Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

J 1 - r y. IP COWKS IjU SEIMtll WIVES INI tmUANS FOIIPXET OF INfADEIS L. j COMMIT WILDEST CRIMES Villag«ti Burned Without (’aiu*e, Men, Hoya and Women Tortured and Slain, Wives and Daughters Out* . « ' raged^—Russian Regular Troops -fNot Guilty. ' On October 17 The World publish ed a special cablegram from its staff correspondent at Berlin, declaring that the “Cossack atrocities would shock civilization.” On Saturday The W§Hd published a detailed ac count of his personal investigation. Portions of it are given below: To investigate the charges of bar barism—of atrocities that were seem ingly incredible—l have made a tour of the province of East Prussia in be half of The World. The journey, from the start in Berlin until the re turn, took me over something like «,000 miles and carried me into more than forty cities and villages, where I gathered at first hand the evidence of the manner in which the Russians (for the most part Cossacks) make war. Torture, murder, incendiarism, robbery and attacks on women. These were five characteristics that marked the Cossacks wherever they appeared as the advance guards of the Russian armies in their so-called “march on Berlin.” As I had heard charges of outrages against troops as made in Prance and England and had been able to find, on the occasions little real basis for the accusations. 1 en tered upon the investigation with mind disposed to believe that the ar- i-ounts were overdrawn and that the alleged misconduct had been Justi fied iierhap* by the rules of war.. liut I found the acutla conditions to be .so bud, the pity of unchecked pas dons so terrible that the account al most defies belief. And It should be said that, on the other hand, the Germans who later entered Russia In pursuit of the flee ing armiee of the Czar were held un der such an iron discipline that not one single instance was he able to 'gather of misconduct on their part Every soldier was held personally re sponsible to his direct officer and they in turn held accountable to their su periors so that there could be no mis behavior without an immediate reck oning, German Troops Welcomed. It may be that the charges against the Germans that were made In Bel gium had a salutary effect: but what ever the reason It is simple justice to say that the soldiers in Russia never once departed from the iron rules governing the military In their rela tions with the civilians. I personally saw and spoke to many Inhabitants of Russian villages—and they rejoic ed In tbe coming of the Germans and v were free in expressing the hope that they would htay. One other point should be brought out at the beginning and that is that Gen. Kmiienkr.mp. chief commander of the Csar's northern armies, per sonally opposed the excesses of his troops and whenever he wss present himself the conduct of the men was better. But the greater part of the actrocitles were Committed by the wild, lawless marauders, the Cos sacks, who have only a thin, tenuous connection with the regular forces and who allow themselves the great est limits in their raids in advance of the main bodies. The little old village of Santoppen, or what had been Santoppen, spoke iputely of tbe meaning of war as I ^BVude into it along a road dotted with ^^igraves that marked the bitter fight ing that took place all hrough the Landkreiz Russel of East Prussia. Here and there were shells of houses, blackened and shaky, monuments made by Russian torches. On the streets of the village, that once sheltered something like a thou sand inhabitants, there were to be seen only a few old men and women, with here and there younger menj that who had been refugees and thus es caped the fury that swept to death every male inhabitant of the village between the ages of fourteen and seventy, who were tfiete on Augdst 29. Twenty-one persons were shot by the Cossacks, two of them women, and the story of the shooting is as biting a piece of tragedy as my tour brought out. ‘ , The story was outlined by Gott fried Horn, an eighty-two-year-old in mate of the poor house, who was per mitted to sit on the porch of the asylum and sec most of the atrocities committed. His story was confirmed in minute detail by seven others and supported further by the official mili tary and civil reports. "The village workman, Rambock, from Heinrichsdorf, close by us here,” said Horn, “was shot while he worked in the fields by the Russians on August 28. The widow, came to Santoppen to have' Pastor Werner sing a mass for him and paid extra , money to have the church bell toll the death knell. The Cossackf had been among us for two days. They had been away for a few hours, and when they rode back they heard the church bell ring. They said It was meant for an algnn. "The Father told them that It was -that there were no German j)B near and that the body of ibock even 'hen lay in the church. ‘But they listened not. They pull ed the pastor from hjs church and be)ri him while three of: them want iihl|> and killed them owe at a Afae.. I was the oply man left In the village. There was Pastor Werner, and ProL Kalwelt, the teacher; and Farmer Wel^e, Harneesmaker Stockdreher, Faner Kaae, Carpenter Rtttel and hls young son, Workman Neuwald and many more of my friends. They wete all killed. "The thirteen stood with their backs to the wall, and as they were Shot they fell forward on their faces. Then the Cossacks found the elghty- year-old sister and the twenty-seven- year-oRT niece of Prof. Kalwelt and shot them too. Alter that they rode through the town to the farms on the outside and shot down six more who were at work In the potato fields.” - Santoppen, after the massacre, was put to the torch, but not before the CoBsackgJiad mistreated ten women. Elizabeth Rittel, fifty-eight years old, was attacked eight times in the pres ence of her husoand and son, who afterward w«*re shot. Ninety-year- old Storekeeper Jofkowsky was com pelled to hand over what money he had and was asked the whereabouts of his two granddaughters He gave up hls money, but three times refused to tell where the girls were hidden. At the last refusal he was shot down In his shop and the place set on fire. The girls were found and overpower ed. With the earlier troops of Cossacks who ravaged East Prussia there were to be found organized camp followers who took off the hands of the raiders the plunder they gathered. I was told in Russia that scores upon scores of freight cars had passed the bound aries loaded down with booty obtain ed in the first sweep made through Germany. Abschwangen, a scant ten miles from the big city of Konigsberg which the Russians hoped to take un til von Hintenburg upset their plans. Fifty-eight were killed here all civi lians, as Indeed was the case in all the instances I am reporting. The reason given was that the Cossacks had been fired upon. They had not, but by uhlan patrols that had ad vanced from the fortress of Konigs berg to mix it a little with the foe. In addition to the fifty-eight killed here, there were ten men carried off into captivity. It should be said that this also characterized the Cossacks’ raids. From rach village came the name report that from five to twenty men and boys had been taken away by the cavalrymen, some of whom have not been heard of since, while others have been found dead. In almost every village which the Cossacks visited they applied the torch. Each Cosaack carries In hls equipment little strips of thin cellu- lold-like material that blazes like oil. Cossack prisoners in German hands each have these strips, and they were found scattered about the burned vil lages by the correspondents. The stage was not set for the in vestigation. The towns visited were chosen from those In the thick of the East Prussian Invasion, and we were permitted to talk to any witnesses we chose. Frequently detours would be made and villages visited that were not Included in the plan, and from these came even more gruesome ac counts than from those on the regu lar list. The German government made no conditions in connection with the tour except that a truthful report of conditions be made. The party in eluded representatives from the press of neutral countries Besides The World correspondent there were men from the Associated Press, the United Press and the New York Staats- Zeitung In addition to the four Americans there were three Italian journalists, two from Holland and one from Norway. The country traversed was marked by Idle fields, dead factories, and scarcely a tree was left standing. They had been cut down by both armies. Twice the party crossed into Rus sia and there we had an opportunity of studying contrasts. Frequently - the Russian villages would be burned and damaged by gun fire, but that was true only when they had been in the fire zone. la not one case of six Russian villages did I find a case of wanton destruction. In severel of the villages the in habitants were still there going on about their daily pursuits as If they were not in the hands of foreign foes. And the Jews among the border towns on the Russian side did not hesitate to make known their hope the Germans would stay and never let the Russians return. It seems .that In their flight through their own country the Cossacks did not hesitate to plunder th<ir own countrymen. Truly their spears Seemed to know no brothers. BAIUN Nil FUNEWIIBEI INCREASES TUKKN’S ENTRY INTO VAR IAT EXTEND FIGHTING , TURKS MOVE INTO EGYPT Russia and Great Retain Were Ex- ** • peeling Such a Step by Ottoman Empire—Russia Intends to Force Bulgaria Into the War by Making Her Oioose Between Contestants. IVEI SIX niDSINI KISINS f EIEIILLED IN IBIS DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS United States is Probably the Home Tlian Any Clvllazed Country—Fire Arms Cause (12.1 Per Cent of Deaths. . A U €h‘ with Farmer Weiss, who was pushed ahead by bayonets, to every house in the village where ther$ was a man. They found thirteen. Then they stood these up against the wall of the gast- haus and shot their down one after the other. They did not fire together, to try their ^Iphenstein, one of the larger t of the eastern section of the At towns province, th^re were only regular Russian troops, and these behaved well, according to the report given by Burgomeister David. In fact, when only regular troops were the invad ers,-the conduct was generally good. This statement is made on the au thority of Count van Schlieffen, gen eral-commander of the Twentieth German army corps, in an interview I had with him. At Soldau, an important town near the border, the Russians behaved well during the occupancy, but when they retreated the CoSsacks went Into the Kranken Haus and killed in their beds five old men and two women. A fourteen-year-old girl sick In bed was killed by lance thrusts through her head. In the vicinity of -this town there was a total of eleven killed and of these six were women. As the Cossacks entered Neiden- burg, an unfortified town after two hour* bombardment, they shot down the streets at every figure they saw. This wgs at the beginning of the in vasion. and it may be they feared ambush. Twenty were killed In the first boor, including two little girls. This In spite of the fact that the bur- gomaatar-had trisd. to arrange with Turkish troope, which had been on lot with Austria and Germany, and if Portugal is counted there now are eleven powers at war, with prospects of three more—Greece, Bulgaria and Roumania—bejng drawn in. The note which Great Britain pre sented to Turkey on Friday last de manding an explanation of the ac tions of the Turkish fleet in the Black Sea and the dismantling of the form er German 'cruisers, the Goeben an.d the Breslau, was really an ultimatum to which Turkey was requjred to make a reply, by Saturday evening. So far as is known, telegraphic communication with Turkey being in terrupted, no answer was made and the ambassadors of the Triple En tente at the Ottoman capital, it is understood, demanded and received their passports. Turkjsh troops, which had been on the Egyptian border for some time, already are reported to have crossed the frontier, while the Turkish fleet continues to menace Russian towns and shipping in the Black eSa. Neither Russian nor Great Britain was unprepared for this move by Tur key, and the alljed powers have forces on hand to oppose a Turkish invasion. When the regular forces were with drawn from Egypt to take part in the war in Europe they immediately were replaced by troops from home much greater in number at least. The problem both for England and Russia, however, Is the attitude of their Moslem subjects, who, under ordinary circumstances, would prefer not to fight against Turkey. In this war, however, they have rallied to their flag, as have all other races un der British or Russian rule, and care Is bejng taken to explain to thwi that In this case Turkey, under the direc tion of Germany, has been the aggres sor. ^ . Another problem relates to the at titude of Roumftnla. Bulgaria and Greece. Bulgaria, owing her exist ence to Russia and being under many obligations to Great Britajn. besides being desirous of securing Thrace as tar east an the Knos-Midia line, which she was awarded by the I.ondon con ference after the first Balkan war, but which Turkey retook when Bul garia was attacked by Greece and Servla, would naturally side with the Entente. But she objects, politjeal observers point out. to fighting side by side with Greece and Servla. Russia, however, is expected to ask Bulgaria definitely on which side she is ranged, as her mere neutrality under the circumstances appears in sufficient. Should she join the Aus trians and Germans, Roumania is al most certain to declrre for the Allies, and Greece, even before this may de cide to take her revenge on Turkey. In fact. It is believed her treaty with Servla would compel her to take ac tion should the latter be attacked by Bulgaria or Turkey Italy, too, Is brought nearer to war by the entrance of Turkey, for she has large Mediterranean possessions to protect. A great Impression ha>- been pro duced in Rome by an article appear ing in tbe Russian newspaper Novoe Vremya, which is considered in Ital ian cjrcles to be an ultimatum for the Balkan states and also a warning for the neutral countries. “The Balkans,” the newspaper says, "can not forget their past slav ery and that they became free chiefly through Russian intervention. Now the moment has come, not for words, but for deeds. Whoever is not with us is against us. “Bulgaria, freed by Russia, can not remain a spectator in the war. Her last attempt at accord wjth an enemy of Russia will be considered treason. Bulgaria must choose between Tur key and Russia. v ~ “At the end of the war only the participators in the gigantic conflict,” the newspaper closes, “will be invited to the banquet. Whoever thinks he will snatch i. mouthful wjthout hav ing made the necessary sacrifices will be much mistaken.” ^ pm imHIH BATTLE BEGUN AGAIN IN NORTH- ERN PART OF FRANCK. German Army Rested And Reinforced Renews Attempt to Gain Cities on the Coast. , “ 'J * Rested, and with fresh reinforce ments supporting them, the German troops who have been battling in Bel gium and the north of France are re- IKIEfEUlt FtSBATtN B ieait vm iniim of More Homicides in Proportion hewing thejr efforts to push their way through the French, British and Bel- the Cossacks so that the ocqupation would be peacable. He was threat ened with death if he opened his month, after his first offer had been refuged. Five sisters in the hospital here were overpowered, two dying later from the violence of tbe attacks. Three witnesses testified to having seen Shumanski Madkin, twenty-four years old, have his nose cut off and hls eyes put out before ho was pierc ed through with lances. And there were witnesses to the story told by a forty-eight-year-old woman that die had been attacked by sixteen Cos sacks and other who told how a six teen-year-old girl had been mistreat ed by fourteen of the marauders. In Rastenburg, one of the larger towns, twenty-one civilians were shot and fifty-two taken into captivity on the ground that shots had been fired from the houses. Port of the city was fired. At Gardauen on September 8 twenty civilians. Including one wo man, were shot down. This act is charged against the regular Russian soldiery, for each 'Of the witnesses is certain that there were no Cossacks there. At this place a mother and married daughter were overpowered and attacked in the presence of their husbands, who were later shot. The -troops ransacked the Landrath’s hettsa and destroyed uiuij lMui tiu.j could move. Then they cut the throat of a pig and dreesed him In the Land- rath’f clothes snd Irid him in a bed they made on the front porch. t It Is a curious play of thwCossack psychology that frequently when they have been guilty of the ntsrmost bar barism they burn their victims sad Murder is on the increase in the United States, accord'ng to statistics compiled by Frederick L. Hoffman for The Spectator, an insurance publi cation. He says that homicides were never so frequent in this country as they are at the present time, and that the proportion of women to men vic tims is one to four. Mr. Hoffman found that about^G,- 500 persons met death by murder last year, and that this was the largest number of homicides since reliable statistics became available in 1884 t with the exception of the panic year of 1907. In that year the rate went up to 8.8 for every 100,000 of the population, while in 1913 the rate was 8.7 per 100,000. The figures gathered by Mr. Hoff man were meant for the use of insur ance companies. He made no partic ular effort, he said, to determine how many of the deaths could be classed as "justifiable homicides,” and how many resulted from abnormal mental conditions on the part of the.slayers. He said: "The insurance companies have to pay just the same whether the homicide in any given case was justifiable or not.” Mr. Hoffman found that the vital statistics and criminal records for the United States as a whole were very badly kept. "There are no general statistics as to crime," he said, “which are net more misleading that they are in forming There are no general sta tistics for the country as a whole which afford insight into the question of whether any given crime was com mitted by a normal or an abnormal person And, moreover, there are abundant reasons for believing that some violent deaths are returned in coroners' reports as accidents because of the reluctance on the part of the jurors to establish felonious c^ime. Mr. Hoffman prepared with special care the homicide records of the thir ty most populous American cities, both for a thirty-year period ending with 1912 and for the yegr 1913 Here is the way they rate In the order of their comparative freedom from murders for the ten years end ed in 1912: Milwaukee. Newark Rochester. Minneapolis, Hartford Buffalo. Reading, Penn.; Philadel phia, Baltimore. Brooklyn. Boston, Dayton, Pittsburgh. Providence, Man hattan and the Bronx. Cleveland. Bpokanc. Washington. D. C.: Seattle, Cfilcago. Cincinnati. San Francisco. St. Louis. Lousvllle, Nashville, At lanta, New Orleans, Savannah, Char leston. S. C.: Memphis, Tenn. The homicides in Memphis which attained the highest rate amounted *o 58.3 per 100,000 of the population for the ten years' average. For last year the homicides amounted to 68 per 100,000. In Milwaukee, the city at the other extreme of the list, there were only 2.2 murders for each 100, 000 of the population, and the in crease for last year was 1.2 per 100.- 000. Charleston. 8. C., lowered its record last year from 30.6 to 30.1 per 100,000, while Louisville, San Fran cisco, Seattle. Washington, D. C.; F^vldence, R. I., and Reading, Penn., also showed slight decreased. In all of the other cities there were increases. In Manhattan and the Bronx there were t,473 murders from 1 903 to 1912, making a rate of about midway in the list of-principal cities of 5.7 per 100,000. The gain for last year was 1.4 per 100,000 The urban rate for last year was 0.4 per 100,000 of population in ex cess of the urban rate for 1812, while the 1912 rate showed an increase of nearly 100 per cent, over the rate which prevailed from 1890 to 1900 .In 1905 the first marked Increase since 1884 began. The rate for that year increased to 6.7 per 100,000. In 1906 it reached 7.9 per 100,000, and in 1907 It reached 8.8 per 100,000 the largest total yet recorded! The falling off which began in 1908 brought the record for that year down to 8.1 per 100,000, while in 1900 It dropped still lower, to 7.5 per 100,000. In 1910 the rate climbed to 8.3 per 100,000, In 1911 it mounted to 8.4 per 100,000, and remained practically-stationary In 1912, after which it jumped to 8.7 per 100,000 The lowest record scored was in 1890 when the rate was 4.2 per 100,000 “Accepting the present returns as accurate,” said Mr. Hoffman, “it may safely be maintained that thejposition of the United States in the matter of violent deaths is decidedly deplor able. Every international comparison proves that the homicide rate of the United States is probably the highest for any civilized Country In the world “Of the victims of murder, the largest number were between 20 and 29 years of age, while the next larg est number were between 30 and 40 years of. age. Of aiptke homicides recorded since IOjOZT 62.1 per cent, were by fire arms, 15.9 by knives or sharp Instruments, and 22 per cent, by poison, strangulation, or other means.” Mr. Hoffman found that the homi cide rate of New York, 5.5 from 1907- 1911, was six times that of London nearly thrqt timeg tljgt of Berlin and - A*.- . -Bn. wia gian lines to ports on the English channel. Not only ,there, but in the Argonne region and the Woevre dis trict, the fighting has been of the fiercest character. It is said the thun dering of the guns of the British war- shjps off Ostend can be heard on the English coast. In all these engagements the dead and wounded are multiplying, bnt thousands are taking their places. The transport of the wounded Into the zone of safety, where they can ro- ceivcyproper attention, is providing a problem that has not been solved. Nurses and surgeons are inadequate for the care of those who have fallen. The Allies have brought up land and sea forces in an endeavor to check this second effort of the Ger mans to establish themselves on the French coast, from whjch they hope to menace England.' A Berlin official report Saturday announced that the German troops had occupied Ramscapelle, on the railway and canal between Nieuport and. Dixmude, but the French official communication said they were driven out by a counterattack On the whole, therefore, it would appear that the situation on this most important battle fron jn the European war remains much as it was when the Germans, through ex haustion a few days ago. ceased their heavy artillery fire for rest. The French report tells of Various advances and loanes, but these usual ly, so far as distance are concerned, can be marked in feet or yards, and the advance made a few days ago by the British in Belgium of 1,200 yards was considered remarkable. Throughout the great battle front there has been a repetition of attacks and counterattacks, wjth at times pronounced thinning of the lines. The Germans made a particularly violent attack east of Bolsaons, on the Aisne, and, according to the German report, drove the French across the river. The East Prussian situation is again the scene of a big battle. The Germans for fire days carried out heavy offensjve movements, but, ac cording to the Rusaian reports, were repulsed, with immense losses. In Poland the Germans are report ed to be falling back to new positions near their own - frontier, while in Galicia tbe fighting continues, wjth out material change. ALDEIT APPEALS TD il 1 , i. Belgian King Writes Personal Appeal to American People, Asking Them to Feed and Clothe Hls Starving People—American Relief Commit tee in Belgium Tells of Needs. Zeppelin Over Paris. A Zeppelin flew over Paris Wednes day and dropped six bombs, three of which did considerable damage. Is the news from Amsterdam. French aer oplanes went np to attack the air ship but did her no harm. V ♦♦♦ English Cruiser Hank. The British cruiser Hermes. 5,600 tons, was torpedoed by a German sub marine Saturday, while in the Straits of Dover. Of her crew of 300 only 40 are missing (100 (100 Sunk Fourteen VCseeU. A dispatch from Constantinople says the Turkish fleet sunk fourteen Russian transports and destroyed sev eral warehouses and a wireless sta tion Vaughan Adjudged Insane. Physicians reporting to the attor ney general have declared T. U. Vaughan, under sentence to die for criminally assaulting a young gifl, is Insane. Killed by Shot Gun. Columbus Pratt, 21, of Chester, thoughtlessly pitched hls rifle into a wagon Saturday while It was cocked. The contents went Into hls'heart, killing him instantly. Killed by Football. Injuries received In a football game resulted In the death Sunday at Brownsville, Tex., of Dudley Goth- rup, aged 18. Italian Cabinet Disrupted. Because of a difference of opinion as to the laying pf a direct tax the entire Italian cabinet has resigned. A new ministry Is being formed. Interest in Our Hands. Great Britain and France have turned over their Interests in Turkey to the care of the diplomats of the United States. Thousand Bales Horned. Farmers from all over ’Washing ton county, Ga., rushed to Davlsboro Sunday to fight a fire which burned ,1,450 bales of cotton. Indians Aid Japanese. It Is announced in London that East India troops are aiding the Japa nese in their investment of Tsing Tau. . ■ Paris. He urge* that statistics be mrefnlly prepared as to the kind of weapons used, so that laws mav he passed to limit the possession of the most dangerous weapons and drugs. impiously. graves. over the Belgians Flood the Land The Yser csn&l has been let out of its banka by the Belgians in an en dekvor to force a retreat of the Ger- maa8 ' laopalatjon. Thg t - • “weaTtny- anu‘Weir The Rockefeller Foundation determined to employ its immense resources for relief of non-combai- ants In the countries affected by the war..' It stands ready to give “mil lions of dollars, if necessary.” This was announced Sunday night by'John D. Rockefeller Jr., president of the Foundation. At a cost of 1275,000, It already has chartered a ship and loaded It with 4,000 tons of provisions for Bel gian relief. The ship Is the Massa- pequa, the largest neutral vessel now In New York harbor. It will tall Tuesday mornjng direct for Rotter dam with a certification from the British consul that Its cargo is des tined for use of Belgian non-combat ants only. The supplies will be dis tributed by the Belgian relief com- mjsslon. “This action will bnt supplement the public spirited efforts of the Bel gian relief committee,” said Mr. Rockefeller In announcing the Fouo- [ datum's plan. “That the necessity is vjtal and worthy of the hastiest sup port Is Indicated by the following cablegrams from Mr. Page, the Amer ican ambassador at London: Belgians on verge of starvation. I emphatically regard It most oppor tune to help. I have never known such a case of need. British govern ment forbids export of food and no food can be bought on continent. Help needed is food and clothing for women and chjtdren.* Tt will require a million dollars a month for seven or eight months to prevent starvation, la fact, many will starve now before food can reach them. No food can be bought and exported from any country in Europe. No other time will come la any land when there can be greater need. Do not send money. Bay six parts wheat, two parts rjee, two pans beans and ship in neutral ships consigned to American consul at Rotterdam. In form me when you ship and 1 will arrange all diplomatic requirement* for landing, for transmit to Belgium and for dtstrtbutjoo in small quanti ties by the commission of relief, which as a means of reaching all the people have taken over nil grocery stores.* The cargo of the Maaeapeqaa will constat of: Twenty-eight thousand Ire hun dred barrels of flour. Fourteen thousand pounds each) of rice. Three hundred bags (300 pounds each) of beans. One thousand bo: each) of bacon. “The British consul baa agreed to certify that these supplies are abso lutely for tbe aid of non-combatants.** On Saturday In a personal appeal, written w bile he was under ftre in the battle before Dunkirk, Albert, King of the Belgians, asks tbe American people (or food for hls starring peo ple. The message reads: “I am Informed that American of ficials and cltjzena In Belgium and England are working to sr.ve my peo ple from the horrors of the famine which now threatens them. It la a great comfort to me In this boor of sorrow and mlofortane to feel that a great-hearted, disinterested people is directing Its efforts to reljevtng the distress of the unoffending civilian population of my country. “Despite all that can be done the suffering In the coming winter will be terrjble, but the burden we must bear will be lightened If my people can be spared the panga of hanger, with its frightful consequences of disease and violence. **T confidently hope that the appeal of the American commission will meet with a generous response. The whole-hearted friendship of Amerjca shown my people at this time always will be a precious memory. * “Albert.’* The American commission for re lief in Belgium is an official body rec ognized by the varjotu governments for the transmission of foodstuffs In to Belgium. It Is the only channel through which food can be Introduc ed Into Bedglum, and by its associa tion with a committee ;n Belgium has the only efficient agency for the dis tribution of food within that country. Mr. H. C. Hoover, chairman of the commission, which has headquarters In London, makes an appeal to all American newspapers. In which he says: * “We have received reports from members of this commission who were sent into Belgium. They have the assistance of the National Com mittee bf Relief and its branches throughout Belgium, together with the help of the American mfbisters and consuls and local officials. Their reports show that there are still some 7,000,000 people in Belgium. In many central, the people are receiving an allowance of a little more tbap three onncee of flour per capita dally. “This is not a question of charity or relief to tbe chronically poor—It la a question of feeding an entire Allies Difen an Advance. A dispatch 'from London says the general Impression is that the Allies are, planning s general advance. w ♦ » * 4,000 Fire destroyed 4,000 bales of cot ton at Moultrie, Ga., Satardaf. poor. It touches eveiry home In Bel gium. Our experts calculate that in order to avoid actual glum must bare every me S qp of 00,000 tana of' as of corn. >,000 teas of ; or lard.’*