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VOL 33 SMITHFIELD, N. C., TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1914 Number 45 GERMANY AT WAR WITH RUSSIA Some of the Principal Events since Fri day Told in Condensed Form. Some of the Events Leading up to Hos tilities Between Austria and Ser via. France and Germany Also at War With a Possibility of England Joining With Russia and France. London, Aug. 3.—Great Britain has mobilized her forces and awaits events. Today she is not a bellig erent power, nor is she a neutral one. The government has given France assurance that the British fleet will not permit the German fleet to at tack the French coast. It has not yet pledged itself to contribute an army to the continental war. The British government regards with the deepest distrust Germany’s violation of Belgium’s neutrality, but makes no declaration as to whether it considers that measure provocation for war. This pronouncement of government policy—the result of two days almost deliberations—was made to the house of commons late today by Sir Edward Grey, secretary of state for foreign affairs. Therefore the trying hour of suspense for the British people is prolonged indefinitely. Germans Invade France. Germany began an invasion of France Sunday without waiting for a formal declaration of war. The in vading forces consisted of two col umns, one of which entered the in dependent Grand Duchy of Luxem burg in the night, seizing the rail road and passing on into French ter ritory attacked the French second class fortified town of Longwy, near the Belgian border. Reports of sub sequent events are vague and contra dictory, some saying that there was stubborn fighting there. The other in vading column, of 20,000 men, cross ed the French border near Nancy and is reported to have been repulsed with heavy losses. Germany declined to make a definite reply to a question asked by Great Britain whether the Kaiser was ready to respect the neu trality of Belgium, whose neutrality England feels bound to guarantee. French Aeroplane Dashes Into Zep pelin. London, Aug. 2.—The first engage ment of the great European war was fought in the air, according to a re por received here to-night, between a French aeroplane and a German dirig ible. Every man in the fight was killed. The report says that German and French air craft have been flying just over the frontier since yesterday morning. The Germans are using the big Zeppelin type dirigibles, while aeroplanes are employed by the French. Roland, Garros, the French flier, sighted a German dirigible on the French side of the border line near Nancy. The French pilot drove his machine straight at the dirigible, which was manned by twenty-five soldiers, and dashed against the gas bag. The dirigible was wrecked and all aboard as well as Garros were dashed to death. It is believed that the Frenchman deliberately sacrificed himself to deal destruction to the Germans. A Memorable Ten Days. New York Sun, Aug. 2nd. Thursday July 23.—Austria sends ultimatum to Servia, to be answered by 6 o’clock Saturday evening, de manding that Servia punish accompli ces to the murder of Archduke Fran cis Ferdinand and his wife, repress pan-Serb propaganda and publish of ficial denunciation of anti-Austrian agitation and that Austrian officers be permitted to try Servian offenders on Servian soil. Friday—Russia makes represents-; tions to Austria in Servia’s favor ask ing for an extension of time to an swer ultimatum. Saturday—Servia answers ultima tum ten minutes inside of stipulated time, yielding all points but investi gation of Servians by Austria. An swer unsatisfactory and Austrian Minister and staff leave Belgrade. Sunday—Servia Minister dismissed from Vienna. Europe seeks means of mediation. Servian army mobilized; Austrians hurried to Servian borders. Russia sends warning to Germany. Monday—Austria gives reasons for rejecting Servia’s ansvcer and pre pares to cross the Save and Danube. Sir Edward Grey proposes conference in London to mediate between Austria and Russia. Bourses close at Vienna, Brussels and Budapest; heavy runs on German banks. Kaiser returns to Berlin and calls conference of Minis ters. Greek Minister says his coun try will aid Servia with 100,000 men. Tuesday—Austria formally de clares war on Servia, seizes boats and blockades Montenegrin ports. Sir Edward Grey’s peace plans fail. Rus sia threatened Austria and massed troops on eastern border. London, Paris and Berlin markets show se vere decline; $10,000,000 in gold ship ped to Europe from New York; wheat advances sharply, causing wild excite ment in Chicago and St. Louis ex changes, and prices decline in New York stock markets. Wednesday—Belgrade bombarded by gunboats and occupied by Aus trians. Germany warns Russia to stop mobilization. France reported ready to advance by way of Belgium. German troops sent to Russian fron tier. Americans in Europe in strug gle to get accommodations home. In ternational peace conference set for August 15 to 26 in Vienna abandon ed. Stocks on European bourses weak; Paris Bourse only formally op en; English bankers withdraw ’ash from Vienna banks; big slump in Chicago wheat market. Thursday—Kaiser calls on Russia to stop mobilization within twenty four hours. Portsmouth ana Dover harbors closed. Austria hurls oOO.OOO soldiers in four divisions into Servia; engagements at Semendria on the Danube and Foca in Bosnia. Prices on New York Stock Exchange drop to lowest levels since panic of 1907, to tal of 1,300,500 shares > changing hands; more gold engaged for trans port to Europe, in all $40,000,000 in five days; war insurance soars; for eign exchange advances. Bulgaria is sued declaration of neutrality. Friday—Martial law declared in Germany. British fleet leaves Ply mouth; German squadron stops mer chant vessel in Danish waters. Aus trians and Servians clash on Danube and on Bosnian frontier. Secretary McAdoo announces that the Govern ment is ready to issue $500,000,000 of emergency currency. New York Stock Exchange closes its doors, first time since 1873; Consolidated Exchange follows; Cotton Exchange did not op en; trading stopped on the curb. Saturday—Germany declares war on Russia. Italy refuses to side with Germany and Austria, declaring that her alliance was only defensive. Ger many mobilizing all her forces. France orders general mobilization to start Sunday. Great Britain announc se that she will decide Sunday if she will support France. Bank of England discount rate reaches 10 per cent., highest point in history of institution. Secretary of Treasury calls conference of Clearing House associations and prepares to issue em ergency currency. Translantic ser vice between New York and Conti nental Europe suspended. Martial law declared in St. Petersburg and suburbs. Rupture Between Russia and Germa ny Was Dramatic. St. Petersburg, Aug. 2.—The rup ture of diplomatic relations between Russia and Germany was dramatic. It was midnight Friday when Count Von Pourtales, German Ambassador to Russia formally asked Foreign Minister Sazanoff that Russia cease her mobilization in 12 hours. The al lotted period passed without an an swer. At 7 o’clock Saturday evening Count Pourtales again asked if Rus sia would cease mobilizing her forces. To this the Russian statesman re plied: “Insomuch as the Russian Govern ment has not answered within the time you specified it follows that Rus sia has declined to agree with your demand.” Three times Count Pourtales re peated the German ultimatum and each time the Russian Foreign Min ister gave the same firm negative. Finally Count Pourtales bowed and left the room. He and the members of the staff at once departed from St. Petersburg by way of Finland. According to The Novo Vremya, Count Von Pourtales held the type written texts of two replies from Germany. One was for the presenta tion in the event of Russian accep tance of the German ultimatum and the other in case of its rejection. In his great agitation the German Am bassador presented both replies to M. Sazonoff at the same time. The protection of Russians in countries at war with Rusia has been entrusted to Spain. WAR NEWS TOLD IN BRIEF. The following is a summary of the European war news for the 24 hours ending Saturday midnight: Germany. Germany declared war on Russia at 7:30 o’clock Saturday night, follow ing Russia’s refusal to stop mobil izing in compliance with Germany’s ultimatum. Berlin dispatches say that France’s action in ordering the mobilization of her army forced the Kaiser’s hand. The German Ambas sador at Paris is turning over the German Ambassy to the United States Ambassador, Myron T. Her rick. France. The Central News correspondent in Paris reports that Germany de clared war on France Saturday night. A general mobilization of the French army already had been ordered for Sunday by President Poincare. The mobilization order calls for the re serves of all terms since 1887. Offi cials of the French War Office say the mobilization would be completed at midnight Sunday. This report has not yet been confirmed and another report received in Lonoon from Paris, to which more credit is given, says that the period of Germany’s ultima tum to France has been extended by agreement between the Ambassadors for another forty-eight hours, bring ing it up to Monday noon. Russia. The German Ambassador and the Embassy staff left St. Petersburg for Berlin immediately after handing the declaration of war to the Foreign Minister. The enrollment of the re servists of the Russian army began at 6 o’clock Saturday morning amid scenes of great excitement and pa thos. Throngs of women and children accompanied the men to the enrolling stations and priests blessed the troops as they marched through the streets singing hymns. Great Britain. There is no confirmation yet of an early report that Great Britain, through her Ambassador at Paris, had notified President Poincare of Great Britain’s support of France in any course she may take. Both army and navy, however, are on a war foot ing. The Bank of England has rais ed its discount rate 10 per cent. Con tinental banks have also increased their rates materially. Bank of Eng land notes are being refused at the largest London hotels and restau rants. Italy. The German Ambassador was noti fied that Italy would remain neutral, though perhaps not until the end of the war. Five hundred thousand men are under arms and the fleet has as sumed a defensive position. Italy’s neutrality may mean her withdrawal from the Triple Alliance in the threatened test of strength with the Triple Entente. New York. Germany’s declaration of war is likely to end gold shipments to Eu rope by making the seas unsafe. This will solve one problem o$ American bankers, who have viewed with con cern a drain of gold that since the first of the year has totalled $128,000, 000. Seventy million bushels of wheat has been ordered for export. England alone has contracted for 7, 000,000 bushels a week. The cable of fices in New York are deluged with business, but are handling the situa tion without inconvenience. So far no restrictions have been placed upon outgoing messages by the various foreign Governments involved. No Battles Yet. London, Aug. 3.—All the great Eu ropean powers, except Italy and most of her secondary powers, are mobil izing with all their energy. Mobil ization has not reached a stage where any of the armies have met in battle. Italy, which declared her neutrality, will begin to mobilize officially tomor row, although the process probably is well underway. SAYS CROP FUND IS AVAILABLE, McAdoo Issues a Circular Letter to Banks and Urges Low Rate of Interest. Washington, Aug. 1.—Secretary McAdoo announces that the $34,000, 000 which ho decided a short time ago to deposit with national banks for crop moving purposes will be availa ble upon compliance by the banks of the terms and conditions of the circu lar letter issued and forwarded today to the banks. The money will be deposited in in stalments of either 25 or 50 per cent each, except in such cases as in the judgment of the Secretary will make a departure from this rule desirable. The circular issued by Secretary Mc Adoo reads as follows: “It is understood that such depos its are made to prevent or mitigate the financial tension so common at this period of the year incident to the movement of crops, and that the funds received by the hanks will be used in good faith for this purpose and not for speculative or other trans actions. it is not intended that such funds shaJl be utilized by the depositaries selected to discharge their obliga tions to other banks, such as redis counts or bills payable, but in order that legitimate purposes of the depos it may be accomplished the banks re ceiving same will be expected to ex tend to the banks in smaller towns such accommodations as may be con sistent with sound and conservative principles of banking, and that in all cases the rate of interest charged such banks will be moderate and reasonable. “In other words, since it is im practicable under existing conditions for the Government to extend these deposits to the various smaller towns and cities, the depositaries selected are expected to act as mediums in fur nishing funds to the localities in need of them for the purpose stated of transporting and marketing the crops and of assisting legitimate business. “In apportioning the funds among the banks in each city consideration will be given to the character of bus iness done by the applicant bank and the extent to which it is lending mon ey to its country correspondent banks. “Particular consideration will giv* en to the willingness of the banks re ceiving such deposits to lend to their country correspondent banks at rea sonable rates of interest. The Secre tary is deeply interested in having the Government money distributed in such a way as to enable the ultimate borrower to get it at the lowest pos sible rate of interest.” BIG MEN ONCE HARVESTERS. William Allen White, Senator Bris tow and Governor Hodges W'ork ed in Wheat Fields. Every old-time Kansas man knows what it is to work in the harvest field. Almost every name familiar to the Kansas language has been connected in days past with the Kan sas harvest field. William Allen White, as a stout boy, carried water to the harvesters and shocked wheat. Senator Bris tow worked in the harvest field to pay his way through Baker University. Gov. George H. Hodges used to re gard himself as the champion binder in the old days of the reapep, when wheat was bound by hand. The now dapper Representative Philip Camp bell knows what it is to wear a hick ory shirt, a pair of overalls and a red bandanna handkerchief and to pitch wheat to stackers. Henry Allen, Progressive candidate for Governor, learned to be an orator in using forceful language to the Ijoss of a thrashing machine when Henry was tramping down a straw stack behind one of the old fashioned separators. Ex-Governor Ross Stubbs acquired courage and backbone by standing up for his rights to eat at the “first ta ble” when he was a youngster work ing in the harvest field with grown men. Gen. Fred Funston fought his way through the jungles of Kansas wheat fields to the jungles of Cuba, where he became a warrior instead of a har vester.—Kansas City Dispatch to the Philadelphia Ledger. This State has had enough of poli ticians. We need more statesmen.— Chester News. WHAT IS CONTRABAND? Question Arises In View of Probabil ity That America Will Have to Supply Fighters. Washington, Aug. 1.—A general war in Europe will undoubtedly bring many benefits to the United States. During the struggle, which now seems inevitable, some nation, not a bellig erent, must supply those countries en gaged in war with foodstuffs and clothing. The United States is the only country large enough to supply the demands that will be made. But in this connection the question of contraband must be considered. How far can the United States, a neutral power, go in supplying provis ions and clothing to the belligerent nations? Three hundred years ago Grotius, in discussing contraband, wrote: “They are of the party of the enemy who suppy him what is neces sary in war.” In The Hague confer ence of 1907 this principle was laid down. It is also the principle fol lowed by the United States Supreme Court. in considering wnat is contraband and what is not, three classes of mer chandise arise. The first class con sists of those articles of supplies use ful in war only. These constitute act ual contraband. The second class are those of no use in war. The third class consists of those articles both useful in war and in peace. It has been held by the Supreme Court of the United States that ar ticles of the third class may be con sidered contraband when actually des tined to the military or naval use of a belligerent. The general definition of contraband is certain articles par ticularly necessary to war and bound to an part of the enemy’s territory aftfei the war is known to exist. Upon the declaration of war the belligerent nations must notify all the neutral nations, and each belligerent must then publish a list of articles considered by them as contraband. In the recent Russian-Japanese war Rus sia placed flour on the list of contra band. As will be seen there are nd general rules or laws in internation al usages defining what constitutes contraband. Articles may be contra band in one' war and not contraband in the next. In the Civil War negro slaves were considered contraband. As long as the United States re mains a neutral nation she can ship whatever she pleases to the belliger ent nations, but ships flying the American flag will be subject to search and seizure in some cases. If, for instance, England and Germany become involved, this country may ship articles to Germany, but our ships will run the risk of search by the English ships. Injury to the bell igerent consists in delivering goods to the enemy’s port, and this he is per mitted to prevent, under international law. An American ship or any other neutral ship may be stopped and searched by ships of any of the bell igerents as soon as is leaves territo rial waters bent upon hostile destina tions. MR. WITHERSPOON IS HONEST. Congressman Acted Square and Caused Astonishment. Washington Dispatch. The action of Representative An drew Witherspoon of Meridian, Miss., in refusing to accept his salary for four days’ absence from Washington on private business, has created a furore among the solons on Capitol Hill, many of whom have been in the habit of leaving Washington at will, looking after campaign duties in con nection with renominations to the House or nominations to the Senate without ever suggesting to the ser geant-at-arms that under the law they are not entitled to pay for the time they were absent. Representative Witherspoon refus ed to accept $82.20, which represen ted pay for four days during which he was in Meridian. Discussing his action he said his predecessor, whom he defeated for the nomination, by the way, was absent from his con gressional duties at Washington so often that it became notorious and he used it against him in his cam paign. Some men talk of “throwing” their influence, when that commodity is too light to even waft.—Anderson Intell igencer. NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE. Stops Business For First Time Since 1873. Four Failures Friday. Ger man Vesels Cancel Sailings. New York, Aug. 1.—The New York Sfrvk Exchange, the last big ex change in the world to remain open in the face of a general European war, closed its doors yesterday for the first time since the panic of 1873. The Consolidated Exchange, the Cot ton Exchange and the Curb quickly followed. The flood of selling orders by foreign security holders precipi tated the action. The board of governors decided to close the exchange only when they were brought face to face with these three conditions; first, that the banks refused to guarantee sufficient credit on margin transactions; second, when it was realized that it was impossi ble and ruinous to attempt to absorb the liquidation of the world, and, third, when the big wire houses, which had been unable to reach all their margin customers over night, refused to trade. Four failures we:e announced, two houses being members of the Stock Exchange and two of the Cotton Ex change. The Hamburg-A merican Line and and the North German Lloyd T.ine cancelled all sailings from this port. The mighty Vaterland, which was to sail to-day, was held here and the President Grant was recalled by wireless when 300 miles at sea. Express companies and banks an nounced that no more travelers' checks would be issued and the Post Office Department limited foreign money orders to one $100 order per person. This action affects 30C.C0O Americans living in Europe. The Senate, at the request of Secre tary of the Treasury McAdoo, passed an amendment to the Aldrich-Vree land currency act which virtually throws open to the banks of the coun try $500,000,OOQ in the United States Treasury as emergency currency. PRISON ROMANCE SHATTERED. Sunday School Teacher Who Married Convict Seeks Divorce. Nashville Tennesseean. The final chapter in a shattered ro mance of a Sunday school teacher who married a shelby County con vict in the State prison in the vain hope of reforming him was written in circuit court here when Mrs. Ber tie Cox Holder filed a petition for absolute divorce against W. D. Hold der, at present an inmate of the pen itentiary for the second time. Holder had just completed service of a sentence in the State prison when he was married January 27, 1910, to Mrs. Cox, who while teaching in the prison chapel had taken a great in terest in him. While in Memphis in September, 1911, Holder was arrest ed for receiving stolen property, to which charge he pleaded guilty and received a sentence of five years in the penitentiary. Mrs. Holder seeks a divorce on the ground that her husband is a convict ed felon. Holder was implicated in a series of horse thefts near Somerville about three years ago. The stealing, ac cording to the officers, was done by a regular gang and continued for sever al months. Holder received a term of five years, while his partner was sen tenced for three. Holder, it is said, had been convicted and sentenced to the State prison on a previous charge, but had been pardoned. EUROPE ORDERS WHEAT. Fully 70,000,000 Bushels Already Packed for Export. New York, Aug. 1.—Fully 70,000, 000 bushels of the present crop of wheat have been ordered for export. England alone has contracted to take 7,000,000 bushels a week. With Russia at war England will be unable to get wheat from that coun try and she will need more American grain than she has been getting in or der to supply her demand. Great Britain now has on hand enough wheat to last her only three weeks and her plight will be distressing un less some plan is worked out by which she will be able to get grain from this country. How she is going to get it is the question worrying the American shippers, who are unable to get war risks.
The Smithfield Herald (Smithfield, N.C.)
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Aug. 4, 1914, edition 1
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