe Tennessee' gold consignment Assurance that the Tennessee and North Carolina a well as vesselB to bring Americans out of Europe would be admitted to ports of the countries at war, brought relief to tbe 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 shores. 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 .fender of good offices" looking toward mediation, but gave no hint as to their attitude. It Is not known whether President Wilson's message to Emperor William reached him. 25,000 GERMAN8 KILLED. Official StatementFirst Story From Berlin. London. The telge of Liege is the outstanding feature of the European war. Latest advices, received by way of London in official dispatches, say Liege still holds out against the at tacks of the German Army of the Mouse, v . On the authority of the Belgian War Ministry the German casulties In the battle around Liege number 25,000, according to their own ad mission. An official statement Issued from Berlin described the attempt on the Liege fortress at unsuccessful and the ussault of the Germans as a unique act of heroism" and added that It will not . have the sllghest 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 and a direct appeal to King Victor Em manuel, but without success. The Italian Ambassador at London, thank ing a great assembly. Including sever al peers and members of Parliament, which gathered in front of the Em basby, said Italy had declared her neutrality and would adhere to It. Winston Spencer Churchill, First Lord of the Admiralty, denied there had been an engagement between German and British fleets In the North Sea. German Ship Captured. London. The capture of German merchant craft continues at a rate that leads Englishmen to predict tbe war will speedily result in driving German commerce off the sea. Plenty of Currency. Washington. Comptroller of the Currency Williams in a statement de clared the financial situation of the country Is good and announced that national banks are In good order. "I see no reason," said Mr. Wil liams, "why there should be any sus pension of currency payments any where in this country and If this de partment hears of any National bank refusing to honor legitimate demands of its customers to correspondents for currency such delinquent bank will be promptly investigated." ', Want Exchange Opened. New York.1 Reporta from Wall street that the New York Stock Ex change soon would be re-opened brought prompt denial. The commit tee appointed to maintain active su perision oer stock exchange ' made this statement: 'The special committee of five will not recommend to the goernlng com mittee the reopening of the exchange until In their judgment the financial situation, warrants It and as before stated, ample notice will be given of the) proposed reopening." .." X ,( KINGS MOUNTAIN HERALD, FRONTIERS OF DISPUTING NATIONS. ' ...... ,- - .. WMvnan C- ( ? m -A: r H M 7 if OFFER MEDIATION UNITED STATES WILL USE ALL MEANS POSSIBLE TO HASTEN WORLD PEACE. IS ONLY NEUTRAL POWER Secretary Bryan Informs Ambaettr dor 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 tbe Uni ted States wonld play the role of me diator. Under the Hague convention to which all European nations except Servla are signatories, a neutral na tion la urged In time of International conflict to tender her good office to contending powers. Acting under tbe terms of tbe Hague convention the president cabled Emperor William of Germany. Emperor Nicholas of Rus sia, Emperor Francis Joseph of Aus tria, King George of Great Britain and President Polncare of France as fol lows:. "As official 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 welcome 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 alV concerned In a way that would afford me lasting cause for gratitude and happiness. :. ' (Signed) f'Woodrow Wilson." ' The proffer of rood offices was for warded by Secretary Bryan to the American embassies In the nations In volved and through them transmitted to the government It was said at the White House no Intimations had been received that such an offer would be favorably re ceived. President Wilson took the position that the European war was to stupendous and that its effect on the entire world was liable to be to lasting that the United States at 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 European diplomats In the city and gave them a copy of the telegram 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 Lined Up. E3 Paso, Texas. Americans Who ar 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 would treat with President Carbajal, regardless of General Carr ansa's atti tude. A decree issued recently by 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 Kill 70 Out of 80. Brussels. Le Peuple asserts that In the fighting between German and Bel gians near Viae a platoon of Prussian, cavalry' waa almost annihilated by the fire of the Belgians from & building on the bank of the river. The Prussians in revenge, the newspaper says, fired on civilians. At Flemalle, near jtrgen tean. a Belgian force surprised a body of Prussians and killed 70 out of 10 officers and , 80 , men. The Belgian losses were 'wo officers killed and 10 men wounded;-',. ; :T:,r'-:f'i i ',' KINGS MOUNTAIN. N. 0. WILL ALL BE MET 8ECRETARY OF TREASURY Mo ADOO DECLARES FINANCIAL SITUATION 80UND. HAS INVESTIGATED AFFAIRS Crop Can Be Easily Moved and All Usual Demand of th Trade Readily Supplied. Washington. After two days of conference with bankers and careful Investigation of conditoin through out tbe country. Secretary McAdoo In a formal statement declared the fi nancial situation to be excellent and announced there would be sufficient currency to move crops and meet all demands of business. "The passage by unanimous vote of the house and senate of the amend ment to the Federal reserve act" the statement tayt, "whereby the secre tary of the treasury Is vested with tbe power to issue additional nation al bank currency, exceeding even 1500.000)000, as In his judgment may be necessary to protect tbe business situstlon In this country, puts at rest any question as to the ability of banks to take care of the situation. "There need be no fear whatever of Insufficient currency to move the crops and to meet the demands of business. The bill, as amended, au thorizes the secretary, In hit discre tion, to permit the national banks to have outstanding a maximum of cir culating notes equivalent to 125 per cent of their unimpaired capital and surplus. . . . "This provision will enable banks which bave now outstanding circula tion equal to their capital stock to se cure a large amount of. additional circulation. Applications have been received from national currency asso ciations throughout the country for additional currency and the applica tions are being promptly responded to. In many cases banks have ap plied for additional currency merely as a precautionary measure. "The situation throughout the country is excellent and no greater testimonial to the inherent strength of our financial and economic posi tion and condition could be given than the way In which the country has withstood the shock of the greatest European disturbances that bat oc curred in the last hundred years." ; Threaten Strike to Avoid War. Rome. Socialists, Republican and anarchists of Italy are conducting a campaign to prevent even military preparation! In Italy. A meeting of protest has been convoked in which railway and workmen's unions will take part It is Intended to Issue, an ultimatum to the government to the effect that either Italy shall abstain from any warlike attitude, or the workmen in all industries will strike. B. AO. Refute! Export Shipment. Baltimore. The Baltimore & Ohib railroad issued an embargo notice to its connecting lines and other traffic afflliatona stating that until' further notice' It will refuse shipments for export through Baltimore and other Atlanti (orta. -;. , . v., -: V i Fort Halifax Manned. Halifax. The First Canadian Artil lery, Sixty-third Halifax Rifles and the Sixty-sixth Princess Louise Fusilier of the Canadian militia were detailed to assist in manning tbe fort rest here. Peace Delegate Safe. ' Boston. A cablegram announcing the safe arrival in- Parts of 15 Ameri can delegates to tbe meeting of the Church Peace Union, which, was to have been held at Constance, were received. Rev. John A. Hamilton of Boston, s bishop of the Methodist episcopal church is a member of the party, ir: , .-.; . . : ; .. . Will Demand -His Passport. . Berlin. The German" eihperor tent rder to the German ambassador In Paris to demand bit passports.' . ' ENGLAND CALLS HALF-MILLION MEN REALIZING FIGHT IS TO DEATH BRITAIN I88UES CALL TO SERVICE. KITCHENER WAR MINISTER $500,000,000 Appropriated By Parlia mentBritish Fleet Hat Engaged German. Sank British Cruiser. London. The passage of a war bud get for J500.000.000 In the House of Commons without a dissenting voice and the granting of an Army Increase of 500,000 men in accordance with plans of Lord Kitchener, the new War Minister, show that Great Britain Is in deadly earnest. Call to arms iatued by the War Office aaya an addition of 100,000 men to the regular Army Is needed Imme diately and that Lord Kitchener Is confident this appeal will at once be 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 fit enlistment will be between IS and SO. The naval estlmatea provided for 67,000 additional officers and men, which will make the navy's strength 218,000 men. There are no Illusion in England that the war 1 certain to be a swift and decisive one. The people are steeled for a long and exbuastive struggle. j The Admiralty notified the public that the first news from the Navy might not be good news. Swift upon the heels of this Intimation came the tiding that the cruiser Amphlon had been sunk by a mine with the loss of on officer and 130 men Great Brit ain's first sacrifice to the war. It Is considered that British ships in the North Sea are running greater risks during the first days of the war than the Germans. The Royal family shares with the homea of its many subjects the suspense of waiting fot; news of the fate of the different units of the fleet. Prince Albert, the second son of tbe King, aboard the battleship Colllngwood, is one of tbe many boy midshipmen afloat sharing the perils of their elders. There was a dramatic Incident In the House of Commons when the fued between Lord Charles Beretford and Winston S. Churchill, First Lord of the Admiralty, was burled. . Admiral Beresford shook hands with the First Lord and said: "Well done." ' .' The torpedo-boat destroyer Lance, which tent the Hamburg-American Line steamer Koenlgln Lulee to the bottom with four shots, only come out of the shipyards only a few days before hardly dry.; '.-' Saya Farmers Borrow Trouble. Washington. Members of the con gressional committee who bave been investigating the altuation relating to the co ton crop of the South as affect ed by the war In Europe planned U Issue an address to Southern cotton growers declaring that prospecti conditions were not as alarming as had been anticipated. Owing to the street of business connected with the in quiry tbe statement was not Com pleted, but It will be Issued soon. Senator Hoke Smith, of Georgia, chairman of the committee, said he statement would assure the cotton growers ample transportation for their crop when it Is ready, and contain information to indicate that the British end Oriental markets will be little' affected and that many of the Continental mills still are oper ating. Austria at War With Russia. London. The French embassy in London was advised that the Austrian ambassador at St. Petersburg has asked for his passports. Austria Hungary regarding herself In a state of war with Russia. . ,. '.; French Capture German 8teamer. j ' Paris. A French mine ship cap tured and towed , into Cherbourg a 5,000-ton German steamer. China I Neutral. Peking, China. China proclaimed her neutrality In conectlon 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 been affected already and are Withdrawing their money from the banks controlled by financiers' repre senting Russian France, England, Germany and Japan which hitherto bad commanded every confidence. Activity In Steel Trad. New York. There .were a few In dication of reviving activity In finance and Industry, but In most directions a condition of suspended animation pre vailed. . : .r;j' From, the steel trade came reporta of higher prices and more active Inqnlryt The war created a wall more effective than any tariff In keeping out forilgn Distribution of emergency currency to New York banks continued butl the beaks made no' urgent demands the money went out slowly. tind IllllUbU .I1L.UIIUU a.--'' w'- AVENGE DISGRACE OF TURV AGO. FRENCH ARB WELCOME. ' MARTIAL LAW ESTABLISHED French Loaae "Not Excessive" But German Loss Said to Be "Very .. ". Serious." Paris. The Invasion of lower Alsace by a French army under General Jo seph Jeffre; the French commander-in-chief, hat awakened great enthusiasm throughout France. French military authorities, while reconizing the occupation of Altklrcb. and Muelhausen by French troop Is. not of high strategical Importance, believe tbe successful advance of the French army far across the German frontier will have considerable moral effect. It hi reported unofficially that Kolber, farther to the north, baa fallen Into the bands of the French. None of these three places was strong ly fortified and all lie outside the Use of real German defense, being guard ed as outposts of the strong fortlflvd cities. Their German garrisons nu merically were fairly strong but it was understood that in case of attack they merely would endeavor to hinder tbe French advance before falling back. Neu Brie sack, where they are said to have retired is east of Kolmar and is strongly fortified, while Strattburg. some distance to the north, the cen ter of a great aggregation of German troops. Is strongly fortified and sup posed to be prepared tor a long siege. Official reports of fighting between -the French and German troops state that the French losses were "not ex cessive," while those of the Germans are declared by the French to have been "very serious." Tbe Alsatian In habitants are said to have been to overjoyed at the appearance of the French Army that they tor Up the frontier posts. . Reports of the arrival of an Aus trian Army corps on tbe Swiss fron tier near Basel were the object of clote attention by French military au thorities. It was said that several more Austrian Army corps were be ing organized in the Tyrol whence they later would be sent toward the French frontier. In view of this the French Government asked the Auttro Hungarlan Ambassador to France, who remains at his post, to explain the intentions of Austria-Hungary u, re gard to France. ' Before retiring from Mulshausen German troops are hald to have eet fire to numerous buildings; especially warehouses where food and forage were stored. The forest of Hard, near Kolmar, Is said to have been razed. Martial law hat been established Id 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. Washington Inquiries About Ameri cans Taken A 8ple. - Washington. Secretary Bryan an- -flounced that the American govern n.ent was in communication with all its European embassies and legations and that every effort was being made to care for Americans on the conti nent Communication 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 Society, and other Americans report ed arrested at tpiet. : ' Official dispatches revealed that many Americans had been arrested ' or temporarily detained in Germany and that the first outbreak of -hostilities and during mobilization per sons who talked English were under espionage. The state department announced that an additional 150,000 had been cabled to Minister Stovall of Switz erland and that it waa estimated 8,000 Americana were in that country. Confiscate Money,' . ! Berlin. Three motor cart carrying large sums of money were captured by German people and troops as they -were trying to cross the Russian fron tier. u"-jr n , The empress and princess VtStL. Imperial .- family personally arrpar- ueipaung in supplying rood lor Ger man reservists passing through Ber lin. : They - were - enthusiastically ': cheered by the' troops. - -Among those who bave entered the German barracks at Doeberttt are a . superior Rusian official... , Will Congrew War Meet' Washington. Although administra tion leaders in Congress beliuve that -regular session can be completed soon v after September 1, some of them fear . possible emergencls that may arise through tbe -war in Europe will make it imperative that congress remain In dlcatet however, that If developments -of the next few weeks Indicate no , Iroubli in: prospect for the United states tne signal may oe given to . Wnd up the legislative program and ! adjourn for the fall campaign.