Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 August 1914 — GERMAN SHIPS ROUT ENEMIES IN SEA BATTLES [ARTICLE]

GERMAN SHIPS ROUT ENEMIES IN SEA BATTLES

Squadrons of Czar, King and Kaiser Clash. BELGIUM KING GOES TO WAR V-—' • ■ 1 Little Kingdom Refuses to Permit Passage of German Troops—Russians, French and Germans Cross Frontier. Paris Aug. 4.—German troops have seized Arion, Belgium. Brussels, Aug. 4—The burgomaster of Antwerp announced that the Germans had invaded Limburg, Holland, and that the province had been placed under martial law, Limburg has a population of nearly a quarter of a million. The people of the Dutch kingdom, resolved to go to any extremity, are said to be opening the dykes and flooding the country, whldh would make the passage of an army impossible. ■ Brussels, Aug. 4.—lt was officially announced that France had undertaken, in the event of hostilities, te fulfill her obligations to preserve Belgian neutrality. The Belgian cabinet has decided not to appeal to the powers as yet, but w’lll await developments.

Berlin, Aug. 4.—Germany now is on Russian Poland soil. Border troops from Lubllnltz entered the enemy's country, occupying the cities of Czenstochowa, Bendzln and Kalisz. There was little resistance. Czenstochowa is a city of some fifty thousand inhabitants, situated on the River Waethe, near the Silesian frontier. Bendzln' is a coal and zinc mining center. It has a population of slightly over twenty thousand, about half of whom are Jews. Kalisz, population of 20,000 is engaged in various manufactures. London, Aug. 4—News of the attempted assassination of the German crown prince was brought by Lord Winterton,l who arrived in this city from Germany. He said that when he reached the frontier an official told the passengers that the prince’s life had been attempted and that he was authorized to search the train and examine all passengers. Berlin, Aug. 4. —Rumors are circulated here that German destroyers have been engaged in the North sea. The rumors say they were attacked by British craft and "gave a good account of themselves.” There is no official confirmation. Rotterdam, Aug. 4—A force of Germans entered Holland at Delfyyl, according to an unconfirmed report here. St. Petersburg, Aug. 4 —The advance of the Russian army across the German frontier is progressing at several points simultaneously. A German customs house lias been raided by Cossacks and at Edythuhnen a brisk engagement was fought, the Russians driving back the German column and occupying the town, which is now held by a column of artillery with Infantry supports.

London, Aug. 4.—it is stated on high authority that heavy firing has been proceeding for some time in the North sea. No details are available, but it is considered likely that a great naval battle is in progress, Athens, Aug. 4—Word reached here that a fleet of warships, presumably French, has been seen in the Mediterranean near the lonian sea. It is believed here that a raid may be intended on the Austrian naval base at Pola near Trieste. A squadron of French warships passed eastward through the Straits of Gibraltar last Friday and has not since been reported. Invasion of France Confirmed. Paris, Aug. 4.—German invasion of France near Cirey was confirmed in an official announcement. Immediately alter publication of the announcement the ministers were called in council at the Elysee. The foreign office was informed that the Swiss government had decided to proceed to a general mobilization with a view of defending the Integrity of Switzerland ( »nd guarding her neutrality. Eight Warships Reported Sunk. London, Aug. 4. —A news ticker service says that in a naval battle between the German and British squadrons in the North sea six German warships were sunk and Great Britain lost two. The admiralty has no confirmation of such a report. Berlin Aug. 4. —The German emperor sent orders to the German ambassador in Paris to demand his passports. Rome, Aug. 4. —Italy ordered its

army mobilized. It was stated that the mobilization was a precautionary measure An Attack on Paris Frustrated. Paris, Aug. 4. —The first attempted aerial attack on Paris was frustrated when four German military aeroplanes mossed the frontier, flying In the dire* tion of this capital, aid were driven back by the Rheims air squadron. The Rheims telegram says that wireless messages fully confirm reports of tbe aerial sortie. Belgium Defies Kaiser. Brussels, Aug. 4, —The Belglaa government has formally notified France that under existing circumstances she believes she needs to make no appeal to the powers guaranteeing her neutrality. Germany invaded Belgium and King Albert left for the front to take command of the Belgian troops which will oppose the advance of th 6 German forces. i The king will return and preside at a special session of parliament at which he will make an important announcement. It is believed here the announcement will be the formal declaration of war against Germany. Sought to Invade Belgium. The kaiser’s demand that Belgium permit the passage through her territory of the German troops met flat defiance at the hands of King Albert. Germany has notified Belgium that she would treat her as an enemy unless the Belgians consented to maintain an attitude of friendly neutrality and demanded an answer to the ultimatum within tw-elve hours. Belgium replied that any attack upon her neutrality would be a flagrant violation of the rights of nations and that she was prepared to resist aggression by every rneaijs in her power. Germans Cross Border. As soon as this pronunciamento reached the German lines the invasion of c Belgium by the kaiser’s forces began. It is reported they have seized the Belgian town of Arion and entered the village of Saurce half a mile from the border, where they have established military headquarters an<f requisitioned all horses for military purposes. The newspaper Etoile Beige reports the German tFoops also have reached Vise, on the River Meuse, only 12 miles northeast of Liege, Belgium.

Martial law has been proclaimed throughout the kingdom and all business is suspended. All wire communication between Belgium, and Germany has been severed. Ihe most striking feature of the German ultimatum was that Belgium should place at the. disposition of the German army the forts of Namur. Following Belgium's refusal to accept this ultimatum, another German note, couched in more forceful language, was handed to the Belgium ambassador. Negotiations in consideration of the latter note are now proceeding. Invasion of France Means War. Paris, Aug. 4.—The invasion of French territory by German troops is regarded in official circles here as making war between the two countries start automatically without a formal declaration. Land and Sea Forces Clash. Berlin. Aug. 4. —The war between Germany and Russia was opened by both the land and sea forces of the kaiser. In return, Russian troops invaded Germany, but little fighting has taken place on German soil. The first invasion of Russia began when the first battalion of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth infantry, with a machine gun company, occupied Kalisz in Russian Poland, after having made a rapid advance from OstroWo, Prussian Poland. A sharp skirmish took place when the Germans encountered the Russian frontier' guards. Following Germany’s initial movement upon the czar’s soil came reports of other skirmishes. Battle Looked For. Skirmishes on the border have been reported, but it is not thought the casualties were heavy, as the fighting was between small detachments of the border guard of Germany and the Cossacks. A battle is expected when the Rus sian troops reach Kalisz. ( The general direction from which reports of fighting come indicates that the first great battle of the struggle between Germany and Russia will be fought Tn northwestern Prussia.

Two Naval Battles. While her army was busy encroaching upon Russian territory and fighting back the invading army of the czar, Germany’s navy began the naval conflict by bombarding the harbor at Libau, on the 1 Baltic. The cruiser Augsbutg sent the following report to Berlin by wireless: “Am bombarding naval harbor at Libau and am engaged with the enemy’s cruiser. The naval port of Libau is in flames.” The army of the czar is also reported here to have invaded Austria and to be moving against Lemberg, a city of considerable importance. Count von Pourtales, German ambassador to Russia, left St. Petersburg with his staff and members of the Bavarian legation for Berlin. Czar Addresses Army. St. Petersburg, Aug. 4.—Grand Duke Nicholas Nicholaievitch has been appointed commander-in-chief of the Rus-

sian army, dissipating reports that the czar would take command in person. A crowd of 100,000 persons gathered at the winter palace to attend'the special prayer service palled by Czar Nicholas. “Won’t Make Peace Offer.” The emperor addressed the representatives of the army and navy in a brief speech expressing the calm dignity with which Russia had received the declaration of war and the confidence of the nation that the war would be carried to the desired end. The czar said; “I hereby declare solemnly that I will not make peace while a single soldier of the enemy remains on Russian soil.” • His majesty concluded with words of encouragement to the army and by invoking a blessing on their efforts.