Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 August 1914 — JAPS AND ALLIES SHELL TSING TAO [ARTICLE]

JAPS AND ALLIES SHELL TSING TAO

Battleship Settsu Opens Bombardment of Town Held by Germans. ODD RITES PROCEED FIGHT Messenger From Mikado Goes to Shrine of Ise and Informs Ancestor's of Ruler That Hostilities Have Begun. Tokyo, Aug. 25. —The bombardment of Tsing Toa, the fortified seaport of Kiauchau, the jGerman possession in China which Japan has demanded Germany give up, has begun. The battleship Settsu fired the first shot In addition to the Japanese war vessels, British, French and Russian ships are taking part in the blockade of the port. The bombardment of the port Is confirmed in an extra edition of the Yamato. The message published was passed by the censor of the navy department. No details of damage done to the German fort are obtainable. ,

Austria Avoids War. -> Austria has avoided war with Japan by agreeing to dismantle the cruiser Kalserin Elizabeth, now at Tsing Tao. Unanimous approval of the war with Germany, which is caTmly and dispassoinately discussed, summarizes public opinion. The newspapers express regret over the necessity of hostilities, and continue to urge the public to refrain fnom exhibiting resentment toward the Germans in Japan. They print messages of cheer to the army and navy, which they hope will be quickly victorious. An imperial messenger went to the shrines of Ise to inform the spirits of t{ie imperial ancestors of Japan’s declaration of war. Communication between Japan and China has been severed for 24 hours. It is believed that the cable between Shanghai and Nagasaki has been cut. Germans Prepare Defense. Tsing Tao, China, Aug. 25.—The cipher message from Emperor William addressed to the Tsing Tao garrison, jn which they were called upon to defend the position to the uttermost, was read aloud at roll call. It was received stoically.

The Germans have dynamited all the tall structures which might be of any assistance to an attacking fleet in giving them sighting points. They have also destroyed the railroad bridge at the boundary of their leased territory and they have razed the Chinese villages within the territory. The ..inhabitants of these villages have been partially compensated. British Troops to Help. Peking, Aug. 25. —Up to the present time only British regiments have received orders to co-operate with the Japanese in the operations against J\iauch»u on the lard side. The French, however, are expecting orders to assist the British. There will probably not be more than two or three regiments from each nation.

Belgium’s Losses Are 40,000. London, Aug. 25—The Ostend correspondent of the Chronicle says that Belgium’s losses so far are estimated at 40,000 killed. No estimate of the appalling property loss has been hazarded by the officials. Industry everywhere is at a standstill, says the correspondent