Wp
SPORTS
FINAL
FINAL
5BB6l
VOL. I-HO. 03
PHILADELPHIA, THTJHSDAX, DlSOKMBISIl 31, 1914.
PKIOJBJ OOTJ CJJOT
Corinronr.loH.riT inn Postia Ltcom Courier.
Ml mil ifcMWHjttV
EWtttttg
SPORTS
ITALY TO FIGHT
IF PORTE FAILS
TO FREE BRITON
Cabinet Demands Speedy
Reparation for Violation
of Hodeidali Consulate.
Must Release Official.
Trouble With Austria Also Pro
oagod in Occupation of Avlona.
Gorman Troops Patrol Border
in the Trontino.
HOME, Dec: 31.
Italy will lx plunged into the European
war within a few days. It la bolleved In
many quarters hero today, following1 the
ultimatum Issued yesterday to Turkey
demanding the release w,lthln two days
of the British Consul seised at Hodotedah.
ifol only with Turkoy are Italian rela
tions strained.
Austria is aroused by the Italian oc
cupation of Avlona, and Germany has
ecnt a detachment of troops Into tho
Trentlno,, on the Austro-Itallan frontier.
'Seizure of tho mlsslonory school at
Aleppo, in Asia Minor, by the Turks also
has angered Italy. i
Should Italy enter the war It is be
lieved It will bo against tho whole Teuton
alliance.
Howeverr at tho Cabinet meeting -today,
called to discuss tno Turkish situ
ation, opinions were expressed by cer
taln members that Turkey, facing the
issue squarely, would make tho required
amends at once.
Tho Government's patience Is exhausted,
and Turkey has been peremptorily noti
fied that the British Consul at Hodelda
must be released and Uie gendarmes who
broke Into tho Italian Consulate must be
punished.
Turkey has-beon warned that no excuse
for further delay will he 'accepted and a
satisfactory reply Is demanded within two
days.
Italy's momentous move In occupying
Avlona and the surrounding hill country
In Albania has aroused Intense Irrita
tion In Austria-Hungary. A correspond
ent, telegraphing from the frontier, says
the Germans have Intervened In Vienna,
in an effort to prevent. Austro-Itallan
friction at this delicate Juncture.
Count Berchtold had a long conference
with Emperor Francis Joseph on tho
question. Upon returning to the Foreign
Ofllce he sent at onco far the Italian Am
bassador, who, It is reported, was re
quested to procure from Homo .a, atate-
ment.pf Jta Jasclftrjumn..UWt octoucx .
fli . jiuiijiaocigrjijiqiv. ,umiijcujoce
tliants latest -triHvo was merely a'polldfil
measure for the tlmo being applied In.
ylrjue of the decisions of the London con
ference.
Blood Transfusion Saves Singer
NEW YORfc. Dec. 31. Following an
operation. In which blood transfusion was
involved at the Roosevelt Hospital last
night, Mme. Gervllle-Reache, formerly
leading contralto at v tho Manhattan
Opera House, is out of danger and resting
easy.
THE WEATHER
If tho year is new tomorrow the
weather today Is not. Which la all tho
comment necessary. And speaking of the'
new year with Inspiring originality on
December 31 let's be serious for once.
Tou remember quite well, don't you, that
peculiar trend of thought your mind fol
lows on your' own birthday occasions, be
It atthe. ago. of. 7 or 70? They-the
thoughts are quit Indlscribable.- If you
don't know whatsis meant, your case Is
more or lass hopeless. Well, tonight
comes the birthday of .a world the same
sort of birthday as your own, only raised
kn the billion and' half power, and oc
curring again .after millions and millions
of times. Millions of times for a. billion
.jtnd a halt like us. Think about. It.
FORECAST
For- Philadelphia and vicinity
, ' .Generally cloudy with no change in
, temperature today. Colder tonight
and tomorrow.
, i .t For details, Bee page S,
i " Observations at Philadelphia
", 8 a. M,
Barometer ..,,.. ,....,.,.., 80.33
Temperature ....... .....,.. so
Wind ...,,....,..,, ..,,, .North, 7 milts
Uky ... i. .'.. Cloudy
froclpiutton UK SI hours Nona
Humidity .....i.,,,,.,, si per cnt.
Minimum Umpertture ,,,.,, ...,.,' S3)
, Maximum, teraptrature v ,,,, 43
Almanac ot tho Day
'Hun sets ......,. ..j....f 4:43 p. nt
pun rgsva uuv,wn
v&loorr iouth ,,..,..
Uooii ruts tomorrow
..,.....,.,,
Xarorja to So Lighted
Autos and other vehicles , SiOOp.m,
The Tides
POET. RICHMOND,
r.ow water
-31UU tftr
itrh Water l'is.. m.
a a a almn n. Trt
law nuer lomorrow ...,, aj43a.ru.
UIIKBxmui: bvjusjst WMAJIF.
ratal ........... .j.. Q.
Xow water ........... 8:37 p. m.
-1HU water tomorrow , li2i.JS
jJow wstw tomorrow , S;W,m
wmrw lar.tun ' '
HBBDT ISLAND.
Iav water 8:28 p. ra.
Itiih water t:41 d. m.
Xi wter tomorrow o;S3. m.
VUEAKWATEn,
Iav water .
1 .-00 p.m.
water tomorrow ...V,.M.,.T. l:Ma.m.
"im.i.'i j .nm.tyf4 1 iin i Mpyi i -
mca waier
. MSAvmQ today
m There Ut ikaUny today sh Osr
Loume JLaU in cUax?ut ?ak
MAYOIt HOPEB FOtl PEACE
IN NEW YEAK'B QltEETlNG
Mayor Bhnkenburg today ad
dressed tho ' following New Year
menage to the citizens of Philadel
phia: "A happy and prosperous New
Year to all bur people!
"May the coming" year hrlng
blessings and cheer to-all home that
have been afflicted by business de
pression and by private sorrouf, and
may we till be permitted to share in
the bounties given our whole coun
try In the abundance of our haivc.it,
"May peace be concluded at an
early day between the warring peo
ples of Europe and the brotherhood
of man be permanently renewed and
forever established among all tho
ehttdrcn of Ood.''
ENGLAND DEVISES
"WATERTIGHT" PACT
FOR NEUTRAL SHIPS
Reply to America's Protest
Against Ship Seizures Re
ported Framed Pledge of
Nations to Be Accepted.
BHITAIX'S AM3WER
IWU11LY EXPEOTED
LONDON, Dec. St. American
Ambassador W. U. Page visited the
Foreign Office this afternoon and
held a conference with Bir Edward
Orey, the British Foreign Secre
tary, relative to President Wilson's'
note protesting against Interference
with American shipping on the high
seas by Uritish warships.
WA8IIINQTON, Dec. SI. Secre
tary of State Bryan, after scanning
a number of cable dispatches re
ceived today, announced that
Government hourly expected an an
swer from Great Britain to the pro
test against the detention and
search of American ships. The Sec
retary declared the text of the pro
test' would then be made public.
LONDON. Dec. 31.
The, feeling that thero will be a speedy
and amicable settlement of President Wil
son's protest against British Interference
with American shipping on the high Beas
was strong hero today. Thero was an
other meeting, of tthe British Cabinet, at
which Sir Edward .Grey, the British For
eign, Minister, presided', and afterward
it was reported that the Foreign Offlco
.wag now t a position tJ draft tho out-
""n,." 5mnap.jBji)wnQmengn.
Government's note.' Tho formal tcdIv
prdbably will be delivered early next week
through Sir Cecil Sprlng-Rlce, British
Ambassador at Washington.
The solution probably will be this:
The British Government will make
arrangements with neutral, countries
through which American goods might
pass to Great Britain's enemies,
which will make those countries "wa
tertight" In so far as the possibil
ity of export therefrom of contra
bands Is concerned. By this It' Is
meant that the neutral governments
of such countries aa Italy, Holland
and Denmark will be compelled to
prohibit the passage of goods Into
Germany and Auatrla. When this
"watertight" arrangement Is made
England will be able to relax the
. rigors of searching American and
other ships, which will obviate the
long delays and Inconvenience of
which President Wilson complained.
British newspapers continued today to
discuss the American noto at length. The
Standard In its leading editorial warned
the country that the American protest
was a serious one and should not be
treated llchtheartedly. The Standard goes
on to aay that the sentiment In the United
States In favor of tho Allies Is less pro
nounced than It was three months ago
ond that It Is yielding In favor of Ger
many aa the underdog In tho fight against
great odds.
"Therefore," the paper says, "if any
solution Is possible the United States
should be met half way."
The Morning Post contends that Amer
ican .copper exporters have by no means
been ruined, declaring that In September
and October, 1913, they sold 10,000,000
pounds of copper to Italy, Holland, Nor-
Concluded on Vase Six
SENATE RETAINS LITERACY
TEST; VETO IS EXPECTED
Immigration Bill Will Go to Wilson
With Provision, He Opposes.
WASHINGTON, Dec 31.-Tho literacy
teat was retained In the Immigration bill
by a vote of 47 to 13 In the Senate this
afternoon. Senator Martina moved to
strike out-the literacy test.
This vote Indicated that the Immigra
tion, bill containing the 'literacy test
would be put- squarely up to the Presi
dent, who has openly assorted his oppo
sition to It and Is expected to veto the
bill.
ABIZONA PBY AT 18 B. M.f BUT,-
"Hi
Saloonkeepers Will Stop Their Clocks
at Midnight,
PHOENIX. ATI.. Dec 3i.-Saloonkeep-era
will stop their clqclui at. midnight
When the State Is supposed to gq "dry''
under the prohibition law of Jast Nc
vembcr. ,
Officials, tt was said, would not inter
fere If the clocks were started again by
daylight. It' will-be "some" New Year's
if plans to clean up all the liquor in
Arizona before sunup go through.
A number of saloonkeepers In towns
along the border plan tq remove their
places of business across the line Into
Mexico.
NORWOOD STATION BOBBED
The Norwood station of the Maryland
division of the Philadelphia, Baltimore
and Washington Railroad was visited by
thieves early this morning. The tleket
oe was broken Into and, & small amount
of money aUHen. A' slot telephone ma
chine was broken and riQ4 of its con
tents sd a number of .express packages
wr wrU4 vtt . I
RUINS OF FIRE
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This photograph shows the blazing wreck of a three-story building in Pleasantville, N. J., from which
State Senator Bertram E. Whitman and wife barely escaped with their lives. The town's fire fighters
were forced to call on Atlantic City for help in subduing the flames.
NEW YORK YANKEES
FINALLY SOLD TO
COLONEL RUPPERT
President Ban Johnson An
nounces Deal is Put
Through, But Purchase
Price is Kept Secret.
NEW YOniC. Dec. 31. Tho ,Ncw York
Yankees were finally sold this afternoon.
President Ban Johnson, of tho American
League, got tho deal put through after 'a
day of bickering. Tho new owners aro
Col. Jacob Ituppf-rt, Jr., and Capt. T. L.
Huston, both of Now York. The purchase
pxico was kept private, but was estimated
at $100,000.
In announcing consummation of the deal
which has been hanging fire for weeks,
President Johnson stated that several
players wore also considered in the trans
fer. . ,
"Wild Bill" Donovan was named man
ager. At present Donovan is In Philadel
phia. s
Tho sale was concluded, today after, an
r.hllrdayi.iionfcrenca-by JphnsouO-FarrfiJ.K,
Dovery and Huston. Tno deal hung lire
for nearly a month.
Immediately after .Johnson made offi
cial announcement of the sale Ruppert)
tho, new owner, said,. "I will act as presi
dent of tho club and Captain Musto'n will
be secretory and treasurer." '
Johnson refused answers' to questions
as to the names of tho five players who
are to be turned over to tho Yankees.
Ruppert, at tho outset of the negotia
tions, Insisted that If he bought the
Yankees ho was to be given Ave good
players and a first-class manager.
One of tho most surprising features of
tho entire Ynnkee deal was tho hand Ban
Johnson played in tho matter. Johnson
practically engineered tho deal from be
ginning to end. He has stated that tho
reason why he dipped Into matters which
are supposed to be settled by club own
ers was that the-American League needed
a new management in New York.
The troublo In the Yankee ranks began
last summer when Frank Chance, who
was manager nt that time, had several
battles wlh the owners because of the
poor showing of his team. In the early
fall Chanco resigned his position as the
Yankee leader, although ho had a con
tract to finish the season.
However, tho owners allowed Chance to
abrogate the contract and they paid him
his full year's salary. After Chance left
the Yankees, Roger Pecklnpaugh, the
shortshop, was made temporary manager.
Tho team finished' the season with
"Peck" at the helm.
From the time Chance resigned until
the present, rumors that a sale woufd be
made have been current. At the recent
meeting of the National League and
National Commission, held In New York,'
an announcement was made -by Ban
Johnson that the Yankees would.be, sold
and that Colonel Ruppert and Huston
would be the new owners. It is under
stood that the new owners have been
holding out to have the purchase price
lowered'from J500.000 to $O,0OO.
When the, deal was first mentioned a
story was printed to tho effect that Rup
pert would not purchase unless John
McQmw were made manager. Since then
nearly every man In baseball has been
mentioned among the probable man
agers. Connie Slack was not only, men
tioned as a possibility for the managerial'
position, but for a time It was -believed-by
many ' that he would purchase the
club.
The Yankees under the new ownership
Intend to. build a new, modem stadium
capable of seating about 40,000. spectators.
BRUMBAUGH TO STUDY
NEEDS OF ALL CLASSES
Governor-elect Will Tour State'ln1In
terest of Citizens. ' f
Qovernor-elect Brumbaugh ' will Intro
duce, an innovation during his admlnls-.
tratlon. in the manner In which he will
supervise legislation. He said today he
Intended, to travel extensively through
the' State during his term as Governor, so
that he cqu4 meet citizens In the country
districts and talk over with them all
legislation affecting them.
In regard to city legislation, be said, all
n-easures affecting- cities, especially Phil
adelphia and Pittsburgh, would have his
careful personal . supervlslpn.
Tje Qovernor-elept returned, today fromf
Pittsburgh. He refused to discuss his.
Cabinet appointments or the Speakership,
other than to ay when he has decided
upon h,ls appointments he will announce
them. v,
"No measure should be considered by
the Legislature unless there Is a, deQnlto
understanding of the problem that con
fronts tt," he said. "Bills should be
carefully drawn and carefully considered
before they are passed. When 0 hills on
the same subject are Introduced, the
problem that the measures try to solve
becomes clouded and thero li slight
chance of good being aocompiUhtd. This
should never occur, if bills aro e&fefully
drawn they can be conscientiously -sidentvt"
THAT THREATENED ALL
JERSEY SENATOR AND WIFE
OVERCOME AT BLAZE
Res'cucd Prom Apartments In ITiro at
' Pleasantville.
PLEASANTVILLE, N. J., Dec. 31. Two
persons narrowly escaped being burned
to death In a ,flre that swept through
tho three-story building at Washington
and Main streets here today, entailing
a loss of between J35.000 and $50,000,
Another (Ire nt tho same time at North
field, near here, destroyed tho homo of
William Trees, and one engtno company
vroa sent t'o help the firemen thore.
An automobile engine company from
Atlantic City responded to a call for
help sent out by the local department nt
2 o'clock this morning, two hours nfter
the blaze started. At thnt tlmo the flames
were threa't'enlng tho entire business sec
tion of the town. Firemen did not get
the blaze undor control until dawn.
State Senator Bertram E. Whitman and
Jits. Whitman occupy apartments In the
second floor of the building. Both were
overcome nnd wore carried out of tho
building unconscious.
CORONER'S JURY CENSURES
PHILADELPHIA HOSPITAL
Verdict Attributes Child's Death to
.Careless Treatment.
Cengure .was" directed against tho Phil
adelphia General Hospital today by the
Coroner's Uu'ry, In tile case of Clara-Salt..
v6erl?rowyearB' ttarlSTCB teliosC
pltat on December-Z6 from Bcnlds received
on Christmas Day when bathed by Bea
trice Gilbert. ,art- Imbecile patient.
According' to tho physicians at the Phil
adelphia General Hospital, the child died
from pneumonia.
Copncr Knight, In addressing tho Jury,
said the hospital should certainly be cen
sured for permitting the bathing of a
child Inmate by another patient who was
Irresponsible.. .
Beatrice .Gilbert was called to testify,
bht her replies were so Incoherent she
was recalled.
Serious disagreement between Dr. Ed
win Wharton Storck, who was In charge
of tho- dead child at tho hospital after
the accident, and Dr. W. F. Wadsworth,
the Coroner's physician, was brought out
when the former testified that tho child
'did not die as a result of shock sustained
In tho accident, while the latter main
tained that she did.
, Mrs. Ida. Denny, of 329 South 0th street,
a sister of tho dead child, testified that
when Bho arrived at tho hospital after
hearing of the child's death she, was re
fused all information, on tho accident nnd
was treated with absolute discourtesy,
CXOTJDY NEW YEAB'S DAY
Weather Man Also Sees Possible
Snow Flurries Today.
Cold, ctoudy weather will mark the
advent of the new year tomorrow', ac
cording to the forecast of tho local
weather bureau. Temperatures just be
low the freezing point have made the Ice
on various Fairmount Park lakes ideal
for skating and there should be plenty
of the sport, for' the first day of the new
year.
-There Is a possibility of light snow
flurries this.- afternoon, according to
Weather Forecaster Bliss, but not enough
to last, so the mummers need not worry
about the footing for the parade, as
Broad' street-is now clear of Ice and snow.
Police. Atrait Orders on Auto Tags
Automobile owners who have not yet
obtained their 1915 license tags will not
be molested after midnight to night until
further notice 'to the' police from Superintendent-
Robinson, .The Superintendent
lssued'orders to this effect because of the
failure of the -State Highway Commis
sioner to - notify the police department
Whether or . not all the 1915 automobile
tsgs already have 'been distributed,
Kaiser Oreets the President
: BERLIN, Dee.- 31. Kaiser Wllhelm to-
:day sent- New Year's greeting from his
Imaln headquarters to President Woodrow
,'Wilson, -The'. Kaiser, ' In his message,
I wished for 'Sir, Wilson and for the United
States a nappy and prosperous new year.
House Passes -Postal Appropriation
WASHINGTON,' Deo. Jl.-Carrylng ap
proximately 1333,000,000. the Postal ap
propriation bllTwaa passed by the House
this afternoon.
"Monkey Business"
in Oongteat- and what It all means
. in explained in an entertaining and
'' Instructive article to be printed on
the editorial page of tomorrow's.
EVENING LEDGER
This artlcla Is from the pen. of a
member of Congress, who is alio a
writer of wide repute,
E. W. TOWNSEND
JSucrt long established institutions
as the Mace, dating back a thousand
years; the formalities of the message
and the transmission of information
to- the president ore described.
Order the' Evening Ledger early
from your nmwbaJer.
PLEASANTVILLE
POLICE MAGISTRATE
SCANDAL MAY BE
TAKEN TO COURT
District Attorney to Probe
Renshaw's Charge That
Stevenson Frees Prisoners
Committed at City Hall.
Criminal nrosecution may follow In
vestigations brought about by charges
made today ngalnst Magistrate Maxwell
Stevenson, Jr., accused of releasing pris
oners who had been. committed to prison
by Magistrate Rcnshaw, presiding at
Central Pollco . Court. This was tho
statement made today by District At
torney Rotan, when his attention was
called to tho charges mado against
Magistrate Stevenson by Magistrate Ren
shaw. Rcnshaw accused Stevenson of
having released hundreds of disorderly
characters after they had, been com
mitted to Jail, and charged that tie' re
Ksifscs were nrransed.llhroJlEh,yceUusioh
Willi iienry jm. siovenson, nis Dromer,
tin attorney with offices in the Land
Tltlo Building.
Judgo Staake will be asked to review
tho cases of several women who were
roloasod on Stevenson's order after they
had been .committed by Magistrate Ren
shaw. The Investigation will be held In
Jnnunry, according to District Attorney
Rotan.
RELEASE FOLLOWS COMMITMENT.
That hundreds of notorious pickpockets
arrested by City Hall detectives early in
December wero released by Magistrate
Stevenson In tlmo to work the Christmas
shoppers was one of the charges brought
against him by Magistrate Renshaw. All
tho more serious Magistrate court cases
are brought before him at City Hall. But
tho other Magistrates, unable to meto
out their own Idea of Justice because of
this rule, havo been discharging prison
ers committed by Renshaw as soon as
copies of- the charges were presented to
them,' It Is charged. In this way. the
police have arrested time after time the
same persons accused of minor crimes.
That Magistrate Stevenson was acting
illegally In releasing the prisoners was
the statement of Mr. Rotan this morning.
Mr. Rotan declared that the matter
would be brought Into court and the
Magistrate's powers established beyond
dispute.
"Tho practice of Magistrates releasing
prisoners who havo been held by other
Magistrates is Illegal and wrong. In my
opinion," said Mr. Rotan. "Such
practices should Immediately bo dlscon-
Concluded on Ice Three
AIRMEN ATTACK DUNKIRK,
KILLING 15, WOUNDING 32
German Haiders Wreck Houses.
Aged Woman Slain.
LONDON, Dec, 31.
German aeroplanes today raided Dun
kirk and for more than half an hour
dropped bombs nil over the town. The
fleet comprised .four aeroplanes,, both
Taubes and Avlatiks, which flew several
times across the town, dropping bombs
on each Journey. Soldiers In the streets
replied with a vigorous rifle fire, but all
got away safely, One seemed to have
been hit, for he turned on hl3 head and
descended several hundred feet before
righting.
The town was In a state of much ex
citement. Buildings and windows, were
smashed In all directions. The first bomb
fell on the fortifications, Two. more fell
near the railway station, another In the
Rue Caumartln, another in the kitchen of
the military hospital, another -near the
town hall, others In the Rues Pierre and
Nleuport, and tho last near the arsenal.
Two fell In the suburb of Rosendael and
on the Jute factory districts of. Soudel
kerque. Furnes also suffered' many
wounded. There the official return of
casualties at i o'clock this afternoon was
JS killed and 33 wounded. One child had.
an arm blown off, while another, with an
aged woman, was killed outright, being
dreadfully dlatlgurea.
The bombs were filled with shrapnel,
which pitted the walls ond buildings. A
fifth German aeroplane remained aa
sentry outside the town, holding Itself
la readiness to attack any of the Allies'
aeroplanes.
COEONEB HOIiDS, AUTO DBIVEK
Frederick ,hrenpfort. owner of the
hotel at Willow Grove, was held today to
await the action of the Grand Jury, after
the Coroner had rendered a decision in
connection with the death of Frank Hart
man. Wo West Lehigh avenue. Hartraan
dld In the Ffankford Hospital on Decem
ber tt from injuries sustained while rid
ing In an automobile owned and driven by
Shrejipfort. The automobile ran Into a
wagon aa Bustleton pike. Uartwaa bad
bsn eaiployed as bartender for Mre'
pf oritur 18 years,
ry
OFFICIAL WAR REPORTS
FRENCH
From the sea as far as the Alsno
the day has been rather calm, with
tho exception of a few artillery duels
at some points.
In Chnmpagnc, to the west of La
Ferme d'Alger (to tho north of 811
lory, on tho sector of Rhclms), the
enemy during the night had blown up
two of our trenches and afterward
mado an attack ngalnst them, which
was repulsed.
To the north of Mcsnlt-Ies-Hurlus we
have taken the trenches of tho second
line of defense of the enemy. In tho
same region, to the north of La Fcrmo
d'BeauseJour, we alBo captured somo
trenches. The enemy made "a counter
attack, but It was repulsed, and we
ourselves took tho offensive In our
turn, winning somo ground.
In tho same region, nnd more to the
cast, the German forces which were
advancing to make a counter attack
were caught between the Are of our
artillery nnd rolled back.
In the Argonnc, near Fontnlno Ma
dame, wo blew up a mine nnd occupied
the excavation, at the same tlmo mak
ing slight progress.
Between the Mouse and Moselle, In
the region of the forest of Mortcmart,'
160 metres more or less of German
trenches havo fallen Into our hands.
In Upper Alsace our troops have en
tered the town of Stelnbach nnd cap
tured one-half of It nfter a .terrific
house-to-house combat,
RUSSIAN
Along tho wholo front of the armies
operating on the left bank of the Vis
tula, thero has been a lull except In
the region Of BollmoW, Inowlodz and
south of Malagoszaz, whero fierce
flRhtlng persists.
Near Inowlodz our troops took pos
session of German trenches south of
Possado, which they entered and en
gaged In determined fighting.
In West Qnllcla our troops are ad
vancing victoriously. East of Znk
llczyn wo stormed several fortified
works of tho enemy.
Southwest of Dukla our troops dis
lodged tho Austrians from positions
which they had Btrongly organized.
They tied In a panic.
GERMAN
In the Western theatre of war It was
generally quiet on the coast yesterday.
The enemy directed his fire upon
Westendo and destroyed part of the
houses without causing nny military
damage.
An entire French company was an
nihilated when we blew up n lino of
trenches near La Ferme d'Alger and
Auberive, southeast of Rhelms. Strong
French attacks north of Chalons-sur-Marne
wero everywhere repulsed.
In tho western part of the Argonno
region wo gained considerable ground,
capturing- several trenches, one behind
tho other. Wo took 250 French pris
oners. French attneks In the region
of Fllerey, 14 ' miles north of Toul
arid nine miles west of Pont-a-Mous-non,
failed. In the region of West
Sonnhetm, In Upper Alsace, all French
attacks ,broko down undor the flro of
our artillery.
Tho enemy's artillery systematically
destroyed the houses In tho village of'
Stcinbach, which was in our posses
sion. Our lpsses. however, were slight
Eastern theatre ,ot war The sltua- .
tlorfiiKHftirt:rrU3slaand'Po'landr"iiorth
of the -Welchse! (Vistula). fs unchanged.
East of the Bisura the battles continue.
Our offensive In the Rawka district is
progressing. On the eastern bank, of
the PUIca the situation Is unchanged.
AUSTRIAN
Oar troops fighting in tho Carpath
ians are meeting with success In their
efforts to stem the Russian advance.
Reinforcements are being sent to that
region. Russian attempts to reach
the Dunajec River near Zakllczyn
havo failed.
In the Balkan theatre ot war there
Is nothing to report.
Russian official statements are
greatly exaggerated. While it Is true
that tho Russians have captured
some Austrian officers, as well as men'
of tho common ranks, nil their esti
mates aro greatly exaggerated.
THOUSANDS PRAY
IN BIG TABERNACLE
SERVICES TONIGHT
Dedication of "Billy" Sun
day's Great Hall to Be
Accompanied by Watch
night Ceremony.
"Billy." Sunday's big tabernacle, at 19th
and Vine streets, in which It Is expected
that more than 100,000 will "hit the trail."
Will "be dedicated tonight The ceremonies
will take place In the presence of 'Governor-elect
Martin O. Brumbaugh, who
wilt take part In the exercises. It Is the
belief of the campaign leaders that nearly
SO.OOO persona will crowd Into the build
ing. The Rev, Pr. George II, BIckley, chair
man of the Prayer-meeting Committee
and vice chairman of tho General Com
mittee, will preside. The big double choir
of 8600 voices will sing and there wU be,
special soloists, both vocal and Instru
mental, The Rev, Dr. aialtland Alexan
der, of Pittsburgh, moderator of the
Presbyterian General Assembly, will
speak.
Others who will be htard are the Rev.
E. II. Bmett, pne of'Mr. Sunday's as
sistants In organization work; the Rev.
Dr. Russell IC Conwell, "the Rev. Dr. A.
Pohlman. the Rev, Dr. Carl A- Cram
mer, -Bishop Joseph F. Berry.' the Rev.
Dr. John R. Davles, George Inness, Wil
liam T. Kills and Joseph at. Steele, chair
man of the Uulldlrtg Committee.
At the conclusion of the dedication serv
ices a watch-night meeting will be held,
and many thousands of persona will be
offering prayers In the tabernacle when
the clocks strike 1!, asking that the
"Billy" Sunday campaign shall ba a great
power for good In the city
Solos will be aung by Benjamin T.
Evans, Dr. George C Anthony arid Mrs.
Nettle M. Chain. F. Nevln Wlest. oornet
Ut ot the Lemon IIUl Association, wm
play solos.
Durlns the "Billy' Sunday tttuapaign
luncheons Xor working girl ot the central
section of tho city will be provuled, at u
cost of 5 cents: a day, to rooms at JMfl and
1513 Arch street. Provisions wlH b made
tor serving at least 3M& girt aud wawen
between the hours of U aad S aeb day.
Mtss Franaes UUkr. oas of tb Vedn
of the "Billy" Swwtay party, wttt (kUvsr
addreeses.
ALSACE TOM
CAPTURED BY
ALLIES AFTER;
FIERCE FIGflf
Steinbach, Key to Altkif ch
and Mulhausen, Taken!
After Desperate HoitseV
to-House Battle Get
man Machine Guilt,
Rain Fire on Invaders
From Housetop. .
Kaiser's Sappers Blow Up
Foe's Trenches in Chanw
pagne, But Allies Retail-:
ate by Destroying Oppot?
ing Defenses in the At
gonne and Capturing
Others Between the Meuwp
and the Moselle.
The French army which had beeii
investing Steinbach, ;rt' Upper Alsace,'
has captured the city after a furious
housc-torhouse conflict. Official an
nouncement to this effect was madf
by theFrench War Office today.
- It was admitted that the Gcrmarfa
have made a gain in the Champagtv
district to the west of La Fcrrns
d'Alger, where two lines of trenches
were blown up. At Mersnif-les?
Hurlus, 27 miles southeast of Rncim'5,
the French have taken the trenches
of the German second line.
In the Argonne the French blew up
.1 mine and occupied the excayatibh:
BetwcCn the Meuse and Jvf oSelle,' $&
man trenches .about J50 metres' Jn
length;-felt Jnto the hands o'f.thj,
The Gerrnans have rushed heavy, ntm
tillery tOjth'e? frgnt'oetweeu Skiefrtie
wice and .th'eVPjiica River to protect
their centre from the newly developed
Russian offensive. Orr the east barile
of the Bzura thVGermans nave, been,
forced to evacuate Mistrzewlce, which
they occupied at great -cost '.a short
time ago. This gives the Cxar control
of the zone of fighting, of which
Sochaczew is the centre.
In Galicia the Russian advance
seems to be progressing toward Ora
cow, though the Austrians report re
pulse of the foe in the Carpathian;
passes, thus preventing a newinvaston'
of Hungary.
FRENCH CAPTURE STEINBACH
IN HOUSE-TO-HOtfSE FIGHT
,
"Way Opened -to Altklrch. and- Xul-,
hausen by Taking; ot Townt -PARIS,
Dec. -81,
The French have captured the village
of Steinbach, In Upper Alsace, follutvllir;
one of the hardest-fought engagements
of the -war on the -eastern tront. They
had ;literally to battle their way .Jrbm:
house to house, meeting a raking- -itm
chine-gun Are from' Germans on the root-,
tops and In windows, The losses on, both.
Bides were very large. Occupation ot'
this position is declared officially ' ta b.
Of the utmost strategic Importance Open-'
lng as t does the way to the roads that,
run to Altklrch and Mulhausen;, .
Announcement or tnla victory fdr th
,1 1 ,fc
. Concluded on Pate toujT
FRANCIS JOSEPH ABDICATES
THRONE, SAYS SWISS REPORT
Aged Emperor Declared to Havo
forsaken Hule. .
LONDON, Dec. 31. The following" new,
agency dispatch was received here Wdajt,
from Paris: "A report from SwlUertana&
which was published. here today, -etatM?,
that Emneror Francis Joseph of Austria!
lms abdicated the throne vt thsTfS5t"
Monarchy-
It was impossible to obtain any corn-.
nrmatlon of tho rumor and It TeeslVi
little credence Jn tondoiy
"i i" ' . in.i.i
Marconi Gets Italian Togs, ?.,
ROMP, Dec. 31 .A deCr,aa Kattttln
GugUelmo Marconi, noted, inventor, as a,
member of the Italian Senate was aiyn4
by the King today.
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