Thus, on a battle line of nearly 500 pressed back Russian advanced posts, GERMANS TAKE ANOTHER TOWN invaders Make 5,500 Russians Prisoners in Another Part ~f Country. WIN, WITH BAYONET CHARGE London.—The conquest of Rumania atill continues. To the great number of prisoners already taken, the Cen- tral Allies have added 5,600 more, in the last few days, Berlin announces. The town of Filipechti, on the rail- road between Buzeu and Brailia, was captured at the point -of bayonet. Strongly intrenched Russian positions on both sides of the village were stormed. The Rumanian statement says the enemy was repulsed with great losses to him in'a number of at- tacks before the town was abandoned. It was set on fire by the Teuton artil- lery. The great battle, which was usher- ed in Christmas morning continues to cage without abatement. The Teuton attacking front has been extended to the region southeast of Lemberg. miles, from the heart of Galicia to the Black Sea, the Teuton big guns are covering the Russian lines with a steady hail of shells. The immediate prize covetéd by the attackers before they can seriously think of starting the long heralded drive for Odessa is the full control of the Lemberg-Cerno- witz-Galataz railway. With that line in their hands the whole Zereth line would fall automatically. Rumanian forces in Dobrudja have been repulsed after a violent battle on the whole front from Lake Badadagh to Tuerkoatza, says the official Bulgar- lan statement. The" Central Allies captured 985 Russians and three machine guns. . On the Rumanian front the invaders at the source of the River Srishtza, in the region of Dragoslatzoff were re- pelled by Rumanian counter-aitacks which, at the same time, secured three machine-guns, says Petrograd. . At the source of the River Rimnik the enemy which withdrew to the main position. ul TEUTONS YIELD TO DRIVE. London.—In the Dobrudja region of Rumania, where the Russo-Rumanian forces have turned upon the invaders, the Teutonic Allies have been driven from heights in the region of Bala- banica and Bachkoi, and the Russians and Rumanians are now disputing with them in a violent battle the pos- ‘session of other positions along this line. In Rumania proper the Teutons are advancing along both sides of the Insu-Racovitzeri road, but are meeting with steady resistance from the Rus- slans and Rumanians. Along the Pirlita-Stankuca front the Teutonic allies have pushed back the advance guard of the defenders. Except for the battles in Rumania, in the Carpathians southeast of the Kimpolung-Jacobeni railway, where, the Russians have captured several heights, and at various points on the Russian front, where attacks by the Russians have been repulsed by the Germans, little ‘infantry activity is being displayed. The artillery duels have been spirit- ed at various points along the French front. ~ Berlin reports a raid by Ger- mans on British trenches and the cap- ture of four officers and twenty-six men. In another raid British troops entered German trenches near Arras, but later were ejected. On the Ver- dun sector, where ‘the French made a notable advance last week, the Ger- mans have violently bombarded the Louvemont-Vaux front. Snow and rain are falling in Mace- donia, and aside from an engagement in ‘the Cerna River bend region no infantry fighting has taken place. On this sector Berlin reports that the Teutonic allies have held heights east of Paralovo against strong Russian attacks. Russian submarines, Petrograd an- nounces, sank a steamer and 12 sail- ing vessels in the Black Sea near the Bosphorus. On the Somme front four German airplanes have been brought down by the French, Paris announces. The first came to earth near Malincourt, the second in the environs of Clery, the third near Devise, while the fourth was brought dewn at a point to the south of Pouy-le-Grand by Sub-Lieut. Nungesser. This makes 21, the total number of enemy airplanes brought down by this aviator. Another French pilot pursuing a German machine, collided with his adversary. Both machines crushed to the ground. : The French lost six aeroplanes in aumerous air engagements in the Somme sector, according to the Ber- lin statement. NEW SLIP FOR NAVY YARD To Be Used for Building Battle Cruis- er at Philadelphia. Washington.—Construction at the Philadelphia navy yard of a slip for building one of the four battle cruis- ers authorized by Congress has been determined upon by Secretary Daniels. Private bidders submitted proposals upon a ‘percentage basis, and Secre- tary Daniels said that unless the Gov- ernment constructed one of the ves- ' the east bank of the Meuse in the Ver- HGHTING LIGHT ON ALL FRONTS Further Yielding at Rumanian Points Under Pressure by the Germans TURKS SUFFER BIG DEFEAT London.—The third Christmas of the European war passed without much fighting on the British and French fronts, where virtually only the artillery was entertained as far as was compatible with the sterner business of war. Rumania’s first Christmas as a par- ticipant in' the war witnessed heavy fighting on the Rumanian front. Ground was yielded by the Rumanians at some points under the pressure of the Germans, and north of the Buzeu- Rimnik Road a hight was lost by the Russians. In the northwest corner of Dobrudja Province, the sector to which the Russo-Rumanian retreat has taken them, the army of Field Marshal von Mackensen has began to attack the bridgehead of Matchin, after Isakishe, on the eastern bank of the Danube, was captured. In addition to an- nouncing the evacuation of Isakishe, the Russians admit the occupation of Tultcha. British mounted troops, with the co- operation of aircraft,“carried a strong position at Moghdaba, twenty miles distant from El Arish, which was cap- tured on Thursday. Incomplete re- ue says the statement from Lon- on, show that 1,130 prisoners were captured and a large quantity ar arms and war material taken. Heavy cas- ualties were suffered by the Turks. The Russians claim to have inflicted heavy losses on the Austro-Germans when the latter attemptea to re-cap- ture heights occupied by the Russians on Sunday in the wooded Carpathians. Macedonia, except for an artillery struggle, is void of momentous activ- ity. The same is true generally of the Austro-Italian theatre, except for the Julian front, where even such operations have been prevented by mist. : J RUSSIANS MEET REVERSE, London.—Except in the northern Dobrudja, where the troops of the Central Powers continue to drive the Russians and Rumanians toward Bess- arabia, there has been little important activity in the battle fronts of Europe. The Russian troops in the Dobrudja. Petrograd announces, were forced to retire northward under heavy attacks from . pumercially superior hostile forces. Berlin states that the Teu- tonic army in the Dobrudja continues to advanced successfully and announ- ces the capture of 900 Russian soldiers, East of Lake Babadagh a Russian regiment, Petrograd records, drove a force of Bulgarians into Lake Ibolata. A great many Bulgarians drowned and 115 were made prisoners. The artillery bombardment continues at various points on the eastern front. Berlin reports increased activity, es- pecially in the Somme sector and on dun region, the scene of the latest French advance. In Galicia, near the Zlochoff-Tarno- pol railroad, there has been a spirited engagement. Berlin reports the break- ing of the advanced Russian line northwest of Zalostse, while Petrograd says the Austro-Germans were com- pelled to retire after occupying some trenches. London.—What promises to develop into the decisive battle for the south- ern gates of Bessarabia is under way. There is every indication that these gates have been barred by the Rus- sians during the last two months with the most powerful army of defense ar- tillery and that their appoaches are guarded by a strong Muscovite army determined to spell the final half of the Teuton advance in northeastern Rumania. PITH OF THE WAR NEWS In Mesopotamia the British forces are still in quest of Kut-el-Amara, in which sector they have made fur- ther advances on the right bank of the Tigris .and extended their posi- tions south and east of the town. Gassabs Fort, twenty miles ‘south- east of Kut. a base from which hos- tile Arabs had been operating against the British, has been de- stroyed. The British victory over the Turks at Maghdaba, ninety miles east of the Suez Canal, was of considerable pro- portions. Large quantities of war stores were captured. All of the three Scandinavian -coun- tries and Holland are ahout to fall in line #vith the United States in the effort to bring the belligerents together at a-peace conference ac- cording to reports received from various sources. The belief-is gaining ground in admin- _ istration circles that the President's note wil result ultimately in a con- ference of the belligerents. The greatest optimism was expressed at the White House. On the Julian front under the cover Exrected That the American THE MEYERSDALE COMMERCIAL, MEYERSDALE, PA. BANK SYSTEM 1S EXTENDED i i i i i Dollar Will Be World's Monetary Standard ENGLAND BANK FIRST AGENT Reserve Bank Board Takes First Move to Make the United States the Banker of the World-Further Action Contemplated. Washington.—The government took ite first formal step, through the Fed- eral Reserve Board, looking to estab- lishment of financial connections abroad through which it hopes to strengthen the position of the United States as a world banker and to main tain the American dollar as the stand- ard of exchange. # Under a section of the federal re- serve act the board authorized the ap- pointment of the Bank of England as as foreign correspondent of the Fed- eral Reserve Bank of New York and announced that the 11 other reserve banks might participate in the agency relations. Others to Follow. Connections with other foreign gov- ernmental institutions, such as the Bank of France, is foreshadowed by action. The Bank of England is the first foreign correspondent whose ap- pointment has been authorized since the operation’of the new financial sys- tem in this country. Accounts in Both Countries. In granting the authority to estab- lish this agency the board has author- ized the Federal Reserve Bank of New York to maintain accounts eith- er for or with the Bank of England so that operations both in England and in the United States are possible. Other Federal Reserve Banks may participate in the agency relationship with the Bank of England. pa DOZEN KILLED IN ARKANSAS TORNADO Fire Follows Wreckage and Adds to the Horror. Little Rock, Ark.—A dozen persons lost their lives in a severe storm which swept south central Arkansas. Some 50 others were injured. ; The storm swept a path about four miles wide and several fires broke out in the wreckage. Every physic: jan in the town of England has gone to the country to care for the in: jured. The known dead include three girls named Patgett whose homes were at Carlisle, Albert Swartz, a farmer, of England and five negroes at the state convict farm at Tucker. Property loss will amount to many hundred thousands of dollars. The heaviest individual loss was suffered by Joseph Pilkington, a planter, living near Pine Bluff, whose $20,000 resi- dence was demolished. All of the stricken districts have been reached and relief work is in progress. Considerable alarm is felt over the situation at the State convict farm. There are about 325 prisoners there. eee Census Bureau Places Estimates. Washington.—Estimates of popula- tion for 1916 announced by the bu- reau of the census gives these figures for the country’s largest cities: New York, 5,602,841; Chicago, 2- 497,722; Philadelphia, 1,709,518; St. Louis, 757,309; Boston, 756,476; Cleve- land, 674,073; Baltimore, 589,621; Pittsburgh, 579,090; Detroit, 571,784; Los Angeles, 503,812; Buffalo, 468,- 558; San Francisco, 463,516. — Madero Estates Worth $24,000. New York. — Francisco Madero, father of the late President of Mex- ico, left assets taxable in New York state worth approximately $24,000. Woman, 120, Observes Birthday. Ottumwa, Ia.—Mrs. Mary Talbott, a former slave, celebrated her one hunder and twentieth birthday anni- versary here Christmas Day. Former Congressman Dies. Wheeling—John O. Pendleton, 62, died at his home here. He was a member 6f congress for several terms and attorney of note. Former G. A. R. Chaplain Dies Lawrence, Mass.—The Rev. George E. Lovejoy, formerly chaplain-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, died at hig home here. Coronation on December 80 Budapest.—The Hungarian parlia- ment has completed arrangements for the coronation of Emperor Charles by electing Count Tisza as paladin. The paladin is the functionary who places the crown on the king's head. Brain Runs to Cans. i National WAY UNITE TO FIGHT PRESIDENT'S PROPOSAL Railroads and Employes Considering Opposing Compulsory Arbitration. New York. —Representatives of the Conference Committee of Railways and the four brotherhoods of railroad employes resumed their meetings for the purpose of arriving at some agreement as to the appli- cation of the Adamson law in the event it is held to be constitutional by the United States Supreme Court. The meetings had been adjourned to await the award in the case of the switchmen’s arbitration, which, it was expected, might have some bear- ing on the interpretation of the Adamson act. Will Fight Legislation. It was intimated .in railroad circles that among other things which would be considered was an agreement that would bring the two forces together in a concerted effort to fight the President’s proposed compulsory ar- pitration legislation. The railroads, however, are not altogether opposed to the principle of compulsory arbi- tration, it was indicated, provided a suitable plan can be evolved looking toward the selection of arbitrators. Both sides were reported confident that a mutual understanding will be reached as to the practical interpre- tation of the Adamson act, which, it is pointed out, specifies the hours of labor, but does not make provisions for the enforcement or continuation of certain privileges and rates of compensation which the men now en- joy, and which, they believe, are ‘hreatened by the Adamson act. BOARD NAMES BANK: CENTERS Branches Will Be Established Soon— Loan Applications Now On Hand. Washington. — Twelve cities in which are to be located the federal farm loan banks were announced by the farm loan board and it is expect- od that within 60 days the new sys- tem will be in operation, ready to make the loans for which applica: tions already are pouring in from every section of the country. The banks will be set up in Spring- field, Mass., Baltimore, Columbus, S. C., New Orleans, Houston, Tex., St. Louis, Louisville, St. Paul, Omaha, Neb., Wichita, Kan., Spokane, Wash., and Berkeley, Cal. Books Open Early Next Year. Stock subscription books of the banks will be opened about January 2, to remain open for 3 days. It is expected, however, that the Govern- ment will have to supply most. of the $9,000,000 capital, under that sec tion of the law which empowers the secretary of the treasury to make up the unsubscribed stock. Directors to Be Named. Temporary directors, five to each bank, will be named by the board. As soon as the banks have been or ganized and borrowers have sub- scribed to $200,000 of the stock of each bank, the ‘temporary directors will surrender their authority to boards of nine directors each, six of whom will be named by the far mer borrowers and three by the farm loan board. The permanent directors will serve three years and they will receive per diem compen sation, as in the case of Federal re- serve bank directors. CORONATION GOWN COST $10,150 Garment Represents Work of Fifty. Persons in Fourteen Days. London.—Preparations for the Hun* garian coronation are almost com- pleted, and the ceremony will be car- ried out with the pomp of days be- fore the war. The dress of Empress Zita is of white satin covered with golden ornaments, after the model of robes worn by Hungarian queens at all coronation celebrations. It. rep- resents the efforts of 50 workers, who devoted fourteen days in mak- ing it, at a cost of $10,150. The dress will be given to the queen by a deputation headed by the Arch- duchess Augusta. THE DAY IN CONGRESS What Our Senators and Representa. tives Do in Matter of Gov- ernment. SENATE Adjourned to January 2. . Judiciary committee ordered favor- able report on national prohibition constitutional amendment. ! lution, which was referred to the for- pign relations committee, declaring the senate’s endorsement of Presi dent Wilson’s note to belligerent powers. HOUSE Adjourned to January 2. Passed diplomatic and consular ap- propriation bill, carrying $5,165,746. > Agricultural appropriation bill, car- rying $25,694,685 reported. Foot of Snow in Utah. Salt Lake City, Utah—More than 12 inches of snow fell in Utah with in 24 hours, hreaking all previous storm records. Overland trains have beén delayed many hours and street car traffic in Salt Lake City was ai a standstill. Cambridge, Mass.—Tom Abernathy, the Harvard senior, the late Prof. M@nsterberg declared had a “perfect brain, will use it to help his father can sardines. Munsterberg told him of a mist enemy patrols reached the sels the Navy Department would be gpnable to determine the total costs. Italian positions on Point No. 86. to, he said. ‘| eircles, while recognizing that anoth- Senator Hitchcock introduced reso- FIRST CHIEF | REJECTS PACT Carranza Not Satisfied With Terms of Protocol—Re- fuses Signature WASHINGTON PATIENCE GONE Commission Will Soon Resume Sit tings but Drastic Diplomatic Ac- tion is Feared if Mexican Head Persists in Present Mood. Washington.—The protocol arrang: ed by the commission of American and Mexican delegates as a working basis for the conduct of the affairs of the two governments is not satis factory to First Chief Carranza. A communication from the head of the de facto government of Mexico, ob- jecting to the terms of the protocol, was received here and was at once placed in the hands of translators to be prepared for transmission to the state department. ® was stated that the first chief questioned the fairness and equity of the arrangements made by the joint commission and sought to force a continuation of negotiations evident- ly with the hope of securing more favorable terms. What action the administration will €ake as a result of the Carranza reply could not be ascertained, but a feeling of impatience was apparent among state department officials. They declined to discuss the situa- tion, asserting that the entire matter was still in the hands of the joint commission. Representatives of the latter, which is headed by Secretary of the Interior Lane, were outspoken {n their belief that the United States government has about reached the limit of the extraordinary patience displayed toward Mexico. Commission to Get Reply. The members were opposed to any further consideration of any counter proposal which may’ be made by the de facto government of Mexico. They are understood to be prepared to recommend drastic diplomatic action unless Carranza accepts the.commis- sion’s protocol without quibble. Just how far | recommendations along this line would be indorsed by the state department and the Presi- dent and made effective is doubtful. The President throughout his deal- ings with Mexico has shown an in- clination to give the de facto gov- ernment every opportunity to work out its own salvation and diplomatic er Mexican “crisis” was at hand, were not inclined to look for an immediate break. ' They pointed out that Carranza of- ficials have failed to explain the con- tinued successes of Villa and other rebels in Northern Mexico, and that the Carranza government has sought to show that the United States atti- tude toward the border situation has been responsible for the continued outlawry. TEUTONS TAKE PRISONERS Von Mackensen Victorious in Five- Day Battle in Rumania. Berlin—Teutonic allies in Ruma- pia have captured the important town of Rimnik-Sarat, on the railroad northeast of Buzeu. The five-day battle in Eastern Wallachia resulted in the piercing of the Russian lines at several points. A total of 7,600 prisoners and 27 machine guns have been captured since December 22 by the Ninth Army and more than 1,300 prisoners by the Danube Army. $60,000,000 Worth of Food to Europe Monthly. Washington.—Foodstuffs continue to leave American ports for Europ¢ in vast quantities. Figures publish ed by the Bureau of Foreign and Do mestic Commerce show that in the first 11 months of this year, they reached a value of about $670,000,000, or at the rate of more than $60,000. 000 a month. Breadstuffs lead. In the 11 months they reached a total of $404,000,000. Meat and dairy pro ducts amounted to $246,000,000. Ship- ments of cattle, hogs and sheep fell off. High School Burns. Fargo, N. D.—Fifty-six members of a night school class narrowly es- caped injury when fire destroyed the High School building and adjoining property. The loss was estimated at $100,000. = Joffre to Be Marshal. Paris—The government has decid ed to raise General Joffre to the dignity of Marshal of France in rec ognition of his services to the coun try. . Potato Crops Fall Short. Rome.—The International Institute of Agriculture reports poor potata crops in the Northern hemisphere. Its provisional estimates are 201,000, 000 quantals for nine countries, in: cluding the United States, Canada, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Italy, Bishop Henry J. Richter Dies. Grand Rapids, Mich.—The Rt. Rev. Henry J. Richter, bishop of the Ro man Catholic diocese of Grand Rap {ds since 1883, died of pneumonia. Japan, and also England, Ireland and FATHER OF THE GOVERNOR DEAD The Rev. G. B. Brumbaugh Helped Lay Out Village in Which He Lived. Huntingdon, Pa.—The Rev. George Boyer Brumbaugh, father of the gov- ernor, died in his home at Markles- burg. He was 82 years of age and had been seriously ill for two weeks. At his bedside when death came were 1 two sons, Frank J. and Irvin Brum- baugh. ‘Gov: Brumbaugh visited his father recently. The Rev. Mr. Brum- baugh rallied a few days ago and ap- peared to be somewhat better, but was taken by a sudden sinking spell and died a short time later. Born in Huntingdon County. Mr. Brumbaugh was a son of Jacob and Rachel Brumbaugh and was born in Penn township, Huntingdon coun- ty, July 12, 1834. He worked on his father’s farm and attended the public schools near his home. He later at- tended one term in a subscription school at Marklesburg for branches of study not taught in the public school. He began teaching school in 1849 and continued at it six terms, after which he was ordained to the minis- try of the Church of the Brethren. Mr. Brumbaugh was well known in Huntingdon county and was, distin- guished from his cousin, the Rev. George Brumbaugh, by the residents of the community through the nick- name, “Talking George” Brumbaugh. Both ministers were active workers in Marklesburg. ' One of Marklesburg’s Founders. Mr. Brumbaugh was called upon ta make a survey of the original village of Marklesburg. He was one of the first members of the borough council and was postmaster there 24 years. November 21, 1855, Mr. Brumbaugh married Miss Martha Peightal Grove, who died in 1908. To the couple four children were born, Amanda, who died in her early childhood, and the three sons. POPULAR VOTE GROWS Increase in Population and Woman Suffrage Add Many Ballots. New York.—Complete official re- turns on the presidential election show that Mr. Wilson received 9,- 116,296 votes and Mr. Hughes 8,647,- 474, a plurality of 568,822 for Mr. Wilson. 4 The vote for Mr. Benson, Socialist candidate for President, was 750,000, with eight missing states, and for Mr. Hanly, Prohibition candidate, 225,101. The total popular vote for the four candidates was 18,638,871, as against 15,045,322 in 1912. This is an in- crease of 3,593,645, accounted for by . increased population and the women vote in the new suffrage states. NEITHER PARTY HAS MAJORITY Independents Hold Balance of Power In Congress. Washington. — Revised figures on returns of the last election show definitely that neither Democrats nor Republicans will have a majority of the next house necessary to elect a speaker, and that a handful of in- dependents will determine which side will control the organization. The personnel now stands: Repub- licans, 214; Democrats, 213; Inde- pendents, 2; Progressives, 2; Prohibi- tionist, 1; Socialist, 1; contested, 2. A majority is 218, hence, should either Democrats or Republicans win both of the contests they still would be short of a majority. Ford Plant Closed. Detroit.—The Ford Motor Company closed its plant for seven days to relieve railroad congestion, that car- loads of food and fuel may be han- dled. The suspension will mean a production loss of approximately 2,- 500 cars a day. The normal coal consumption of 13 cars daily will be curtailed to the amount needed to keep the plant above the freezing temperature. , Forty-two thousand men are made idle by the order, meaning a wage loss for the week of $1,400,000. French Seeress Dead. \ Paris.—Mme. de Thebes, famout as an astrologist and clairvoyant, died at her country residence 1 Meung-Sur-Laire, aged 72 years. TL real name of Mme. de Thebes was Anna Victorine Savigny. She was a well-known personality in Paris and possessed innumerable secrets con- cerning the private lives of men and women of note. Raising Fund for Ambulance. : Madison, Wis.—A committee of stu- dents of the University of Wisconsin has been named to raise $1,600 before January 1 to equip a Wisconsin ambu- lance to be manned by university men for use in the European battie- fields. Tug Strikes Battleship. Norfolk, Va.—The battleship ware was rammed and a hole feet in diameter stove in her above the waterline by the tug Sonoma at the Navy Yard. was injured. Dela- three stern naval None Admiral Dewey Is 79. Washington.—Admiral Dewey is 78 years old and Secretary Daniels and Scotland, where the crops are the lowest on record. The figures for Germany and Austria are not avail | able. i | his counsel and most of the high | ranking officers of the Navy made their congratulations in person at his \ office.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers