#
VOL 33
SMITHFIELD, N. C., FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1914
Number 44
AUSTRIA AT WAR WITH SERVIA.
May Be One of the Greatest Wars of
History. World Looking On to See
What Course Other Nations May
Take. Russia May Take Up Arms
for Her Weaker Neighbor. Strength
of the Opposing Nations.
London, July 28.—The Austro-Hun
garian government declared war
against Servia today by a manifesto
which is one of the briefest of histo
ry’s momentous documents.
Germany paved the way for this
declaration by announcing her rejec
tion of the British proposal to bring
four powers together in conference for
mediation. Germany explained her al
ly could not be expected to submit
her acts to an European council as
though she were one of the Balkan
States.
This announcement preceded the de
claration of war by only two hours
and showed the harmonious working
of the partnership between the two
nations which stood firmly together
through the Bosnian crisis of 1909.
The center of interest has shifted
sharply to St. Petersburg, which holds
the decision whether an European
war, which probably would shift the
balance of power if not rearranged
the entire map of Europe, is to break
out. Negotiations are afoot there be
tween the Russian foreign minister
and the Austrian ambassador, which
are designed to “localize” the con
flict.
There is no enthusiasm in England
for war, yet there is a general be
lief that her obligations to her part
ners in the triple entente, and her in
terests as a great European power,
will force her to support Russia and
France in any steps they may take.
The British warships everywhere
are taking on supplies. Soon after it
became known that Austria and Ser
via were at war, all the officers and
sailors ashore at Portland and Wey
mouth were summoned to their
ships.
Text of War Declaration.
Vienna, July 28.—The text of the
declaration of war follows:
“The Royal Government of Servia
not having replied in a satisfac
tory manner to the note remitted to
it by the Austro-Hungarian Minister
in Belgrade on July 23, 1913, the im
perial and royal Government finds it
self compelled to proceed itself to
safeguard its rights and interests
and to have recourse for this purpose
to force of arms.
“Austria-Hungary considers itself
from this moment in a state of war
with Servia.”
Facts About Combating Nations.
Servia.
Serbs, a Slavic tribe, invaded the
present Servia—637.
Converted to Christianity—900.
Passed under Turkish rule—1459.
Got independence—1877. V
Proclaimed a kingdom—1882.
Population—3,000,000.
Area—18,649 square miles.
Capital—Belgrade.
Standing army—195,000 men.
Navy—None.
Ruler—Crown Prince Regent Alex
ander,
Austria.
Austria’s wars began in 14 B. C.,
when the Romans conquered the Nor
ici.
The Hapsburg imperial family has
reigned in Austria since 1825.
Area—241,513 square miles.
Population—45,405,267.
Capital—Vienna.
Standing army—810,000 men.
Navy—114 ships.
Ruler—Francis Joseph, emperor.
St. Petersburg, July 29.—In Rus
sian eyes the die is cast. Only a po
litical miracle can avert war.
Russia does not swerve from her de
termination to support Servia and
partial mobilization has already been
ordered. There is every indication
that the whole vast military machin
ery of Russia will soon be set in mo
tion.
Should Emperor Nicholas become
generalissimo of the forces, as it is
understood he will, an immense wave
of enthusiasm will sweep over Russia.
The proposal attributed to Austria
to discuss terms when Belgrade has
been occupied, is regarded as impos
sible. It is pointed out that before
the opening of hostilities Russia pro
posed to Austria a direct exchange of
views, which Austria rejected.
London, July 29.—The day’s events
brought no relief to the suspense nor
any diplomatic achievement to re
strict the Austria-Servian war to t
those two nations. The feeling j
throughout England, and the conti- j
nental feeling as reflected by the cor
respondents of the London newspa-1
pers is tonight distinctly more anx
ious than yesterday.
Two events have made for pessim
ism. Direct negotiations between
Russia and Austria, which gave the
other governments hope of a compro
mise, have failed and are ended.
Russia is mobilizing against the
Austrian frontier four army corps in
each of the four districts, consisting
of 1,280,000 men. Russia’s resolu
tion to stand by Servia appears to be
fixed, and the Russian censor has ap
proved dispatches declaring that Rus
sian sentiment is all for taking up
arms.
SELMA NEWS.
Selma, July 30.—Last Tuesday was
a big day for Selma. It was the
3rd Watermelon and Baby Show, and
under the leadership of Mayor Robert
E. Richardson was a big success.
There were about 2,500 people pres
ent, men prominent in North Caroli
na political and educational life were
here to see their old friends and make
new friends. It was the most order
ly crowd ever seen here,
that prohibition does n
but, one thing is certai
ago that number of people
have gotten together wi
being a number of drunk
As it was, there was not ;
spoken, or a drunken
Whether prohibition prohibits or not
it makes men better. The most en
joyable feature of the day was the
gathering of the old students of the
Hon. John C. Scarbourough. There
vere 22 of them present, from all
parts of the State. The speeches
were well received. ’Twas a hot day,
but as the talks were by the old
teachers and students, strict attention
was given. The only drawback was
that the melons, tomatoes, etc., could
not be shown better. They were on
the stage, out of the way and one had
to look for them, A place for them
on the grounds where all could see
would have been better. Letters were
read from Dr. M. Charles Millender,
of Asheville; Mrs. A. B. Creech, of
Greensboro; Mr E. T. Phillips and
others, regretting that they could not
be present and grasp the hand of
their wise old teacher and of their
fellow students. The following is a
list of the old students present:
James T. Blackman, of Durham, N.
C.
Mrs. Mary Buffalo, of Raleigh.
[ Iredell Talton, of Smithfield.
Charles E. Godwin, of Lexington.
Mrs. M. A. Barnes, ot Clayton.
A. D. Ford, of Four Oaks.
Perrin B. Corbett, of Troy.
E. T. Futrell, of Pine Level.
M. C. S. Noble, of Chapel Hill.
John A. Wilson, of Wilson’s Mills.
William G. Wilson, of Wilson’s
Mills.
D. J. Wellons, of Smithfield.
G. L. Jones, of Smithfield.
Adin Powell, of Smithfield.
Mrs. J. C. Scarborough, of Winton.
John E. Allen, of Garner.
Henry D. Hood, Mrs. R. J. Noble,
Miss Sallie Kirby, Wiley W. Crum
pler, J. E. Little, Charles F. Kirby, j
and Dr. R. J. Noble, of Selma.
One feature of the Melon and Baby j
| Show was the dinner to the Old Vet-1
erans, given by the Daughters of the
Confederacy. The old vets were as
sembled by comrade John H. Parker,
bugler for the State Confederate Vet
erans. For a number of years Squire
Parker has been the bugler and has
called them to attention at every meet
ing. It seems that comrade Parker
is a fixture at their meetings and
the only thing that can keep him
away from the annual camps will be
the last blast of the bugle sounded
by the angel Gabrial.
Mr. Parker has his discharge from
the army of Northern Virginia, sign
ed by E. J. Holt, First Lieut. Com
manding Roberts Brigade.
Mr. and Mrs. Thos. W. Winston, of
Oxford, were here last Friday and
were the guests of Mrs. G. A. Tuck.
Mrs. M. C. Taylor, of Oxford, is
visiting Mrs. R. J- Noble.
Mrs. Baily, of Dunn, spent Tuesday
with her aunt, Mrs. W. B. Driver.
SLUMP IN MARKETS OF WORLD.
Expectation and Declaration of WTar
Demoralizes Prices Everywhere.
Associated Press, 28th.
Expectation of war between Aus
tria-Hungary and Servia and its sub
sequent declaration today demoraliz
ed the markets of the world.
War was not declared until after
the Bourses of Europe had closed but
in London, Berlin and Paris, panicky
conditions and severe declines in
securities anticipated the announce
ment. At all three Capitals, bonds
of European Governments which
have been dropping steadily register
ed further losses.
In Vienna the Bourse had been
closed since Saturday, but there was
a heavy run on the Austrian Savings
Banks, the most important in the
dual monarchy.
In Paris the Commercial Exchange
suspended all dealings in grains, sugar
and other commodities and exchange
on London and private discount for
the first time in years were not
quoted.
In Berlin runs on savings banks be
gun yesterday, grew heavier.
In London, after the close of the
stock market, stocks tumbled on the
curb.
News of the declaration reached
this country while markets were in
session. With it came an avalanche
of foreign selling on the New York
Stock Exchange. Leading securi
ties slumped from 5 to 20 points and
conditions paralleled in their intensi
^ the domestic panic of 1907.
f Stock exchanges of Montreal and
Toronto suspended their sessions.
On the Chicago Board of Trade
there was a tremendous rise in wheat
and the wildest trading in many years
on the expectation that war in Europe
would create a demand for American
grain. Other foodstuffs also ad
vanced. These conditions were reflect
ed in all produce markets of the
country.
On the other hand smart declines
were recorded in cotton futures at
New York and New Orleans. Coffee
also slumped, owing, it was reported,
to fears that contemplated financing
in Europe of the Brazilian crop would
fail. Foreign exchange was demoral
ized and millions in gold were en
gaged at New York for shipment to
London and Paris.
FOUR OAKS NEWS.
Four Oaks, July 28.—Mr. and Mrs.
G. A. Thornton, of Goldsboro, spent
a day last week here at th^ home of
W. J. Lewis. Mr. and Mrs. Thornton
have been spending some time in
South Carolina.
Mrs. J. W. Sanders and children
have returned from a visit to Mrs.
Sanders’ brother, Mr. Chas. Creech,
at Littleton, N. C.
Mrs. L. G. Stevens and son, Leon,
Jr., are visiting in Smithfield this
week
Messrs. A. Creech and Chester Las
siter left Tuesday for Fuquay Springs
on a week’s vacation.
Mr. Tommie Strickland, of Atlanta,
Ga., and Ransom Strickland, of Coats,
N. C., spent Sunday here with their
mother, Mrs. Ebb Strickland.
Mrs. Ella Dutton and daughters,
Dorathy and Mildred, of Sumter, S. C.,
are spending some time at the home
of K. L. Barbour.
Mrs. B. B. Adams has returned
from Asheville, N. C.
Dr. Royall, of Morehead City, N. C„
is a guest at the home of Mr. B. B.
Adams.
Miss Margaret Moore, of Smithfield,
visited Miss Leola Sanders last week.
Mrs. J. B. Stanley and children, of
McColl, S. C., are the guests of Mrs.
E. Creech.
Mrs. J. J. Sway who ha.; been the
guest of Mrs. J. T. Cole for the past
two weeks, returned to her home in
Norfolk, Va., Monday.
Mr. Lacy Lassiter, of Goldsboro, N.
C., visited Messrs. Chester and Victor
Cole last week.
Miss Ruth May, of Spring Hope, N.
C., is the guest of Miss Alma Adams.
Miss Maybelle Mewborn, of La
Grange, N. C., is spending some time
at the home of Mrs. E. Creech.
Mr. Arthur Blaylock who has been
taking a course in Dentistry at Rich
mond, V a., for the past two years, is
spending his vacation here. Mr. Blay
lock has many friends throughout
the county, having lived here for sev
eral years.
RAIN NEEDED IN THE SOUTH
—
Hot and Dry Weather Over the Cotton
Belt Making Inroads on the Crops.
Washington, D. C., July 28.—Rain
is badly needed by growing cotton in
many localities, especially in the
Southwest, according to the weather
bureau’s weekly review, issued today.
Local showers have maintained the
generally good conditions of the crop
in some sections, but in many parts
of the Central and Eastern belt, hot.
dry weather had retarded the plant,
and in Texas and Oklahoma consid
erable deterioration resulted in the
drouth. Conditions in Virginia, North
Carolina, and South Carolina are
summarized as follows:
Virginia—Hot, dry weather was
unfavorable for the progress of veg
etation. Corn, tobacco, and garden
srtuff are at a standstill. Good soak
ing rains are needed.
North Carolina—The rain fall was
generally light and scattered. Tem
peratures were high. Cotton made
satisfactory progress, and the early
planted is fruiting well. Corn and
truck need rain.
South Carolina—Excessive heat
with nearly unbroken sunshine mark
ed the week. While crops generally
are in good condition, plentiful rains
are needed everywhere. The army
worm is damaging forage in Charles
ton County.
INVENTION’S GREAT WONDERS.
Alexander Graham Bell Tells How
Genius Labors.
National Geographic Magazine.
Alexander Graham Bell, the invent
or, told a class of young students at
Washington the other day about put
ting his head under water and strik
ing two stones together beneath the
surface. “It sounded as if a man
were hammering for all he was worth!
at my very ears.”
Next he sent a boy a mile away to
strike the stones, and “the signals
came perfectly clear and distinct.”
In these little facts, and the other
fact that sound goes over 5,000 feet
a second through water to its 1,000
feet through air, lay for somebody
the germ of the submarine bell sig
nals used on ships.
Now, in exploring the earth’s sur
face as it lies under deep waters, a
great deal of time and labor is expend
ed merely in ascertaining the depth.
“Why,” asks Professor Bell,
“should we not send down a sound in
stead and listen for an echo from the
bottom?”—thus accomplishing in
four seconds a work now taking some
times more than four hours.
And we should learn by the short
er method something of the nature
of things below. “A flat bottom
should yield a single sharp return,
whereas an undulating bottom should
yield a multiple echo, like that heard
when you fire a pistol among hills.” |
Professor Bell then gave an ac
count, which is here condensed, of an j
invention founded on a smell:
First, a chemist detected in sulphur- \
ic-acid waste an odor which on analy-1
sis was found to come from a hither
to unknown substance. This was call
ed silenium.
ocv;unu, aiieiiium yduiiuacu w<*:> ,
found to be a conductor of electricity
of phenomenally high resistance.
Third, the new resistant, having
been put to use in place of whole
coils of wire to balance the Atlantic
cable during the period of laying, was
found to have at night twice its re
sisting power of the daytime.
Fourth, Professor Bell, playing up-1
on silenium’s sensitiveness to light,
produced the photophone, by means
of which one may talk over a beam
of light.
Speaking of the possibility of mak
ing the trans-Atlantic trip by aero
plane, Professor Bell did not venture
upon prophecy. He did, however, t
mention the fact that a flying machine j
flies faster the higher it mounts, the
resistance being less in rarified air
and the action of the propeller more
rapid.
“A 50-mile-an-hour machine flying
two miles high will fly much faster
than 50 miles an hour. Besides, at
that height a 25 to 50 mile breeze
blows in the general direction of Eu
rope.
“Calculation shows that, taking all
these circumstances into considera
tion, our best machines should be able
to cross the Atlantic in 13 hours.”
NEW YORK COLDEST IN YEARS.
Sweaters, Overcoats and Furs Worn
in Efforts to Keep Warm.
New York, July 29.—Light oxer
coats, sweaters and even furs were
much in evidence on the streets and
trains in New York last night and
early today. The temperature drop
ped as low as 61 degrees, which, ac
cording to the Weather Bureau fore
caster, was a record for July 28
since 1884.
Captains of incoming steamships
said that the weather on the ocean
was cooler during the past few days
than they had known it at the end
of July for the last twenty-five years.
THE NEWS IN CLAYTON.
Clayton, July 29.—Mrs. J. W. Mas
sey and Miss Winona Massey left on
Wednesday last for Black Mountain.
They will be gone some time.
Mr. and Mrs. Hunter Ellington, of
Smithfield, are visiting Mrs. B. A. Ho
cutt.
On the first Sunday in August a
meeting will begin at Mt. Moriah
church. Rev. Carter A. Jenkens, of
Calvary church, Richmond will do the
preaching.
We see in the Clayton News of last
week a most interesting letter from
Mr. J. Dwight Barbour, written while
at Atlantic City. He was one of the
party of young men who made a tour
of Northern cities in Mr. M. G. Tal
ton’s car. They returned to town last
Saturday night, and report a fine trip.
Mr. and Mrs. John Allen, from Au
burn, were in town several days of
last week, visiting Mr. Allen’s sis
ter, Mrs. David W. Barbour.
Kenly played Clayton at Liberty
ball ground Monday afternoon. The
score was 7 to 6 in favor of Clayton.
Mr. and Mrs. Hubert L. Jones are in
the city.
Mrs. Edgar McCullers returned
home on Monday of last week, after
a two weeks’ stay at Wrightsville
Beach.
We see from the Clayton News
that Mr. W. Allison Johnson will be
gin service on the police force of
Wilson, August 1st. He served for
several years as Chief of Police of
Clayton. He was a fearless officer,
and a terror to evil-doers.
Miss Mildred Barbour returned
home on Monday from Ayden, where
she has been attending a house par
ty.
Mrs. G. W. Fisher and son, Edgar,
were in town on Tuesday, the guests
of Mrs. David Barbour. Mr. Fisher,
who was at one time pastor of the
Methodist church here, is now sta
tioned at Gatesville.
On Friday there is to be a lawn
party on the Baptist church grounds,
under the auspices of Circle No. Six
of the Ladies’ Aid Society. It is the
first of the season, so let’s go and en
joy it. In the case of rain the par
sonage porch will be used.
New York Cotton.
New York, July 28.—The much
dreaded announcement that war be
tween Austria and Servia had been
declared came at noon today with de
moralizing effect upon cotton prices
which broke 36 to 50 points under
last night on the news or nearly $2
a bale on new crop positions, making
new low levels for the present bear
movement. Closing prices were only
a shade up from the lowest and 34 to
50 points under the previous night.
July contracts showed the extreme de
cline on the theory that spot cotton
would be first to feel the effects of
European war. Rumors involving
other large continental powers in the
controversy added to the feverish con
dition of the afternoon market when
trade was on a large scale, including
heavy liquidations, foreign selling and
commission house pressure.
It was feared that as a result of
the foreign exchange market being
more or less disorganized by the Eu
ropean developments there might be
unusually large hedge selling in this
market as soon as the new crop is
ready to move.
Fireworks Kill 25.
Tudela, Spain, July 29.—Twenty
five persons were killed and others fa
tally hurt while 40 sustained serious
injuries as the result of an explosion
of fireworks during a local festival
today.
Most of the dead were decapitated
by the force of the explosion.
GOVERNMENT CROP REPORT. C
Summary of Weather and Crop Con
ditions in the Cotton Region for
Week Ending July 27th, 1914.
Washington, D. C., July 28.—Cot
ton continued satisfactory growth in
the eastern belt where early planted
is fruiting well, but some reports of
shedding in Georgia on account of
dry weather. In the central belt show
ers improved cotton in Arkansas and'
satisfactory growth generally made
in other portions except Tennessee,
northern Mississippi and southern Al
abama, general rains would be bene
ficial.
Drought becoming serious over
most of Oklahomo but cotton hold
ing up well although shedding in
some places.
Local showers in many portions of
Texas helped cotton but generally in
sufficient to break drought. Most lo
calities crop is at standstill or dete
riorating.
Late truck is reported in god con
dition but needing rain.
MILL CREEK NOTES
Miss Georgia Hood spent a few
days of last week in Smithfield visit
ing relatives there.
Miss Cora Barfield entertained a
number of her friends on Saturday
night last. lee cream and cake were
served and the event was greatly en
joyed.
Sheriff W. F. Grimes was in this
section Monday on official duty.
Messrs. Sam T. Honeycutt, J. A. Mas
sengill, E. T. Watson and J. H. Price,
and other candidates have paid us
recent visits.
The protracted meeting is now in
progress at Mill Creek Christian
church. The pastor, Rev. J. M. Saun
ders, is assisted by Mr. Hugo Gran
tham, who has charge of the music.
The pastor is preaching some power
ful sermons, and a great congrega
tion is at every service.
Quite a number of the people of
this section attended the Masonic fu
neral of the late Arthul Lee at New
ton Grove last Sunday. The funeral
oration was masterfully delivered by
the venerable, Rev. W. A. Forbes, of
Buie's Creek.
We note the following visitors dur
ing the past week: Mr. W. B. Cole,
C. H. Higgins and Mrs. W. F. Grimes
and children, of Smithfield; Mr. La
cy Lassiter, of Goldsboro; Messrs.
Victor and Chester Cole, of Four
Oaks; Mesdames R. L. Weaver and
Rufus Chadwick and Misses Esther,
Margaret and Rena Cole, of Wilming
ton and Mr. W. O. Hocutt, of Oneals
totwnship.
This drouth is certainly a serious
affair to the farmers of upper Wayne
and Sampson and Lower Johnston.
Its like has never been known before
even by our oldest citizens. Mill
Creek for the first time in perhaps
75 years has ceased to be a stream
and now stands in small pools of
water. Crops of all kinds have suf
fered greatly and the corn crop, some
of which is entirely dead, is cut at
leas£ 50 per cent.
The Democratic primary is near at
hand. Every Democrat in Johnston
should vote in that election, and in it
every effort should be exerted to main
tain the inherent principles of Dem
ocracy. The idea of rotation should
not be gone too far from; soft palaver,
which some of the candidates so effec
tively use in canvassing the voters
should not have a feather’s weight in
making the ticket. The candidate
whose deal in life has been the fair
est, whose morals at all times have
been best, whose ability to perform
the duties of office is the least in
question and whose sole intention is
to serve the whole people and not. a
feared few is the one to receive our
considerations and our votes.
Bentonville, July 28, 1914.
Spanish Fleet Assembles.
Gibraltar, July 29.—Spain has or
dered every available warship to as
semble at the Balearic Isles, in the
Mediterranean. The battleship Pelayo
and several cruisers are proceeding
from the Moorish coast, and the cru
sier Extremadura and a torpedo boat
squadron are leaving Algeciras for
the same destination.
All necessary precautions are being
take here.
fhe news from the European war
zone causes trade excitement.