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1 ww THE WEATHER- VOL. XCVIKO. 33. EUROPE HIGHL BATTLE DEVELOPS m WEST PROSPECTIVE NA VAL FIGHT Ypres Again the Scene of Des perate Conflict Between Allies and Germans. CONFIRMED BY REPORTS Germans Claim Allies Have Been Driven Back and Prisoners Taken. Both Sides Claim Victory in Woevre District. Loudon. April 23. With a. big baitle developing near Ypres, in Flanders, and reports of a pros pective naval engagement ii the North Sea and of preparations for a combined naval and military attack on the Dardanelles, or oth er vital spots in Turkey, Europe tonight was highly expectant. That a severe engagement has taker, place near Ypres is eon- tinned by official reports, but these j are so contradictory that the ac tual result of the preliminary fihtiiiir is not known. It would appear, however, that following their Joss or Hill .No. 60 and their failure to re-capture, the Germans have begun an offensive from the northeast against the Anglo French line in front of Ypres, swne of such bloody battles last August, and alsdgainst the Bel gian line farther west. r Allies Driven Back. The Germans claim they drove the Allies back to 'the Ypres Ganal taking l.iiOO British and French prisoners and a nuiiioer 01 guns, ane x1 rencn aumn that the Allies had to fall back, but de clare this was due to the use by the Germans of asphyxiating gas.bombs. taris asserts that in counter attacks the Allies took many German prisoners anu mat me Belgians repuisea uerman attacks. It is believed here that these operations are only the beginning of another battle of Ypres. Although a dispatch from Holland to night gives a -rumor that the Germans are about to fall tack to the Liege line, to have troops ready for possible use against Italy, should Italy join the Al lies, it is considered more likely in mil itary circles here that the Germans win give battle where they , are, pre ferring to be the first to attack having learned from refcent experiences that it is difficult tot hold the strengest po rtions when an extremely heavy can nonade is directed against them. Fighting continues in the Woevre Bud here also both the French and Ger mans claim successes. The French In this region seemingly still are on the offensive and apparently determined to sttempt further toi squeeze the German wedge, which has its apex at St. Mihiel. The nrediction of .a naval battle in the North Sea, based on reports from Scandinavia of activity of the warships, has not materialized. flie only news from the Aegean sea comes fro m Athens and the Greek Is alnds. - it is that firing is heard at times in the vicinity of the Dardanelles and Smyrna and also in the Gulf of Saros where it is declared the Allies have lauded troops in the vicinity of the Turkish port, of Enos. ' There again have been reports-of Zep Pehn airships makiner their appearance aiong the northeast coast of England. Hie.se reports lack" confirmation. No bombs .ave been dropped on the coast towns. . I. UK ARE DRIVEX BACK. Awn r,!ng to Official Berlin Statement. Harp Action Nenr Ypres. He "'-I'litl. Vm T nnnn A n . 1 O 9 -The e'"' ! " Offlfjal rnnrY-t tn,ln.. oaii-c' -.'"hi the western arena, during last lt advanced from our front suenstraate east of Langemarck, "Sdir.st th positions of the enemy, north ;!ld northfao Vi-.ao With a o,Jr .-iroops moved forward a line !fl f !'" exte,1dins as far as the hills the i f Filken and east of Douon. At :,f,pS;,ine t;me they forced their way, ta er '' unborn fight, across the Ypres U Stf;''straate ''and Het Sas, eie i hey established themselves on tne ,.... , "ne viii.Y ... , . ... i "ot Sas :ilid Pil ii,;-;;' '- French : m b.U ' i ,a ''e 11 prisor Pilken were taken. and British sol- soners and 30 can- Uli-! nil i r . ... . I.ii 'our neavy uritisn guns "... n, our ands. the - r. J .ueuse ana the moseiie .-ainrrj,n"e fls'htinff yesterday again be tir.v v !!" '" iv'ely. The artillery bat st Mi r', 'sl-'ecally fierce at Combres, - me ana ADremont. as well an at I'-oini to ll1e narthfast nf WUrav. In- aiitr attacks on the oart of the ene- 1,1 " foil '"twee 0We'1 i'ly in the wooded country Ki-ev. vu'y and Anrcmont Ailly an,i Anrpmnrf. The tui,, ,'rif:lratei this region into cer- Ut t . , partly driven out again. . village of Embremeuil to the J Ar-court, Avhich had been tak hi. i vhich was set on fire by u.iue.I on rag. Two). H-esji tl. I. -1 V .. - ' - V j::!&fei rT' ' -AAX from them! ' n. 1 ; - !. . ' ....... u 1J i ' ' ii.--. .. .. I ' 'I . Y EXPECTANT AMU COTTON NTED BY SWISS Government of Mountain Na tion Appeals to U. S. A PECULIAR SITUATION Italian Embargo on Re-Exportlns; Ef fectively Cuts Cotton Supply of Neutral Country Efforts to Relieve Matter. Washington, April 23. An effort to relieve importers of American cotton and other contraband commodities in Switzerland from the rigors of the Al lies' blockade has been undertaken by the Washington government, Secretary Bryan announced today in response to a recent note presented here by the Swiss minister. The Swiss note, it is understood, has been forwarded to London and Rome and the American ambassadors there instructed to present to the British and Italian governments the situation in which the Swiss importers find them selves. The situation has been complicated by the Italian embargo on re-shipment of cotton or other commodities received in Italian ports. Cotton shipped to Switzerland through Italian ports has been stopped there on the ground that the Italian government could notguar antee that such shipments might not eventually reach Germany or Austria. An arrangement is said already to have been discussed by the Allies with the Swiss government under which cot ton shipments to that country could pass freely. Sir Cecil Spring-Rice, British ambas sador here, talked over the situation with Counsellor Lansing today at the State Department and later said the Al lies , Had ri$ desire, to impede cotton shipments to ..Switzerland, provided they were assured they would not reach Germany or Austria. An agreement similar to that reached with Holland, under which a government-controlled agency would become consignee, for the shipments and guarantee they would not be re-exported probably will be the solution of the difficulty, the ambassa dor thought. - Such an agreement would be unoffi cial so far as the United States was con cerned, although embassy officials ' in London and Rome, it was said, might aid in bringing about a satisfactory ad justment. YANDERBILT BECOMES HfTER-DENOMIXATIOXAIi Theologicaf Department Will Serve All Denominations is Announcement. Nashville, Tenn., April 23. The Bib lical department of Vanderbilt univer sity which heretofore has been con ducted as a theological college of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, will become non-sectarian and independent, according to announcement tonight in an official bulletin issued by the de partment. The new plan will be ef fective June 17. The faculty will include representa tives of the Methodist, Baptist, Episco pal, Christian and Presbyterian denom inations. In a statement given out by the de partment for publication it is said: "Vanderbilt authorities feel that in as much as the Methodist Episcopal church, South, has withdrawn its tup port and co-operation from the biblical department, and thus left it free for non-sectarian work, a future of large and cohtinally increasing influences and usefulness will result from the new departure it now makes in coming inter-denominational in work." be lts VILLA FORCES ARE FAST CONCENTRATING FOR ACTION Short of Ammunition on Account of European War Is Mexican Report Washington April 23. State Depart ment advices today from central Mex ico" indicated that General Villa was contnuing his effort to concentuate troops ' at Auguas Calientes for an other attack on General Obregon's vic torious Carranza army, reported to be advancing northward from the region of Irapuato. Villa- is understood to be short of ammunition", partcularly for his ar tillery. The enormous amount going to Europe is said to have made t dif ficult for him to get supplies from the United States. No official statement or reliable es timate of General Obregon's losses n the battle at Celays has been recelv, ed. '- Officials here, however, believe that Carranza . troops fighting on the defense, suffered slightly in compar sion to the 6,000 men Villa s'said to have lost. . FOURTEEN PEOPLE ARE DROWNED IN FLOODS Fear Felt for Others Missing at Aus tin Texas Streams Rose Suddenly - Austin, Texas, April 23. Fourteen persons are known to have been drowned in the flppd which swept down Shoal and Waller Creeks on the out skirts of Austin during last night's rain storm,? washing away more than 200 dwelling houses. Eleven other persons not accounted for are believed to f liave lost their lives. The prop erty damage, is s estimated at $500,000. Ten inches of rain fell within two hours last night, the creeks rising rap idly and overflowing their banks be fore residents of the lowlands could be warned. Twenty, bridges were washed 1 . ' : . : . ' ' ' ' WELMIKGTOX, N. THAW GETS TRIAL OF PEERS Wins Point in His Long Fight for Freedom. DECISION YESTERDAY Justice of Xew York Supreme Court Decide,That Jnry Shall Aid Him in Deciding; Sanity of Thaw Hearing May 17. New York, April 23. Harry K. Thaw after many attempts has finally suc ceeded in bringing the question of his sanity before a Jury. Application for a jury trial made by his attorneys in a writ of habeas corpus was granted today by Supreme Court Justice Hen drick, who set the trial for May IT. Justice Hendrick made it clear that the "jury was called in to aid the court by their advice" and that the finding of the jury would not be bind ing if the court was satisfied that it was not in accord with the evidence and with justice. The court,' he said, could disregard the jury's verdict and render his own decision. Thaw was radiant when he heard the verdict. His mother, Mrs. Mary Copley Thaw was not in court but Thaw's first thought in speaking to his friends was of her. "This will be very good news for my mother," he said. "My only regret is that the hearing will not take place earlier than May 17." . Thaw was remanded to the tombs pending the trial. Justice Hendrick's opinion accom panying the decision, was lengthy and showed. he had made a careful study of maws case and of authorities Ull . . .k .v v.v.- ma ucioiuu. X lie UlUUl question he had to decide was whether the court had power to grant a jury trial. He found that he did and he decided to exercise such power. Ample Precedent. "It is evident," Justice Hendrick held, "that In this state there is ample precedent for the impanelling of a jury to aid In trying the issues of fact rais ed -upon the traverse to the return in a habeas corpus proceeding. ' i siiouid. be Uoarne ' fn- rrnlhU 'thAt ThawAis not confined as a criminal. He has been acquitted of the crime with which he was charged, and there can be no punishment for one who has been acquitted. He is confined in a state hospital for the insane as a pre caution for the public. The commit ment can last mly so long as he is insane and he has the right at any time, under the law, tot have his sanity determined upon habeas corpus. "In view of the different conclusions reached in the various judicial proceed ings heertofore I think the time has come when the question of Thaw's san ity should be determined by the court by the aid of a jury of 12 men who are not lawyers or doctors, but who are called to aid the court by their advice 4n the determination of a question of fact." In discussing the date for the trail it developed that the consensus of opin ion of Judge and counsel was that it would last only about a week. It was said there would be no great array of expert witnesses, such as marked Thaw's trial for murder. Thaw, it was said, would have about ten witnesses and it was expected the state would call Drs. MacDonald and Flint, experts who have testified previously in the Thaw case and perhaps one or two others,. Thaw's trial on May 17 will be in connection with the writ of habeas cor pus secured from Supreme Court Jus tice Bijur some time ago. Application for this writ was based upon the con tention that Thaw is not insane and that he should be freed accordingly, whatever his condition might have been at the time he killed Stanford White. PRIZES PRESENTED TO LATHEAS For Best Work in Organiza tion of New Classes. Mrs. J. D. Holtman Awarded Brooch by Philatheas; Mr.'B. E. Roach Medal by Baraeas Wilmington "-Ministers Participate. (Special Star Telegram.) Raleigh, N. C, April 23. A special feature of the evening session of the Baraca-Philathea State Convention was the presentation of the special medal and other prizes for best work in the organization of classes for the past year. The medal for the greatest num ber of Baraca classes went to B. E. Roach, of Cliff side, who organized 17 classes of Baraca and formed one city union. The first prize, a handsome brooch, for the best work among thet fniiainea, went. 10 xvxrs. j. u. iioitman, of Rich Square, who organized eight classes. There was also a lovely prize for Miss Gertrude !M. Harris, of Henderson, who organized seven classes of Phila-1 theas. There were also quite a num ber of diplomas awarded to both Bara ca and Philathea workers. The convention' continues through tomorrow and Sunday. Concert at Meredith The Baraca-Philathea State Conven - -.(Continued on Page Two) . mm BARAGAS-PHI . -- II. , . , ,, , C, S ATUBDAX MORNING, APKIL 24, 1915 TELLING WHAT HE THOUGHT OF WILLIAM BARNES' POLITICS. n il' 1 : ; I -.v: tvTT y , - m l' : 111 i Ii I-'- - s ' ' 0 TfS5 I- ' . . tl I'-iii ; ir w:' J'yrdbr ' - - i S i ' , " " i ' , j$& SB r ;- w I C'' Theodore Roosevelt was thoroughly at ease when he testified for himself I in thfi o,, rr. (CD AAA J libel brought against him by William Barnes, Jr. This photograph shows ROOSEVELT TELLS OF CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS DURING SECOND IffifWDEIlCIWSBM Personal Relations Between Former President and "Boss" Barnes Recited Campaign Funds of Republican Party When Roosevelt Elected President Brought Into Trial of $50,000 Libel Suit Syracuse April 23. Theodore Roose velt told on this the second day of his cross examination in Wrlliam Barnes suit for $50,000 alleged libel about his dealings with the "bosses", his personal relations with Barries and his ideas about campaign funds of millions of dollars. He mentioned the famous half-million dollars which Thomas Fortune Ryan contributed to the presi dential cause of Alton B. Parker and swore he never had seen a list of the names of the persons who helped swell the $3,000,000 fund used in his own campaign for the Presidency. The list contained initials of men whom the Colonel readily identified as being allied with, the country's most powerful business and financial inter ests. In speaking of the Ryan contribu tion the witness gave it as his opinion that a leader of big business, who con tributes $500,000 to help elect a candid ate for President of the United States is prompted by the .same spirit which would cause him to donate , a similar sum to a church, and that such a con tributor has no more hope of reward in one case than he has in the other. Personally, he said, he would have been very much surprised in many masters of big business had they not contributed to the Republican cam paign of 1904. Mentioned Standard Oil The Colonel mentioned the Standard Oil Company. He said that if the re port of the Congressional committee which investigated his campaign con atributions showed that "H, H. R." and "J. D. A." which the witness thought stood for H. : H. Rogers and John D. Archbold had contributed to the Re publican fund in 1904 he was astonish ) ed He said he had: given explicit in structions against receiving Standard Oil contributions Personally he emphatically declared, he would regard just as highly a contribution of $25 from the station agent at Oyster Bay as he would a' contribution of $25,000 "from George W. Perkins, who in 1904 was a partner in the firm of J. P. Morgan and Com pany and he expressed the belief that there was a limit of the amount the campaign fund should total. Over . a certain sum, he did not say how much, he thought there might be some dan ger. The witness swore that . the late E. H. Harriman himself . had told him that there never was any such thing as a "$240,000 Harriman s.fund". He did identify as being his a letter he wrote to Mr; Harriman in which it was said "We are practical men" and that if Mr. Harriman thought there was any "danger" in coming to . the White House at that time he might come later and discuss a certain mat ter.. . -. v; - ;. a, , Colonel Roosevelt said .he - regarded William Barnes "as" Dr. Jekylf and Mr. Hyde who like other politicians' had' his Theodore Roosevelt on Witness Stand. one of his attitudes while on the wit ness stand before Justice Andrews in the court room at Syracuse. Most of thp time he sat in his chair with his right leg crossed over the left. "good and his bad sides". He said he had been persistent in his efforts to make politicians do what he consid ered right and that instead of endeav oring to sever the ligaments between these Siamese Twins of politics," his aim had always been to have the Dr. Jekyll in them absorb the "Mr. Hyde": Letters Introduced Many letters that passed between Mr. Barnes and the Colonel were identified and read to the jury. In these letters .the pair discussed political and legis lative matters and appointees to State office; In one of the letters Mr. Barnes expresses stern disapproval of a mea sure which proposed that state sena tors should be elected for four years and assemblymen for two years be cause such a - condition would give the voters "little opportunity to regis ter approval or disapproval". There will be np session of court to- morrow. On Monday, however. Colonel Roosevelt will resume his . testimony and submit to further examination by William M. Ivins, chief counsel for Mr. Barnes. The Colonel was just as active on the witness stand today as on the three previous days; He moved around in his chair, addressed his own and the plaintiff's counsel and justice Andrews . More than once he had l;he entire court in an uproar. Sometimes the presiding justice himself , placed his hand over his mouth to hide a smile. Mr. Barnes seemed to enjoy, himself also. Once when the Colonel was talk ing about bosses in states other than this he solemnly remarked that there was considerable difference between the meaning of the 'word "boss" in them and in New York. He , amused Mr. Barnes immensely spectators. as it did the Roosevelt Again on Stand. The cross-examination of Mr. Roose velt 'again today revolved about politi cal activities at Albany while Tie was Governor. . The witness was question ed closely about his relation to certain legislators. Calling- attention to Mr. Roosevelt's annual message in 'which establishment of a printing house was mentioned, Mr. Ivins says: "Did you ever do anything further officially in regard to that?" "Officially, no," replied ' Mr.; Roose velt. . ,"In your statement you refer to in visible government. No this is from your autobiography." Mr. Ivins read an excerpt .that had to do with invisible government and publicity for campaign contributions. "Did you ever mention invisible gov ernment before your return from Africa?" " . "I didn't use those words. But I referred to the thing in a message I sent to Congress in 1908." ; "Did Perry Belmont start .the move ment, to -require -publication of cam paign contributions?" ' Urged Measure in Congress. "He might :have. ; I urged such a measure in Congress." , ' "Had. you . until that . time ever called the attention of the voters to the dan- At other times he leaned forward and spoke, eagerly. He talked , to the jury directly, often, and in a most con vincing manner. gers of invisible government and the necessity of publishing campaign ex penses?" 1 "I think so." "I don't care what' you think. Did you of did you not?" "I did." . "When did Charles F. Murphy be come the nominal leader of the Demo cratic party in New York?" "He was not the nominal leader. He became the actual leader after Mr. Croker went to Europe, first in New York and then throughout the state. He became dominant." "Isn't it a fact he first showed his control at the Buffalo convention of 1906?" "That's ray memory. I can't be sure of it." "Well, now while you were Governor, there was invisible government, you sayv y Why didn't "you make an attack then similar to the one you made on tuv ta.r,D'" I .'.j tVia kii, w i i waniea, wouia nave." Mr. Ivins then requested the court to instruct the witness to answer cate gorically and not go 'beyond and make statements. In Cross With Judge. "If the rules of law are observed and this witness is treated as any oth er witness " began Mr. Ivins. Justice Andrews rapped with his gavel and said: Mr. Ivins, this witness is treated tne same as other witnesses. I won't permit any such language here." "I apologize," said Mr. Ivins and continued his cross-examination. "Did you confer with Mr. Piatt about anoointiner Mr Wfinrtrir-lr a n rimmi j sioner of. public works?" "No. Not particularly. Senator Piatt himself offered Mr. Hendricks the place. He. (Piatt) showed a telegram of acceptance from Mr, Hendricks." As the witness told this he laughed and the spectators joined in.- "How many times in 1899 did you see Mr. Barnes alone?" "I couldn't say. Many times." "Did you invite Mr. Barnes to the White House?" "Yes." "You did that in spite of his mis trust to the" people and the invisible empire?" "Yes.'' ' . . Mr. Ivins read a sentence from the autobiography about Mr. Piatt's most efficient lieutenants being men of the best character and the highest stand ing in the community. "Did you include Mr. lieutenants in 1913?" Barnes in the "No." "Did you infclude him in that class in 1890 or 1900?'-' "No." "If you did not so regard him why did you consult and associate with him?" - Above... Average Politician. "Because . I thought he , was above the average of the run of politicians ; (Continued on Page Two) WHOLE NUMBER 39,179 EAST PRUSSIA s Thousands Homeless, Towns Burned, Millions of Damage RESULT RUSSIAN RAID Associated Press, Correspondent on the Ground Soon - After Russian Army Took Possession Suc cession of Devasted Towns Koenigsburg, East Prussia, April, 23. (Correspondence of Associated Pess) Thousands, of persons homeless, thousands of buildings burned to the ground and hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars worth of dam age done such is. the tpU of the Rus sian invasions of Bast Prussia which culminated recently- in a raid on the little city of Memel,' in the northern most corner of the province. Hard on the heels of the most re cent invaders an Associated Press cor respondent recently toured East Prus sia or that part of it which at one time or- other had been held by the Russians. From the German-Russian border, which is 15 miles to the northward of Memel, to Bialla, far to the south and -for miles inward from the curving boundary line, there now lies, in space of a one-time prosperous agricultural section, an " almost desplate waste, punctuated here and there with half ruined communities. Less than 72 hours after the Rus sians had wrecked the town of Memel and . only to leave it and 171, of their number dead when German reinforce ments arrived, the Associated' Press correspondent reached the isolated community to find it a veritable city of fear. Refugees By Thousands Along every road within miles of Memel hundreds of wagons filled with fugitives were hurrying with what they had been able to save from their homes. Their number were up in the thousands whidh earlier, had fled-in similar fashion and now are quartered all pver Germany. Along a line of 150 miles as the crow flies and for a distance varying from five to 50 miles inward from the Rus sian border there now remains only a succession of ruins. The East Prus sian authorities estimate the number, of fugitives driven out at about 300, 000 the number of horses taken at 100,000 th enumber of cattle- at 150, 000. The extent of the property dam age, "however, is impossible even to guess. That It will run into the mil lions is altogether likely. These same authorities appeared to have proceeded with conservatism. Wild tales of atrocities have been dis counted from first to last and In many cases have proved to be the products of excited imagination. Careful ln vestigaton, nevertheless, has establish ed beyond much doubt, according to German statements, that thousands of women and children have been carried ofi to Russia and that civilians havo been killed and outraged. Bleak eastern East Prussia today presents, not the appearance of Bel gium with its shell-ruined towns, but a succession of devastated towns, all but devoid of inhabitants. The extent of the damage varies only in degree from Schirwindt, the City of the Dead, to Memel, the City of Fea. Richmond, Va., April 23. The Vir ginia Supreme court of appeals today sustained the lower court in refusing the petition of the Virginia Ralway and Power Company for an injunction forbiding two jitney bus companies to operate here without first procured franchises from the city. Repair Work Proceeds Be neath Veil of Mystery German Converted Cruiser Placed Where She Could Slip Out of Har bor on Dark Night Without Being Detected. " Newport News, Va., April 23. The German auxiliary cruiser Kronprinz Wilhelm, which yesterday, was removed" from dry dock out into the stream, donned a veil of mystery today. Until Commander Thierfelder attempts a dash past the Allies' cruisers off the Capes or notifies the United States gov ernment that he desires to intern his vessel, developments will be guarded with the utmost secrecy. Collector of Customs Hamilton today declined to discuss the status of the Wilhelm. Those unofficially in touch with the situation believe Captain Thierfelder really intends to depart. Anchored in the stream, instead of tied up at a pier as the Prinz Eitel Frie drich, the Wilhelm on a dark night could leave this port before the fact became known to those ashore. Repair work is being rushed and it Is believed the cruiser will be in a sea worthy condition before the expiration of any tinie limit set by the govern ment. KRONPRINZ WILHELM IS ANCHORED AMIDSTREAM k
Wilmington Morning Star (Wilmington, N.C.)
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April 24, 1915, edition 1
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