Evening public ledger. (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, September 25, 1914, Night Extra, Image 1

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NIGHT
EXTRA
EVENING
LEDGER
WWW1HlIJlIWillWJHWIWJlWlliWWWiWI MKftl
NIGHT
EXTRA
VOL. I NO. 11
PHILADELPHIA, If HID AY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1914.
PRICE ONE CENT
LIGHT ON BIPARTISAN
"DEALS" DUE TODAY
IN PENROSE PROBE
Reorganization Democrats
Point to Affiliations Be
tween Old Guard and
Liquor Ring of Machine.
Bipartisan deals between the Old
Guard Democrats rtml the Republican
Organization In Philadelphia through n
communion of interests In the "liquor
ring" arc expected to bo brought to
light before tho Senate Commltteo on
Privileges and Elections when that
committee meets In AVnshlngton today
to decide upon an Investigation of Sen
ator Penrose's primary campaign "slush
fund."
neolganlzcrs point out that the Old
Guard Democratic City Committee, which
frequently has been a party to biparti
san deal?, If hound to the Republican
Organization and tho liquor Interests by
finnnclnl and marriage ties through Its
chairman, n. Gordon Bromley.
Ibomloy Is sccrctnry and treasurer of
the Continental Droning Company, at
21st street and Washington avenue.
John Gardiner, president of the brew
ery, Is his brother-in-law. Gardiner
lives at 1500 Pine street, In tho 17th
division of tho Soventh Ward, and wns
enrolled at the last election as a Re
publican. Gardiner, according to reports, has
been called to appear ns a witness be
fore the Senato Committee as the presi
dent of the Pennsylvania Brewers' As
sociation. Tho reports state that the
committee has also called Charles F.
Ettla who manages the mahogany-furnished
offices of tho Pennsylvania Brew
eia' Association nt 150-1 Land Title Build
ing, and Noll Bonner, of 22d and Car
renter streets, president of tho Penn
sylvania Federation of Liquor Dealers.
Bonner wns associated with the old
Donnelly-Ryan organization 10 years
ago, and later became an Independent
Democrat. La&t spring he icturned to
the Old Guard fold. Immediately after
ine primaries no announced that hr
Mas a Itcpubllcan. and that he would
support Senator Penrose and the Re
publican ticket. Kttla has always beer.
b "liquor man" in politics.
It has been througn the Influence of
Bromley, Its chairman, nnd his connec
tions with a Republican, a "liquor man"
and a former Democr.it, that the Dcmo
rratlc City Committee has obeyed the
dictates of the liquor Interests by re
fusing to support tho Demociatlc party
of tho State in Its local option pledge
Bromley nnd Vance C. McCormlck. the
Democratic candidate for Governor on
the platform which the organization
hraded by Bromley refused to Indorse.
ere delegates to the last Democratic
National Convention and voted together
for Piesldent Wilson. They both worked
to swing Pennsylvania In line for W1I-
"SLUSH" INQUIRY PROBABLE
BEFORE THE FALL ELECTION
Testimony in SulHvnn Case to Open
Door on Penrose Expenditures.
rnoi A Burr conntsroNnnxT.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25,-Dr. Carl S.
Vroomau, Assistant Secretary of Agri
culture, wns the, only witness who ap
peared today nt the executive session of
the Senate Commltteo on Privileges nnd
Elections, which has under consideration
tho Norrls resolution providing for nn
Investigation by tho committee of the
senatorial primaries In Pennsylvania and
Illinois. Doctor Vrooman Is from Illinois
nnd his testimony related to the expendi
tures of Roger C. Sullivan.
I'cnnsylvanlnns who nro familiar with
the manner In which Senator Penrose's
campaign for renomlnatlon waB conducted
will appear before tho committee at it
o'clock tomorrow. Senator Kern, Chair
man nf Mm nnmmlltep. rpfllpo.l tn reveal
the Identity of the Pennsylvania wit
nesses.
Doctor Vrooman's testimony todny Is
said to havo Increased tho demand for
the Investigation asked for by Senator
Norrls. While the commltteo met behind
closed doors nnd refused to discuss tho
naturo of tho testimony given by Do.-tor
Vrooman, tho Evening Lnnocn la In
formed that the Noirls resolution will bo
favorably reported to the Senate. Every
effort will be made by Senator Norrls nnd
other advocates of the resolution to hart
the investigation conducted before tlvj
November election.
WILSON TURNS DOWN
JERSEY DEMOCRATS'
SECOND TERM BOOST
President Says Such Action
Would Take Advantage
of Present Extraordinary
Situation for Personal Gain
1,500,000 RUSSIANS
ROUT GERMANS ON
PRUSSIAN BORDER
Great Battle Impends as
Russians, Resuming Offen
sive, Advance From Polish
Frontier Along 150-Mile
Line.
W lien McCormlck became n candidate
I u Vcrnor' 1,owover, on a platform of
which local option was a principal plank,
Bromley broke wlt'i McCormlck because
of bis financial' nnd other connections
with the brewery Interests, and the Dem
ocratic City Committee, under Bromlev's
lfadersliip, failed to Indorse the Denio
cnitic State platform because it favored
local option.
Political leaders who are watching tho
effort being made for a Senate Investi
gation of Senator Penrose's campaign
funds, today recalled Bromley's views on
the liquor question, expressed by the
Democratic City Committee chairman
three weeks after tho primary election.
At lliat time Bromley, In answer to a
question legaidlng tho probable attitude
of the City Committee toward tho Demo
cratic State platform, called local option
"nn attack upon personal liberty." He
nltl tint lit did not know the views of
tho members of the Democratic City
C.iniinlttee, but that this was his personal
view.
RIDICULES PENROSE'S
FAILURE TO MEET CHARGES
Palmer Shows Weakness of Attempt
ed Answer to Indictment.
CORIIY, Pa., Sept. 25. Congressman A.
Mitche.l J'almer, candidate for tho
I'nlted States Senate, stopped here Just
long enough this morning to ridicule the
weak reply made by Senator Penrose to
the Indictment ngalnst his public record
In Washington which Mr. Palmer has
been placing before tho voters through
out the State.
Mr. Palmer said he had read the re
ply from Penrose in the newspapers, and
It vas evident that theanswer was wol
lomed, for throughout his entire speech
he held 11 up to ildlculc, exposed Its
weakness and pointed to Its failure to
rpl to h single one of tho charges inado
auainst Penroselsm.
With tho Democratic cnmnalcn nartv.
Sir Palmer arrived here from Sayre,
"here Me spoke last night. Today he
Mil visit nearly all the small towns In
Rusquehanna County, ending at Montrose
tonight, whore he will nddress a political
rall and mass-meeting.
PlSTROGRAD, Sept. 25.
General Rennenkampf has already re
sumed tho offensive against the Germans
and hold tho entire East Prussia frontier
line while he is driving tho Germans who
invaded Russian Poland in force back
on their own bases.
They hae already very strongly forti
fied the Vistula River from Danzig south,
nnd are evidently preparing to make their
real defense nlong this line.
Tho news of the war In tho east indi
cates, after nil reasonable allowances for
exaggeration are made, that tho immense
forces of Russia are rapidly nearlng tho
German fiontier, on a line of advance
130 miles wide.
Within a few. days. Is expected news
of a pitched battle,' ns vast as that of
tljo AtMie, between 1,000,00) Germans and
Austrlnns, who aro concentrating on this
lino to save the Kaiser's territory, and
1,500,000 Russians.
Belief that the direct Russian advance
against Germany Is npldly progressing
is pariiauy connrmea ny an announce
ment of the Breslau Guzetto that the mil
itary authorities there have cut all telo-
graphlc communication between Breslau.
Posen, Oppcln and Licbnltz. This would
Indicate the approach of tho Russian
armies. There were rumors two days
ago that Cossacks had been seen a few
miles cast of Breslau
The re-occupation of Soldnu. EaBt Prus
sia, where Genoral Rennenkampf suffered
heavy losses In a battle with superior
forces of Germans, wns announced last
night. The Germans are reported to be
evacuating the district about Soldau.
The Wnr Office announces:
"There Is no fighting on tho German
front. Three attempts by the Germans
to pi-nctrate Russian territory have been
repulsed znd the Germans have been com
pletely expelled by General Rennenkampf.
Railroads In East Prussia havo closed to
ordinary traffic, Indicating a great move-
mint of German troops. They are also
being biought east by sea."
MARCONI WIRELESS STATION
DEFIES ORDER TO CLOSE
Official Notifies Manager to Do Busi
ness Until Force Is Used.
NANTUCKET.. Mass, Sept. 25. Tho
Marconi radio station at Slasconsatdld
not close at noon today, notwithstanding
orders to that effect from Secretary of
the Navy Daniels, because of an alleged
violation of neutrality regulations.
Last night President Greggs of tho
Marconi Company wired Manager Cow
den Instructions that If Lieutenant
N'lxon, censor nt the wireless station,
ordered the station closed at noon today,
"you will ask him if ho is prepared to
luick up that order 'by force and If not
that you will continue to do business
under orders from your superiors."
This afternoon Lieutenant Nixon wired
Seciotary Daniels that he was In receipt
of n letter from the local manager to the
aoove encct anci requesting further In
structions. In tho meantime the wireless station Is
still doing business pending further
action by the censor.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 23.-Presldcnt
Wilson today declined to allow the Dem
ocrats of Now Jersey to Indorse him for
a second term.
Ho believed that such an Indorsement
might look ns if ho were "taking advan
tage nf the extraordinary situation now
existing to gain some personal advantage
through such an expression of confidence
by them." .
Ho directed his secretary, J. P. Tumulty,
to write a letter to Edward B. Grosscup,
State Treasurer of New Jersey, outlining
his views on the matter.
Tho letter says: v
"My Dear Grosscup:
"You were generous enough to consult
me as to whether the Democrats of Now
Jersey should at this time endorse the
President for a second term. I had a talk
with the President about It and ho deeply
appreciates the generosity of the sugges
tion, but New Jersey Is his own state,
the men who would act In this matter
are his own personal friends, nnd he
feels (bat It might seem as If he were
taking advantage of the extraordinary
situation now existing to gain somo per
sonal advantage through such an ex
pression of confidence by them.
"This would be Inconsistent with his
whole thought nnd spirit, nnd he shrinks
from It ns from something that would
embarrass rather than help him.
"He feels confident that you will know
the spirit in which he says this, and that
in urging the Democrats nf New Jersey
not to do this he Is not abating In the
least his deep appreciation.
"Very sincerely yours,
"J. P. TUMULTY,
"Secretary to the President,"
GARRISON ORDERS TROOPS
TO REMAIN AT VERA CRUZ
Withdrawal of American Soldiers
Impossible at This Time.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25.-8ecrctary ot
War Garrison today cabled General
Funston at Vera Cruz that there wns no
possibility of tho withdrawal of American
troops within the next ten days. The
departure of the troops may bo Indefinitely
postponed under pretext of civil nnd diplo
matic difficulties, pending the outcome of
tho new revolt. Delay In completing
formalities for turning over by General
Funston of the port nnd customs collec
tions to a Constitutionalist representative
will operate, It wns said, lo postpone de
parture of the troops. Isolation of Vera
Cruz from Mexico City by tho cutting ot
railway and wlro communication nro also
expected to delay the evacuation,
Seven transports were today loading
nrmy supplies at Vera Cruz in anticipation
of early surrender of the city, however.
Complications viewed with some appre
hension In Administration circles were
prospective urgent demands by Carranza
for Immediate departure of the Ameri
cans nnd a protest from Villa against
giving the port to any Carranza ngent.
This would present a difficult and delicate
problem to the President almost a cholco
of support between the rlvnl leaders.
GERMANS' ONSLAUGHTS
HURL BACK DEFENDERS
NEAR FORTS OF VERDUN
The War Today
VILLA PREPARING
TO SEND HIS ARMY
AGAINST CARRANZA
Concentrating Troops at Chi
huahua and T o r r e o n .
Felix Diaz and Huerta's
Successor to Aid New Revolt.
JAPANESE BOMBARD
GERMAN FORTRESS
WITH LAND FORCES
Tsing-Tao, on Chinese Pe
ninsula, Besieged and Ter
rific Firing Meets Assault.
Night Attack Expected.
PRK1N, Sept. 2S.
The first Japanese attack against the
German works at Tslng-Tao on the land
side In which Allies have figured was
begun today, according to information
received In this cty.
A force of British troops under Brigadier-General
Nathaniel W. Bernardlston,
H South Wales borderers, 100 Indian
Sikhs nnd Japanese began bombarding the
outer work of the Germans.
(Tslng-Tao h the port of the German
leasehold of Kiao-Chau on the Shan
Tung peninsula In China.)
The Allies are making a vigorous as
sault against the German works, and
the German artillery is replying vigor
ously. It Is expected that tho Japanese troort
and their allies win make a night at
tack against the German works soon.
BRUMBAUGH AT ALT00NA:
HAS CORDIAL RECEPTION
Prominent Men "Welcome Candidate
nnd He Addresses School Children.
ALTOONA. Pa., Sept. 25,-Dr. Martin
O Brumbaugh and Henry Houck, ar
rived here this morning for the big Re
publican mass meeting tonight. A not
able delegation met them nt the station.
Jt Included Geoige W. Crelghton, general
superintendent, nnd N. W. Smith, super
intendent. Pennsylvania Railroad; Major
" H. Walker, ex-Congressman J. D.
Hicks, County Chairman J. Lee Plummer
and nearly all the local Republican
leaders.
After a brief reception they were es
corted hi automobiles to the Altnona
High School, whero 1200 boys and giris
marched Into the auditorium. Dr. Brum
baugh gave the students n heart to
heart talk. He advised them to stick to
school and make the most of their tlmo
wnue tney were In school. Ho called at
tention to the fact that If all the school
children In Pennsylvania weio to form a
column ten abreast they would form an
army 72 miles long.
"It would be tho grandest at my that
ever marched under any Hag," ha de
clared. After Doctor Houck spoke the candi
dates were the guests of tho school
directors at a lunth served In the High
School by students in the domestic
wience dvpartmt-nt. Doctor Brumbaugh
pronounced it one of tho mojt palatable
he ver ate.
Thin afternoon the schools of Juniata,
a suburb. wre vUlted, and lutr a re
ception was hold In u prim'-itnt hot' ' latf rm committee will meet at viiT
Tonight .Senator IVnrosc will arrive , M" mln ntU-rnoon prevlou t7, th l .
.. jv., pj - ... . ,..- 1-fuv rii T u i"e HTuniinn plulj, '
SWISS WILL NOT ALLOW
GERMANS TO CROSS BORDER
Washington Officials Skeptical About
Report Trom Home,
BOMB, Sent. '5
the (ilornale d'ltalln publishes a"r'c.
port from Basel that Switzerland has re
fused a request from the Germans for
permission to send three nrmy coins
across Swiss territory.
,.,, WAS"INQTON Sent. 25.
Switzerland recently has received ae.
tual assurances from both Germany and
France that her neutrality win not b
violated. It was stated at the Swiss Le
gatlon this afternoon. Le
NEW JERSEY REPUBLICANS
State Chairman Calls Convention to
Meet Next Tuesday
TRKNTON, N. J.. Sept. 25.-Xewto .
K. Bugbee. chairman of the republic
S.ate Committee, today issued nTal for
the Stata convention of the party n h
in the auditorium of the Republic ??,?.$
this city
ALLIES' FLEET CAPTURES
NAVAL BASE IN ADRIATIC
Austrian Worships May Attempt to
pain City.
nOMK. Sept. 25.
The Anglo-French fleet has secured a
base In the Adriatic through the occu-'
patlon of the city of Llssa, the capital of
the Island of that name situated Just off
the Dalmatian coast. The tloet bombard
ed tho ctly, which surrendered. The Brit
ish and French marines were then landed
and the Austrian garrison has been Im
prisoned. It Is epected that as a result of this
occupation, the Austrian fleet, which has
been anchored Inside of the naval base
at Pola, will attempt to drive the British
French fleet from Llssa and a naval bat
tie will result.
Republican Club,
The call Is Issued to th en ...... ,,.,.
for the Assembly, seven Senatorial nom
luees, five holdover Senators and I th.
rilYi'Z" '. ""J!. C0"imltue. The
CONFESS TO BIG THEFT
Pittsburgh Bank Employes Enter
Fleas of Guilty in Court.
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 2S.-Pleas of
RUllty were entered in Criminal Court
here today by Herman F. Borchers and
George E. Hoffmolster, who were
charged with embezzlement, larceny and
forgery In connection with the theft of
(85,000 from the Colonial Trust Company
uf this city.
Both weru connected with the bank at
the time tho crimes were committed.
By LEWIS T. MATSON
EL PASO, Tex., Sept. 25. The rcnl
situation south of the Bio Grande was
hidden today behind the curtain of censor
ship, nnd by General Francisco Villa, who
has taken up nrms against his former
chief, Provisional President Venustlano
Carranza.
It Is known however that Villa Is hur
riedly concentrating troops nt Chihuahua
City and nt Torreon.
Bequests sent to Villa for an expression
upon the statement iBsucd by Carranza In
Mexico City, In which the Provisional
President expressed the belief that peace
would soon bo restored, brought no reply.
Political leaders throughout Mexico
are taking sides and it 13 reported that
General Felix Diaz, a nephew of ex
rrcsident Porfirlo Diaz, and Francisco
Carbajal, who succeeded VIctorlano
Huerta as President, are hurrying lo El
Paso to offer their services to Villa.
Gteat activity exists in Juarez. Train
loads of supplies are being sent south
ward. It Is evident that for weeks Villa
has been preparing for this emergency.
His aideB declared that the Villasta
army has enough ammunition and pro
visions to last "until Mexico City is
captured."
VILLA PREPARING SURPRISE.
There Is a Vlllista Junta here and nn
other nt Houston. There revolutionary
headquarters are making vigorous efforts
to cloak all of Villa's movements. It
Is evident that Villa wants to deliver a
surprise atack against the army which
Carranza is sending northward from ths
capital.
The United States authorities are con
fident that thero will not be any lighting
along the border, which would Imperil
the lives of Americans on United States
soil or American property. It is con
fidently believed that the fighting will
take placo In the southern part of the
State of Chlhuahun or even farther south.
Villa Is going to lead his troops In
person, wheicns General Carranza In
tends to remain In Mexico City, leav
ing field operations to members of his
staff.
There Is a feeling of anxiety apparent
on the part of the representatives of
Genernl Villa as to what side, if any,
the United States Government will tnke.
Since the embargo on arms and ammu
nition was lifted vast quantities of wnr
supplies have been shipped through the
Juarez custom house. If the embargo
Is again established It will be regarded
as evidence that the United Stntes Is
opposed to the Villa uprising. On the
other hand, if this passive assistance is
given to the one-time bandit. Villa prob
ably will look to tho Government at
wasmngton as nis mend.
IF VILLA SHOULD WIN.
The question now Is: What will happen
should General Villa overthrow Carranza?
The belief la strong all along the border
that Villa will win, because he has tho
people with him, But tho famous Con
stitutionalist general declares that he
will not be President of. Mexico no mat
ter what happens. The logical conclu
sion Is that Villa will put a man of his
own choice in me national Palace and
then compel him to put through the re
form measures which were formerly be
lieved to be the essenco of the Constitu
tionalist party's principle. Chief among
these is the distribution of land among
the peons. After this and other meas
ures have been adopted Villa is expected
to disband the army. However, all this
Is dependent upon his winning.
Persons creasing the bolder dt-clare that
sentiment In Northern Mexico is strong
ly In favor of Villa.
REPORT ON RHEIMS DAMAGE
American Consul From Switzerland
to Investigate.
BORDEAUX. Sept. 25.-The American
Consul at Lausanne, in Switzerland, has
gone to Rhelms to prepare a report on the
damage done the Cathedral by the Ger
man shells.
PEACE PRICE TOO HEAVY
Germany'6 Position Must First Be
Assured, Berlin Paper Says.
BERLIN, by wireless through Saville.
1 I.. Sept. 26.
The Berlin Tagablatt published the fol-
WEATHER FORECAST
For Philadelphia and vieinitu-
nioudu toniakt Saturtlti,i tni. lno """" agoiatt published the fol
Llouay tonignt, baturday fatr; con. lowing statement, apparentlj Inspired of
- - ----t ....,,, i.tw iiuf w Una ' '-'"Wl -w.
northwest winds, ' l'eA;' after such enormous sacrifices
S'or dttitUt - ie j.
Centres of the bitterest fighting In
France today are Verdun and along
tho Olso and Alsnc Itlvcrs, German
forces have captured Varennes, west
of Verdun. The Allies claim slight
gains In the enveloping' movement
against General von Kluk. English
reinforcements arc being rushed for
ward to strengthen the Allies' left.
Terrific bombardment of the Verdun
Toul line of forts continues.
Belgian forces defeated the Germans In
a sharp encounter near Antwerp,
says tho Belgian official statement,
nnd forced them back toward Brus
sels. A troop train was captured
with S00 prisoners. Alleged peace
proposals from Germany again were
refused.
Russians continue pursuit of the Aus
trlans In Gallcla, despite ceaseless
rains and difficulty In traversing
marshy land. Smaller fortified posi
tions have been taken, opening the
way to the capture of Chyrow, an
Important railway centre. The Aus
trian garrison at Przemysl made an
ineffectual sortie and were driven
back to the fortress with great loss.
The main Russian army Is reported
at Tarnow, midway between Cracow
and Jaroslaw.
Japanese troops, reinforced by British
territorials, began bombardment of
the German fortress at Tslng-Tao.
Tho firing wns terrific. A night at
tack is expected soon.
Zeppelin airships are raiding coast
towns along the North Sea, and Eng
land fears" an early invasion. A
bombardment of Ostcnd last night
waa regarded as a preliminary move
to an air attack on British towns.
The Indian Prince, a British steam
ship. Is reported to have been sunk
by the Kaiser Wilhelm off the South
American coast. French warships
are reported to have successfully
bombarded three Austrian towns on
the Dalmatian coast.
German War Office reports the Ver-dun-Toul
line of forts is being bat
tered to pieces by the German siege
guns, and the sorties of the French
have been repulsed. The official
statement admits severe pressure
against the right wing, but Insists
the Allies have made no progress.
The capitulation of Verdun Is pre
dicted when the big siege guns ar
rive from Metz. The capture of
Varennes, east of Argonno, Is nn- I
nounced.
Potrograd reports reaching the outer
fortifications of Cracow. Repulse is
announced of a sortie by the
Przemysl garrison nnd continued
pursuit of the Austrians along the
River San. The General Staff ex
pects stiff resistance at Cracow, as
Its occupation would Jeopardize the
German positions in East Prussia
and Silesia. The present Russian ob
jective is Chyrow, an Important rail
way centre. A winter march on Ber
lin Is planned to follow occupation
of Cracow,
Servian War Office announces repulse
of Austrians, who shelled Belgrade
six hours. Victory, after bloody
fighting. Is reported on the Save and
Danube, Austrian forces being re
pulsed In an Invading movement.
China, chafing at Japan's proposal to
build a narrow guage railroad for
carrying war supplies to Kiao-Chau,
hns mobilized troops in the northern
coast provinces. The Government Is
anxious lest this become a perma
nent line, following the precedent of
the Mukden-Antung line In the
Russo-Japanese War. Movement of
the combined Hrltlsh and Japanese
forces in an assault on Tslng.Tao is
expected this week.
Invaders Capture Varennes, Occupy Meuse
Heights and Rush on St. Mihiel in
Violent Effort to Break Through Long
Line of Ramparts.
French Advance East of Rheims Allies
Continue Flanking Movement Against
Teuton Right Wing and Attempt to
Gain Possession of Railroad Centres.
PARIS, Sept. 23.
German forces, In a determined as
sault on the Allies' right, have cap
tured Vnrennes, west of Verdun, have
occupied the heights of the Meuse River
and are marching on St. Mihiel, 20
miles southeast of Verdun.
These advances by the Invaders were
admitted in the official statement Is
sued at 3 o'clock this afternoon. It
added that the French have occupied
heights on the west side of the Meuse
before A'erdun.
The official report shows the Allies
are making a great effort to capture
the railroad centre at Tergnler.
The complete official statement follows:
On our left wing a general ac
tion of great violence Is proceed
ing between that part of our forces
which Is operating between the
. Sommo and the Olse and the army
corps which the enemy has gath
ered in the region of Tergnler and
St. Quentln. Some of these army
corps come from the centre of the
enem's line and others come from
Lorraine nnd the Vosges. the latter
being transported by railroad to
Cambrai by way of Liege and Va
lenciennes. At the north of the
Alse as far ns Berry-Au-Bac there
has been no Important change in
the situation.
At the centre we have advanced
on the east of Rheims toward Berry
and Moron-Villiers. Farther to the
ca.n up to the Argonne forest the
situation is unchanged. To the
east of the Argonne the enemy
has been unable to debouch from
Varennes.
On the right bank of the Meuse
he has gained a foothold on the
heights of the Meuse. on the promo
tory of Hatton-Chattel, and Is
pressing on in the direction of St.
Mihiel. He has bombarded the forts
of Los-Paroches and Camp Des
Romaines.
On the opposite bank, to the south
of Verdun, we are masters of the
heights of the Meuse and our
troop.s. debouching from Toul, havo
advanced to the vicinity of Beau
mont. On our right wing (Lorraine nnd
the Vosges) we have repulsed some
unlmpoitant attacks on Nomeny.
To the cast of Luneville the enemy
has made some demonstrations on
the line of La Vegoure nnd La
BIctte.
WILSON SIGNS "ALLEY BILL"
Eyes Dimmed With Tears as He Ap
proves Measure Urged by Dear Wife,
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -President
Wilson, his eyes dimmed with tear,,
signed today the so-calle.l "alley" bill,
which wipes out the slums of Wash
ington The measure was advocated by Mrs
WMIson, who peisonally made an In.
The Important railway Junction
town of Tergnler. on tho Olse River,
and commanding the railroad lines
now so important to General von
Kluk's army, which Is intrenched In
extremely strong positions In the tri
angle of the Alse and Olse, was today
the scene of a general French attack.
The French, aided by two British
army corps, were assaulting the Ger.
man positions here and along the line
northward to tha vicinity of St. Quen-
tin in a supreme effort to out General
von Kluk's communications. The War
Oillce admitted this, and it also ad
mltted General von Kluk has been
heavily reinforced by fresh troops sent
down from Liege,
The general position of the allied loft
grndually has been changing. IteaJiz
ing the folly of sacrificing men In vain
attempts to carry the strongly en
trenched positions that have tho pro
tectlon of the Alsne and Oise. the
French and British commanders-in-chief
are contenting themselves wun
subjecting these trenches to a constant
bombardment. And with tho bulk 0f
their forces available for further action
they are driving a wedge against the
German lines of communication.
If they can break them, it win be
possible to split the armies of General
on Boehm, made un of the i.mii, ,
vestigatlon of the crowded Pr,clncU of j ,he Germans withdrawn frm B,JKll
tha mDital and who. nn h. .4. .,..--, I ihiu
the capital and who, on her deathUsd,
and of General von Kluk.
m.
whispered that she wanted the legisia-I -....-. ,u n.IUK. Tnls w,
tlon to go through. Just before her death euner nrow lne latter back on top of
l!?fVlm,,''nJH,;,,,t',, acrmany" posUlon ,hc wa" a5Urei h last wish would nral von Buelow's, army, which ad
IS li'll" I'1 ' t mhh1 i i n I mu ill flirt I v.- . t.i -
1 ' fc ' ture be Granted. i0jns 0n the cast, or romn.i v. .-....
joins on the cast, or compel Von. Kluk
1'-4l
to give battle surrounded on three sldcj
by his enemies.
On this new development of the bat
tle, already in progress for 12 days,
much depends. If the Allies are suc
cessful they will force a speedy retreat
of the Germans that must carry them
back to tho lines of th. Meuse and
north into eastern Belgium.
Meanwhile the French centre is again
active. It was announced that the Ger
man bombardment of Rheims and Its
noted Cathedral has been resumed.
Shortly nfterward it also was stated
that the French centre was advancing
cast of Rheims, Indicating that the real
cause for the renewal of the bombard
ment has been the assumption of the
offensive by the French. The reason
for this undoubtedly Is a desire to
create diversion which will aid the
chain of French forts along the Meuse
between Verdun and Toul, which aro
under severe pressure at the present
time.
The German army commanded by the
Crown Prince is reported to have suc
ceeded in occupying Varennes on the
Aire River, almost directly west of
Verdun. This movement, It is believed
hero, was to prevent the French forces
relieving Verdun, which has now been
under siege more than a week.
It was emphatically denied at head
quarters, however, that by this move
ment the French centre has been
broken. Instead, it is declared as solid
as ever, and it Is asserted that another
movement, details of which are sup
pressed. Is already in progress which
will have Important results in the near
future.
Fresh British troops have been
landed In France and are being rushed
to the front to support the exhausted
soldiers who have been under fire con
tinuously for more than a month.
It is reported the British reinforce
ments are being placed along the Olso
and the Alsno to support both the left
flank and the centre of the Allies.
Fighting with the fury of demons,
the French of General d'Amade'a
army are pressing northward nnd east
ward, never ceasing their pounding
against the Germnn lines. With Pe-
ronno in their hands, they resumed tha
offensive at dawn today, only to bo
met with a fierce bombardment from
the German guns around Rolsel.
The German left, which is supposed
to contain the armies of the German
Crown Prince and Crown Prince Rup
precht of Bavaria, are making violent
assaults on the fortresses of Verdun
The bombnrdment is described as even
more vigorous than that at Liege,
Gigantic German siego guns, sent for
ward from the German fortresses
around Metz. are being ranged upon
the uplands around the French city
nnd are sending in a tornado of shells.
More than 5000 shells, each about flva
feet long and nearly 17 inches in diam
eter, are being hurled ngalnst the Ver
dun forts every Jt hours.
The cannonade goes on night and
day. Trained gunners, whose lif
work has been the study of seiemif
artillery fire, are at the German fror
at Verdun directing the bombardmer
The Germans havo more than 1
heavy guns in action there, not coun
ins the light artillery which Js belt
used against the French troops when
they make snrtles.
The French troops have constructed
ft series of elaborate redoubts. De
fensive works hfjve also been erected
for the protection of the batteries upon
the hilts.
Row of searchlights liave been
cm-ted on the heights around Verdun,
and at times as tfeee put.ll uf light
flash kkyward at night they teveal
some intrepid abator m outing o,r the
beleaguered cit
CountliJB the freih -work, which
"1