LONDON, Aug. 16—The Teutons are preparing to invade
the Baltic nations for the purpose of forcing a passageway for
the transportation of munitions of war to Turkey, whose sup
plies are becoming perilously low. A German army corps has
been concentrated at the junction of Hungary, Roumania and
Serbia, and a great offensive movement is expected.
ROME, Aug. 16—The three neutral Balkan nations, Bul
garia, Greece and Roumania are considerably worried over the
situation developing along the Serbian border. It has been
learned’ that Germany has sent an army corps to reinforce the
Austrians, and that an attempt to cross Serbia and thus get
muitions of war into Turkey is about to be made. The three
nations concerned feel that their own neutrality is likely to be
violated by the Teutons, and that steps should be taken to pre
serve them from such an eventuality.
LONDON, Aug. 16—It is beginning to be felt that the situ
tion in the Balkans is far from being favorable to the allies.
The newspapers and semi-official journals are taking a pessimis
tic view of the conditions there as effecting the hopes of Great
Britain. France and Russia, and almost all of them state that
the outlook is decidelv gloomy. Politics among the Balkan
nations, coupled with acute territorial jealousies seem to pre
vent any briging together of the various factions involved.
The demands of Bulgaria, who feels that the country ceded to
her at the end of the Balkan war is hers by right of nationality.
The national assemblies of Serbia and Greece convene
today, and the diplomatic negotiations now pending between
the various countries will soon be brought to a head. The de
mands of Bulgaria could be partly met, as Serbia is willing to
compromise, but not willing to give everything that her neigh
bor asks. Greece it is confidently expected will reject the
Bulgarian contentions in toto. The possible course of the
new Greek cabinet is the source of obsorbing interest, while
it is known, that Venizelos, the most popular and powerful of
the Greek statesmen favors participation in the war on the
sides of the allies, King Constantine seems to be just as deter
mined that his country will preserve a strict neptrality.
LONDON, Aug. 16—The situation of the fighting in Poland
and the Baltic provinces is still holding the attention of the mili
tary observers, and it is becoming more and more apparent that
the Austro-German allies have not completed their task in Rus
sia for they are fighting desperately to inflict further defeats
upon the armies of the Czar and to force them back. It is
thought that an advance on Petrograd may even be contem
plated by the German generals. General Von Hindenberg
has engaged the Russian soldiers west of the Dvina river and a
heavy fight is in progress in an effort of the Teutons to drive
the Muscovites across the Dvina eastward towards Petrograd.
The Russian line is holding firmly, and so far have been able to
keep the Germans on the west side of the river.
The other zone of interest m the eastern front is the near
approach of the Bavarian troops under Prince Leopold to the
new Brest-Litovsk line of defense. The fighting here is pro
gressing without interruption and the Germans are making con
siderable progress having captured villages today within r. flirty
miles of the inner fortifications of Brest-Litovsk. . Von Maeken
sen is driving at one side of this line while the Bavarians are
attacking from the south. The Berlin war office issued an offi
cial statement this morning asserting that Mackensen had oc
cupied Giale and Slawatyze, and Leopold’s Bavarians had' cap
tured the towns of Lescyce and Miedzyrzee.
BUCHAREST, Aug. 16—Agents representing the govern
ments of Austria and Hungary have been busy of late along
the Roumanian border purchasing all the food supplies possible,
as well as other articles, which are in demand because of the
shortage caused by the war. The Roumania government in
order to retain as much of these food supplies as possible with
in its own border passed an export tax heavily burdening wheat,
corn, hay, flax, peas and beans, when consigned out of the coun
try. The export tax has increased the price of these, articles
three fold to the Austro-German buyers, but big sales continue
to be made.
PETROGRAD, Aug. 16—The military situation is viewed
optimistically by the Russian general staff who do not fear that
the Germans will be able to progress much farther against the
Russian defenses. This optimism of the staff has been increas
ed since it was learned that the armies of the Czar had checked
the Teuton advance at the river crossing just east of Siedlce, on
the Lukow front. The Germans lost hundreds of prisoners at
this point and also many killed and wounded. The weakness
of the German flanks has been exposed and all fear that the
battling army in the center will be surrounded and lost, 1ms
been done away with.
PARIS, Aug 16—The French official statement issued this
morning does not throw much light upon the operations along
the western battle line. The only, activity is reported along
the Verdun St. Miliiel line, where the French claim the capture
of a mile of German trenches, many prisoners and machine
guns being taken.
LONDON, Aug. 17—The British transport Royal Edward,
while carrying troops to the Gallipoli peninsula, was torpedoed
and sunk by a German submarine in the Aegean Sea today.
The ship sank almost immediately, and while full infonnation
is not available, the admiralty are of the opinion that five hun
dred lives were lost, most of whom were soldiers.
LONDON, Aug. 17—The transport Royal Edward, which
was torpedoed and sunk with a load of British troops bound for
the Dardanelles was eleven thousand tons. The ship was owned
by the Canadian Northern Steamship Company and was chart
ered by the government. The loss of life was underestimated
at first, and it is now believed that the total number of dead
will reach one thousand.
ATHENS, Aug. 17—King Constantine who favors contin
ued neutrality in the present conflict accepted the resignation
of the Gounris cabinet yesterday when the parliament convened.
The situation in government circles is acute as Venizelos, an
open advocate of participation in the war, should be the next
premier, if the wishes of the people at the last election are to be
followed. The king’s opposition to the war is intense and re
alizing the attitude of Venizelos, he has nevertheless invited
him to form a cabinet. Venizelos has expressed his belief that
Greece should participate in the war when the proper time
came. >'*- ! ’
BERLIN, Aug. 17—One of the outlying forts of Kovno,
south of the main fortifications was captured by the Germans in
a grand assault today. The capture of this fort makes the re
mainder of the Russian position in this section difficult to hold,
and simplifies the task of the Austro-German armies. The cap
tured fort resisted sturbbornly, but the valor of the Germans
overcame all obstacles, and when the garrison surrendered they
turned' over to their captors two hundred and forty cannon.
Forty-five hundred prisoners were taken.
The fighting near Warsaw still continues and the losses on
both sides are heavy, a continual stream of wounded coming
back to the German base hospitals. The forts of Nova George
vsk are the scene of the most desperate battling at present, and
yesterday after being subjected to a tremndous artillery bom
bardment, three of the outer forts capitulated to the Teutons.
LONDON, Aug. 18—A flotilla of Zeppelin airships raided'
the outskirts of London last night and dropped many bombs.
Ten persons were killed and thirty-six wounded. All of the
person killed or wounded were non-combatnants, many of them
being women and children. The same fleet of air vessels flew
over the eastern coast of England, and bombarded the coast
towns. The property damage was infinitesimal.
PETROGRAD, Aug. 18—German aeroplanes are persist
ently bombarding Vilna, fifty miles east of Kovno. The possi
bility that Vilna may be captured has been foreseen by the
Russians and preparations have been made to evacuate the city
if such action becomes necessary.
AMESTERDAM, Aug. 18—The Handelsbald, a newspaper
of this city says today that a detachment of Dutch troops open
ed fire on a fleet of German Zeppelins which was flying over
Dutch territory. The matter is likely to have grave conse
quences if true, as it may be looked' upon as an act of war by
the Berlin war office.
BERLIN, Aug. 18—The German official statement issued
this morning announces that the Teutons have succeeded in
capturing the entire string of forts constituting the fortress of
Kovno. The last of the inner fortifications were taken by a
grand assault, in which the Teutons advanced in an irresistable
rush following a terrible artillery fire from huge howitzers and
big guns which tore great holes in the masonary of the forts.
And undertennined amount of war materials were also taken.
The Russias have valiantly defended their positions for days,
fighting resperately to retain their positions, and refusing to
surrender even when annihilation stared them in the face.
The Russians stood by their guns until the last, and as long as
an officer remained alive they continued to fight. Four hun
dred cannon were taken.
LONDON, Aug. 18—Great Britain and France will pro
claim cotton to be contraband of war tomorrow night. This
has been urgeutlv advocated for some time owing to the use of
cotton in making explosives.
LONDON, Aug. 19—It is reported here this morning that
the White Star liner Arabic has been torpedoed and sunk by a
German submarine. The report has not been confirmed as yet,
but the officials of the company express their belief in the
rumor. The Arabic sailed from Liverpool to New York yes
terday.
LONDON, Aug. 19—The report of the sinking of the
Arabic has been confirmed'. The big vessel was held up by a
submarine off Fastnet and the passengers and crew given time
to take to the small boats before the torpedoes were fired. All
of the passengers and crew were saved.
LONDON, Aug. 19—The White Star liner Arabic was tor
pedoed by a German submarine at 9:15 this morning. The ship
sunk eleven minutes after the torpedo struck. She carried 170
second class passengers for New York, and no first class. The
crew numbered 240, making a total of 410 on board. As far as
is known now everybody on the ship was saved'.
QUEENSTON, Aug. 19—Word has reached here that many
lives were lost on the Arabic. The worst is feared here as the
people of this city remember the Lusitania and do not expect
that the passengers on the Arabic were given any more con
sideration than the thousand dead of the Cunard liner. Tele
graphic advices have been received here, which although not
official, have led to the belief that there was great loss of life
on the Arabic.
LONDON, Aug. 19—Later advices received concerning
the torpedoing of the Arabic contradict the earlier reports in
several important particulars. It is now stated on the au
thority of the surviors that the Arabic was torpedoed without
warning, and that 48 lives were lost. There wTere 423 on the
boat including passengers and crew, and but 375 have so far
been accounted for. The boat sank -within ten or twelve min
utes after being struck, and the crew worked with the greatest
heroism putting the passengers into life boats, and everything
was expeditious as possible considering the strain of the situa
tion, it being certain that the boat was sinking at the time.
TheArabic was but fifty miles from Queenstown when torpedo
ed by the German submarine. The sunken ship was 15,S00
gross tons and was 600 feet long.
PARIS, Aug. 19—The Russian embasyy announced today
that advices had been received from Petrograd to the effect that
all men of the class of 1916 had been called to the colors, no
exemptions are allowed for any purpose whatever. It is fig
ured that this will add over a million men to the armies of the
Czar.
ATHENS, Aug. 19—All is activity here owing to the ses
sions of parliament and the efforts being made by the foreign
diplomats to influence the government one way or the other in
the present European conflict. The king received the British
minister today and held' a long and presumably important con
ference with him. After listening to the English diplomat
King Constantine expressed a desire to consult with the Rus
sian ambassador who was immediately sent for. Premier
Venizelos visited all of the entnte ministers and held long con
versations with them. Nothing can be learned from any of the
parties concerned about their deliberations, but it is felt that
Greece will assist the allies if proper arrangements can be made.
The question of the Dardanelles will be discussed and' its prob
able disposition in the event of a Turkish defeat settled upon.
LONDON, Aug. 21—The Russian government is seriously
considering the removal of the capital from Petrograd to Mos
cow7. The advancing Germans in the Baltic provinces together
w7ith the nearness of Von Buelow’s cavalry have raised
doubts in the minds of the general staff as to whether or not
the armies of the Czar will be able to check the invaders. The
flanking movement now being undertaken by Mackensen is as
suming threatening proportions and may any day result in the
abandonment of the Brest-Litovsk line of defense. Conceding
that Warsaw might be lost, the Russian plans had contemplated
a new line with Brest-Litovsk as the pivot, but the Teutons
have already pentrated the outer positions of that fortress and
Mackensen is slowly but surely getting around in the rear of it.
Fierce fighting continues along' the front the center of
which is running from Ossowetz to Brest-Litovsk. The rail
road has been cut north of Bielsk and a short distance south of
Bialystok, but the Russian line has not been broken and the
fighting is under way with both sides losing heavily and daily
expending tremendpus amounts in ammunition.
ROME, Aug. 21—Indications are inreasing that a rupture
betweeu Italy and Turkey is imminent. Turkey has refused to
allow Italian subjects in Turkey to return home, and'the situa
tion in Tripoli is hardly satisfactory to the Italian authorities
who feel that Turkish agents are endeavoring to stir up trouble
there. It is felt that a declaration of war by Italy cannot now
be long delayed, and in that event Italy will send several hun
dred thousand of her surplus troops to aid the allies in the
fighting on the Gallipoli peninsula.
ROME, Aug. 21—The Italian government has sent a vir
tual ultimatum to Turkey, and it is now believed that the mes
sage has been so worded that Turkey will refuse the Italian
demands, with the result that Italy will be forced to declare
war on the Ottoman empire. The increasing irritation be
tween the two countries has reached' the breaking point and
Turkey has shown no inclination to respect the rights of Ital
ians in Turkey despite the repeated protests of the government
in Rome.
LUTE TELEGRAPHIC NEWS NOTES
A Record of the Principal Happenings of the World
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1G—Secretary
of the Navy Daniels has ordered the
battleships. New Hampshire, New
York and Louisiana, to proceed at
once to Vera Cruz. All the three ships
are in the Gulf of Mexico within a
short steaming distance of the Mexi
can sea port.
BROWNSVILLE, Aug. 1G—A detach
ment of United States cavalry station
ed at the Mexican border near here,
was fired upon from an ambush on the
Mexican side last night. The fray oc
curred near Progresso, and the Mexi
can fire was returned by the cavalry.
There were no casulaties among the
Americans, and it has not been learn
ed whether any Mexicans were in
jured.
NOGALES, Aug. 16—Severe fighting
between the armies of General Villa
and Carranza is progressing about four
miles outside the city of Nogales in
the province of Sonora. The Ameri
can soldiers guarding the boundary
have closed it to passage at this point
because of the fighting. No details
of the battle have been received here
as yet, although at the international
boundary heavy firing can be plainly
heard, and artillery is being employed.
GAVELSTON, Aug. 16—A furious
gale is blowing here resembling the
terrific storm that swept over this city
a few years ago with enormous losses
in human life and property. So far
the sea wall is holding, but much
alarm is being manifested by the citi
zens over the situation, and prepara
tions are being made to leave at a
momnets notice. So far there has j
been no property loss because of the •
storm, but last night over on thousand
people refused to sleep at home and
passed the night in the Santa Fe
depot.
CHICAGO, Aug. 17—General John i
Charles Black, an American lawyer,
soldier and statesman died here today
aged 76. He served with distinction
throughout the civil war on the Union
side, was severely wounded in service
and brevetted Brigadier-General. Af
ter the war he was elected Congress
manat large from Illinois, and was ap
pointed Commissioner of Pensions by
resident Cleveland during the latter's
first term and United States Attorney
for the northern district of Illinois
during Cleveland’s second term. Black
also served a term as Commander-In
Chief of the G. A. R.
BROWNSVILLE, Aug. 17—The situ
ation along the international boundary
is increasingly alarming, although so
far there has been no systematic at
tempt at an invasion of Texas, all the
fighting being in the nature of guerilla
attacks. The residents are taking
time by the forelock, and moving away
from the border into places of safety.
At many places thieves are active at
night but the border patrol is very
strict and the troops are constantly
on watch resulting in sporadis firing
at mysterious shapes, which is some
times returned from the Mexican side.
There has not been any thing in the
nature of an attack on the American
troops made so far.
DENVER, Aug. 17—Today the State
Supreme Court issued a writ prohibit
ing Judge Granby Hillyer from presid
ing at any future trials of persons
accused of crimes connected with the
disorders of the recent coal strike.
The writ was granted at the prayer
of the United Mine Workers who com
plained that Hillyer had been an at
torney for the coal companies before
his elvation to the bench and was
therefore prejudiced and unfit to pre
side over the coal disputes. The court
also heard evidence concerning the
trial of Lawson, whose conviction
was not regular as there were indica
tions of unfairness in the conduct of
trial. The court granted a supersed
eas in the Lawson case and will hear
an appeal. The decision was rece
ived with gratification and elation by
the officials of the union who have
contended all long that the miners
were not getting a fair deal from the
court.
VICTORIA, Aug. 18—Postmaster
Bishop, who was purser of the steamer
Islander, when she was wrecked in
Southeastern Alaska several years ago,
is authority for the statement that she
only had $4,700 in gold aboard when
she usnk. At the present time there
are two expeditions at work with sub
marine and other underwater devices
seeking the Islander’s treasure, which
is reported to amount to several hun
dred thousand dollars.
SEATTLE, Aug 18—Isaac Guggen
heim, one of the famous firm of Gug
genheim brothers so largely interested
in mining industries throughout the
United States is a visitor in this city.
Mr. Guggenheim expressed himself as
well pleased with the outlook for his
companies in Alaska, and was extra
vagant in prasing the management of
R. W. Baxter, who looks after the in
terests of the Alaska Syndicate in the
north. He expressed his regrets at
not being able to take a trip to Alaska
this summer, and said that he con
templated visiting the great norhern
territory as soon he could, and that
nothing but pressure of busines pre
vented him from making the trip at
this time.
DALLAS, Aug 18—The huncane
which has been sweeping the coast
section of Texas has traveled into the
interior and leaving a trail of death
and devastation in its wake. As far
as the interior cities are coneerened
the present storm is as destructive as
the great hurricane of 1900 which de
molished Galveston and killed thous
ands of people. Figures are so far not
complete to show the damage done by
the present storm, but it is known that
scores, at least have perished, be
sides enormous property being des
troyed. Eighteen soldiers have been
killed by the elements at Texas City,
the regular army camp close to Gal
veston. There are six dead at La
Porte, eight at Morgan's Point and
three at Sylvan Beach.
GAVELSTON, Aug. 18—Conditions
in this city due to the great storm that
has been ravaging this region are
rapidly growing worse. The water
system has been disabled and there is
no drinking water available. The
car companies have not been operating
for the past two days, and have suf
fered a large amount of damage to
their rolling stock, while the injury
to the road bed .cannot be estimated
until the waters recede. The electric
lighting and gas concerns have also
been totally disabled so that at night
the city is in inky darkness. There is
much suffering prevalent owing to the
absence of pure water. Three hun
dred feet of the causeway has been
destroyed at Port Arthur. In that
town three men and one woman have
perished, and practically the entire
population is homeless. The dam
age at Port Arthur is estimated at
$200,000,000.
HOUSTON, Aug. 18—As far as can
be learned this morning the hurricane
which swept over this city caused only
one death. The property damage here
is enormous and is variously estimated
from two five million dollars. Every
building in the city, with no exceptions
has been more less damaged by the
elements, and some of them have been
totally demolished. There are five
thousand refugees here from Galves
ton, adding to the difficulty of afford
ing relief to the homeless. These
refugees left Galveston in advance of
the storm after the weather bureau
had posted its warnings.
GALVESTON, Aug. 18—The army
camp at Fort Crockett has been total
ly obliterated by the fierece storm rag
mg m leiUi aunuugu uiere nu neen
no lives among the aoldUMa All ani
mals in the fort have been drowned,
not a single horse escaping. The
United States transport McClellan
which broke adrift from her moorings
the first day of the storm has gone
aground on Pelican Island. The
transport Poe has also been severely
damaged. This city has been placed
under martial law, and while no one
knows the exact truth persistent ru
mors are being circulated that the
loss of life here has been heavy.
NEW YORK, Aug. lft—'The body of
Leo Prank arrived here this morning
from Georgia. The body was met at
the depot by Prank’s wife and rela
tives as well as promient Hebrews
from all over the city A large crowd
was present as the casket was car
ried through the station to the hearse
in waiting, but no demonstration oc
curred. The funeral will take place
tomorrow.
MESSINA. Aug. 1ft—The 'Stroboli
volcano is erupting heavily and the
people are fleeing from the island In
nil available boats. The crops, con
sisting of mostly cotton, wine, figs and
other fruits are in danger of being en
tirely destroyed. The island is small
consisting mostly of the volcano Itself
which rises to a height of 3,000 feet,
and is in more or less constant «rup
tion.
WASHINGTIN, Aug. 19—Attorney
General Gregory reported to the prsesi
dent today that the Investigation con
ducted by his department Into the
charges of undue aclvity on the part of
German agents In this country In the
line of promoting Industrial disorders
in ammunition factories, and other
matters, had disclosed nothing upon
which the department could take any
action against anyone in particular.
Mr. Gregory says that the charges
and the evidence are too weak to base
any prosecutions upon, and recom
mends that matter be dismissed.
HOME, Aug. 19—Cardinal Vanutelll,
the dean of the sacred college died
here last night Vannuteelli was eue
of the most famous of the cardinals
and in his position at bead of the col
lege wielded considerable influence In
shaping the policies of the Vatican.
The deceased has been 111 for some
time and his death was expected.
The Pope lias not as yet determined
upon his successor.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 20—President
Wilson left the White House today
a*d motored to Philadelphia. The
president has been haring some trou
ble with his eyes and will ;onsult one
of the leading occuiists of Philadel
phia in regard to the same before te
turning here.
ST. LOUIS, Aug. 21—The river Is
still rising and the rain shows no signs
of letting up. Nine deaths have so
far been reported because • of the
floods. Two others are missing. The
property loss is now In the millions
and is still increasing, and unless the
floods begin to recede shortly the In
dustries of this city will be badly
crippled. The traction companies
have been obliged to discontinue some
of their suburban lines. Many refu
gees are coming into the city proper
and sleeping In the office buildings
and hotels.
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 21—‘Abe
Ruef, the former political boss of this
city, who was sentenced to a long
term at San Quentin has been paroled
from the penitentiary.
HOUSTON, Aug. 21—From the
latest figures obtainable it is estimated
that the. known dead as a result of the
storm is 101. The missing are In
creasing in number hourly and have
reached a total of 158. The dead In
the city and island of Galveston is
under twenty. The work of relief to
the stricken and homeless people Is
proceeding with all posaible speed and
the state has appointed relief Com
mittees to superintend the work.
HOUSTON, Aug. 21—The total
known dead according to the list pre
pared by the relief committee ap
pointed by the governor is now placed'
at 116. In Gavelston, the konwn dead
are thirteen. Most of the casualties
occurred in the cities and towsn along
the coast.
GALVESTON, Aug. 21—There are
eight deaths in this city from the re
cent tremendous storms which swept
over this section of the coastal region.
Close to Galveston in other portions
of the bay there are 25 more dead.
The villages on both sides of the bay
are appealing for aid as in every case
almost ail the buildings in the Bea
shore towns has been absolutely
destroyed. All that Is humanly possi
ble is being done to relieve the suf
fering and supplies are being rapidly
rushed to all the communities. Blan
kets and food stuffs are most In de
mand.
AUSTIN, Aug. 21—The governor of
Texas says that the loss of life due to
the terrible storm which ravaged the
costal region will not exceed three
hundred in all. He also said that the
estimates of damage done were great
ly exaggerated and he did not think
the total amount would reach one half
the sum published in the papers. The
work of relief is progressing rapidly
and the varioua committees are work
ing in conjunction, everybody being' >
fed and clothed.