Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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mm SDBHAIINE POUCY CIANOEB TO SUIT D. S. - mi+v 'mmpm- SMS vil GIVE VAIMMi ..ms. »* fEHuuis pysH ON “ » Germui Ambassador Supplies Inlor- mation and Associated Press Sajs Germany Had Already Adopted a Policy Which Would Prevent Any ; > • • '' y ■ ■ * Repetition of the Lusitania. Two important developments in the relations between the United States and Germany have further re duced the tensity of the situation and are taken to foreshadow a declara tion from Berlin on the subject of submarine warfare which would eliminate a source. of discord be tween the two countries. Count von Bernstorff, the Ger man ambassador, cal leu on Secre tary J^ansing Thursday and in formed him that the statement- sen ted Tuesday by direction of the Berlin foreign office saying there was no intent to cause loss of American lives when the White Star liner Arabic was destroyed was intended to imply that German submarine commanders had been ordered to attack no more mer chantmen without warning. Ambassador Gerard, reporting from Berlin the substance of a con ference with Foreign Minister von Jagow, confirmed Associated Press dispatclies that Germany, even be fore the sinking of the Arabic, had adopted a policy designed to settle completely Uve whole submarine problem. W ON RENEWED STRIKE London Reports That Twenty-Five Thouanad Have Already Quit Work. London, Friday: Reports from the South Wales coal flelda Friday after noon state that twenty-flye thousand miners already have joined the new strike. The recurrence of labor troubles Is due to growing dissatisfaction with' the award of Walter Runcimsn, pres ident of the Board of Trade, who was arbitrator in the recent strike. The situation was strained further When the collieries learned that Mr. Runciman had declined do see a dep utation. The miners charges Mr. Runciman with going behind the> ar rangement made by David Llpyd- George and demand that Mr. Lloyd- George make good his promises to them. Dispatches from Cardiff when the strike was settled last month said that the terms accepted by the miners provided for a substantial increase in wages and other concessions to the strikers which were considered by them as tantamount to an admlssiop of the correctness of their claims oh nearly all points. Mr. Lloyd-George won the men over not only by promising conces sions but emphasizing the fact that uninterrupted operations of the coal mines was highly essential to the conduct of the war. Mr. Runciman’s award contained wage concessions but rejected a number of demands re lating to working conditions, hours of lyabor and arbitration arrangements. RAINS AND SWAMPS CHECK TEUTONIC MARCH EASTWARD RUSSIANS ABANDON STR0N6EST FORTRESS IN EUROPE EVACUATE BRESTUTOYSK TO WARD OFF PRORIBniON i m The Associated Press sent out a dispatch from Berlin on Thursday saying “it was in a position to state on the best authority that the Arabic Incident ipay be considered as elimi nated as a source of discord between Germany and America; or at least Is regarded by the German government in that light. ‘"Moreover, Germany in Us desire to continue Us friendly relations with the United States had adopted before the sinking of the Arabic a policy de signed to settle completely the whole >aubmarine problem as affecting America on the basis of good will and muture understanding. ‘‘This Is shown clearly by the statement of Chancellor von Beth- man-Hotiweg Wednesday night to the Associated Press, particularly by his concluding remark to the effect that not until all the circumstances In connection with the sinking of the Arabic had been cleared up woyld It be possible to say ‘whether the com manded of one of our submarines went beyond his instructions,' in which case Germany would give com plete satisfaction to the United 'States. "Ivurlng the conversation, the chancellor twice again referred to the intttractions given to the submarine commanders. He did not specify in iletail Uie nature of these Instruc tions, hut it may be said that they are designed to_prevent a repetition of the t>ufnanla case anil to provide the opportunity for escape for Ameri can non-combatants upon torpedoed ships which the United States desires. Having given these instructions, Germany asked suspension of Judg ment on thV Arabic case until the facts were ascertained, being confi dent it will be showh that the sink ing of the vessel was not an unpro voked attack without warning by a German submarine, but was attribu table either to a mine explosion or to some action of the vessel itself. Should it develop, however, that a submarine acted contrary to instruc tions, ample reparation will be offer- ed. “Germany is still unable to under- tand why Americans in these trou bled times traveNgn belligerent ships Instead of taking American or other neural-steamers, blit since they, in some instances Insist upon taking pas sage on vessels belonging to belliger ents, Germany will do its utmost to provide for their safety. ‘‘It is not permissible to quote re marks made by the chancellor in the course of the conversation, other than the formal statement which he made. It may be said, however, that Dr. Bethmann-Hollweg showed genuine interest inAhe state of feeling in the United States concerning the sinking - of the Arabic and expressed the hope that the American people would not form an opinion on the basis of the conflicting statements giving only one aide of the sto^y. He spoke with emphasis- of Germany’s desire to ^maintain the friendship of America. “The chancellor appeared to be In good health and spirits and greatly encouraged by the successes achieved 7 by the Germans In the eastern cam paign. The interview was of short duration, as the chancellor was hur rying away for a conference .with Emperor William at his field head quarters." ! The dispatch from Ambassador Gerard confirming the above state ment that Germany had adopted a submarine policy designed to settle the question was not made public, but the optimism immediately re flected at the state department and the White House was taken; as con vincing proof that the situation was on the way to a settlement. The more hopeful officials thought the crisis had passed and inferred that the views which Ambassador von ernstorff had been urging upon Ber- ever since the sinking of the Lus- had prevailed with the support the Liberals in Germany, who have been opposing the anti-American pol icy of . the Conaervativea.* Secratary Lansing, while ontward- 1 ly encouraged, was reserved, await- aose definite declaration from Berlin and the tame attitude was re- fleeted at the White House, where it was indicated that President Wilson, ~ at the proepect of avart- Austrian Cavalry Enter Railway — Junction to the Southeast of Huge Russian Fortress. Ix>n<lon, Wednesday: The furious efforts of the Austro-German lines along the eastern front the last twen ty-four hours have not been as fruitful as usual in respect to the amount of ground gained, which is taken to mean that they have reached the swamp region. German and Austrian reports state that further advances have been achieved south of Brest-Litovsk and that the Pulva River line has been passed. Austrian cavalry has entered Kovel and is said to be advancing to the north, but the outflanking move ment will he confronted by the bar rier formed by the river Pripet and the adjacent marshes. The German press, recognizing this difficulty, points out that the armies of the central powers face a serious obstacle In the immense and roadless Pripet swamps, while the leading Hungarian newspapers describe the tactical position of the Russians as extremely favorable. Another explanation of the pause in Austro-German advance against Brest-Litovsk Is that the Invaders are being held up by continual rain From' the other fronts there have been reported no important actions. that tl -^.‘JBerns ^ffthe ing a break, still was keeping his mind open until all the details are cleared up. One fact was Outstanding in the whole situation. It was that a fur ther communication is coming from Germany outlining a policy which is expected to be satisfactory to the United States. It is understood that Germany will announce a suspension of her submarine warfare on passen ger-carrying ships and that subma rine commanders will be instructed not to sink any merchantmen with out warning pending a diplomatic discussion of a proposal for a modus vivendl for relaxation of the British blockade against neutral commerce. From such information as Jiad reached Washington it was apparent that the sinking of the Arabic—as suming that the ship was sunk by a submarine—was as much of a sur prise in Germany as it was to the rest of the world, for although it has not yet been officially stated, It Is be^ Ueved that Gfirman submarine com manders, after the sinking of the Lusitania, received instructions to avoid another such disaster. It was suggested in diplomatic quarters that, which Germany has avoided making a public announce ment of that fadt, she now was in a position to do so, because of the vic tories of the German arms in Poland. The same sources pointed out that the victories of the German armies aided the Liberal forces in Germany, which have been contending for the views which Count von Bernstorff has been urging on his foreign offite. The Berlin news dispatches refer ring to the German chancellor’s dec laration that Germany had adopted a policy designed to settle the ques tion puzzled American officials, and even those In German quarters. It was suggested “in one source that it might foreshadow diplomatic nego tiations to be undertaken by Court von Bernstorff with the state depart ment, which wodld take up the ques tion of the much discussed modus vivendi.'' There is no indication at this stage of how Germany’s new attitude will affect the case of the Arabic. If it should be proved to the satisfaction of the American government that a submarine sunk the ship without warning the United States probably not only will ask a disavowal of the account, but assurances against repe tition and reparation for the Ameri cans who suffered. A guarantee that there would 'be fio similar acts in the future.in the forthcoming declaration from Berlin is accepted as a foregone conclusion. Has bo Choice. ■’ The “state department has denied that the United Statea government over had eonaidered “any particular maa for provialoaal president of Moxlco." Armies of Grand Duke Begin Retreat to Third liqe of Defenses, Which Begin fit Riga and Extend Through Swamp Regions of White Russia— Troops are Saved. 4 Berlin announced Thursday that the Ruteian fortress of Brest-Litovsk had been captured. German and Aus tro-Hungarian troops stormed the works of the western and northwest ern front and succeeded Wednesday night in entering the center fortress. The Russians then gave up the forts. Petrograd had given opt a state ment foreshadowing the evacuation of their greatest fort, saying earlier Thursday, before the Teutons had taken their great military base, that the Austro-German aim appeared to be to cut off Brest-Litovsk by mov ing to the rear of the fortress and forces its evacuation without an as sault. The army of Prince Leopold of Bavaria approached the stronghold from the east and from the directlpn of Bielsk. That of Field Mafshal von Mackensen pushed to the northeast from Vladova to ward Malorlto on the railroad from Brest-Litovsk to Kovel. A wilderness of forest and bog thirty miles long and of an equal width, was in the path of Prince Leo pold's forces. This, however, is bi sected by a railway and a post road No heavy artillery has been seen In the operations directed to the west ward of Brest-Litovsk. “When strategic conditions so de mand’’ is the semi-official comment, “Brest-Litovsk will be abandoned as easily as we abandoned other points of support after they had served their purpose in screening our operations, and we shall continue to retreat un til we reach the new line of prepared positions." liondon reports: The Austro-Ger- mans Thursday marched into Brest- Litovsk. centre of the Bug river line of defences and main concentration centre. The Russians put up a des perate resistance to the German ad vance, but made no attempt to de fend the fortress Itself, evacuating It as they did Ossowetz. Petrograd dis patches had indicated the Russians were planning to- take up defensive positions farther east. The Germans now bold the entire railway line from Chelm to Blaly- stok. As the Russians have already evacuated Bialystok, the lesser fort resses of Grodno and Olita are the only strongly defended positions re maining in the hands of the Rus sians. The Germans are nearing both of these, and they probably will he given up when they have fulfilled their purpose of facilitating the Rus sian retreat. The Russians have not yet enter ed the vast Bielovtezh forest, lUiich extends thirty miles north and south, and has a width of from seventeen to thirty miles. South of it are the Pripet marshes, which protect the Russian left. With plenty of roads and three or four railroad lines, It is expected here that Grand Duke Nicholas will make good his retirement If Grodno and Vilna can hold out long enough. Even if they should fall military ob servers say the Grand Duke would be well on his way to his new positions before the Germans could reach his flank. There is again talk of Rus sian preparations for a stand, but no indication as to where this attempt is to be made. The Russian fortress of Brest-Lit ovsk had been considered one of Uie strongest fortresses in Europe and was tfie southern base of the second Russian line of defenses to which the armies of Grand Duke Nicholas re treated after the fall of Warsaw. The citadel is situated on the fflug river and at the junction of several rail ways, one hundred and thirty-one miles south of Grodno, and one hun dred and twenty miles due easUof the Polish capital. The storming of Brest-Litovsk tfr probably the most important military achievement since the fall ow War saw, three weeks a^go. The town which had a population of about fifty thousand, was one of the most impor tant depots for, and the distributing poinj of, military supplies near the western frontiers of Russia proper. The fortress was rated by military critics as a much more important strategic point than was Warsaw. Brest-Litovsk is situated at the junction of the Bug and the Muk- hovets rivers, and the fortress was built at the point 8f confluence. It lies upon the right bank of the Bug, w'hich the river turns from the north to the northeast. Intersecting here are railroads from Odessa, Kiev, Mos cow, Warsaw, Vilna and east Prus sia. Brest-Litovsk, according to infor- matlbni compiled by the National Geographical Society, contained one of the oldest Important fortresses in northern Europe. The older fortifi cations were erected about one mile east of Brest-Litovsk and had a cir cumference of four miles. The field works were kept up to date and everything possible had been done to make. them unconquerable. Brest- was generally regarded in Russia as the most powerful individual strong hold in the empire. The capitulation means, in the opinion of military observers, that the Russians will be forced to Aban don their second line which extended northward to the Baltic base of Riga. The fall of the fortress appeared in- Yigorons Fight Is to be Made Be* tween Now and Election’s Opsn- Ing—Comss as n Surprise. A vigorous -fight on prohibition is going to he made between now and thp date of the referendum election on September 14, it became known in Columbia Thursday night. The fight will be carried into every section of the state and an effort will be made to show that South Carolina would be wise not to change her present sys tem of regulating the liquor traffic. The fight against prohibition will be carried on largely through a news paper advertising campaign to be systematically^ and thoroughly han dled fn a business way ibjlhe two weeks or little mote time nf>3iween now and the date of the election. The situation In states which have voited prohibition and that of the states which have rejected prohibition will be set forth from the side of the Antl-Prohibltionists. r; The flgbt will be carried on by an organization which is known as the Local Option League of South Caro lina. Headquarters of the league have been established in Columbia and the Anti-Proh|bitionists have al ready begun work collecting data for their advertising campaign. It is not likely that any speakers will be put out, for It is the intention of the Local Option League to appeal to the voters through the press, set ting forth the arguments in a busi ness-like manner and without any appeal to passion or prejudice, ac cording to an official of the league. The information that the Anti- Prohibitionists or local optionists are going to make a fight on prohibition will come as a surprise, as there have been no evidences up to this time that there was any organized opposi tion to prohibition. The Prohibition ists themselves are active and are making campaigns in all parts of the state. National prohibition leaders, including former Governor Hanly of Indiana and Oliver W. Stewart of Chicago are stumping the state. In several counties "flying squadrons" of speakers are speaking at all prin cipal voting points. The active open opposition to pro hibition is bound to Inject ginger in to what up to now has been an apa thetic situation. IMS UKE PUCE GERMANY TO OFFER FULL SAT ISFACTION FOR ARAHC MAY M TO AGREEMENT FLORIDA AROUSED OYER CONTRABAND ORDER — Austro-German force* succeeded In throwing troops from the left’ to the right bank of the River Png, just northwest sf Brest-Litovsk, nftsr which flvs separate armies began a terrific onslaught on tfia Ruslan do- Representative Clark Tells of Great Concern and Resentment Over Ran on Cotton. Representative Clark of Florifla. who arrived in Washington Thurs day. said: ‘‘When 1 left Florida there was great concern and resentment over Great Britain's contraband de gree. The action of Great Britain Is regarded as highhanded and with out justification. With another big cotton crop ready to be marketed, the South Is In favor of the strongest protest against the arbitrary and in defensible contraband decree, of Great Britain. “I trust the administration will deal with the situation firmly, for the cotton producers expected relief. There is some discussion of the advis ability of holding a convention of producers to discuss market pros- pucers to discuss market prospects but the plans have not matured so far as 1 am advised.’ BLEASE SAYS HE WILL RUN FOR GOVERNOR NEXT YEAR Former Executive Positively An nounces His Candidacy In the Next Race for Governor. In a letter written to W. P. Beard, familiarly recalled as “Body Guard ‘ or “Bull Moose" Beard, ex-Governor Blease writes: “In order that there can be np fur ther misunderstanding about the matter, I now, to you, for you to make such use of as you see fit, an nounce that I will be a candidate for governor In 1916, unless my friends throughout the state change their present attitude, which I have not the slightest idea they vrill do." Ambassador Frankly Admit* That His Instructions Embodied the Declaration of the German Gov- eminent to Give Full Satisfaction to the U. S. Government. Washington, Friday: Count von Bernstorff, the German ambassador acting on Instructing from Berlin, notified Secretary Innsing Friday that “fall satisfaction" would be given to the United States for the sinking of the White Star liner Ara bic. The ambassador explained that Germany would make more than a mere disavowal if it is found the Arabic was sunk without warning. Future relations between the Unit ed States and Germany were regard ed much more hopefully in the capi tal than for many weeks past. Ad ministration officials believed the In dications from- Berlin that the impe rial government was striving hard to adjust difficulties between the two countries growing out of Germany’s submarine warfare, presaged a better understanding and an ultimate peace ful settlement. Count yon BernstorfU conferred with Secretary Lansing at the state department nearly half an hoitt. It had been suggested that perhaps Ger many was ready also to make reparfix tlon for the Americans lost on the Lusitania also, but that subject did not come up at Friday's conference. The disposition of the German em bassy is to take up one step at a time. The ambassador did not make pub lic the extent of the Instructions from Berlin on which he acted but It was understood thev. coincided entirely with the statement of the German chancellor In Associated Press dis patches from Berlin expressing the willingness of the German govern ment to make full reparation If It is shown finally that the Arabic was tor pedoed without warning. So far the German admiralty has received no re port from Its submarines operating In the Arabic’s vicinity, Further communications are ex pected from Berlin to the Reiman ambassador and to the state depart ment from Ambassador Gerard which will advance the negotiations to point where attacks on passengi earning shipa will be definitely dis continued at (east while the subject Is under dltfcussicn. Tho c:!tla tween the two countries Is regarded as having entered Into the reclm ef diplomacy. - The German ambassador fraakly stated after his Interview with Mr. ismulng that his instructions enabod- v. sK'jr, ChnaMi In Washington Thnr man Claude Kl Una said: “The North Carolina and t! ar# aroused over the action of Britain in declaring cotton band and they want the tlon to be as emphatic In with England on this scor have been in dealing with on others. ,. ; r _^ “Great Brltaln’a action Is un ranted and should not be to! 1 believe If the administration speak decislvelv there will be • scinding or modification of her o; in council and the cotton contrabnnfi decree. Let us bo firm with Great Britain as well as Germany—that Im what the cotton prodneors desire. “The entire South Is agitated over the cotton question. Unless thing is done -nere undoubtedly be sentiment In congress for tory measures. This sentiment may back an embargo movement, Al though I am unable to disenrn thin possibility now. I regard It as cer tain, however, that if Great Britain believed this government would de clare an embargo on war munlttoaw and other products Great Britain would come to terms quickly. Eng land does not want any serious con troversy with us. She can not afford It, for If we were to place an embargo on arms it would bo disastrous to England. The cottpn producers be lieve the administration can foren England's hand If emphatic repre sentations are made, and they should madf. We ought to take a posi tive stand and force the removal of obstacles In the way of marketing our cottpn crops. “Great Britain's course is working great harm to our ini'ustriea and some regard the controversy with Great Britain as Just ns Important an that with Germany. WANTS TO USE* COTTON TWINE IN WST Offices Burleson Is Anxions for Mannfa BALKANS STILL QUIVERINft Rumor of War Between Bulgaria and Turkey Proves False. London, Wednesday: The Balkan States are nearer determination of their future relations with the war ring powers, but so far as has been announced officially, no definite step has been taken for revival of the Bal kan league and its alignment with the Entente allies. There Was no Confirmation Wednesday of various rumors which excited London Tues day, chief of which were reports that Bulgaria had declared war against Turkey and would assist in the at tempt to force the Dardanelles. mim ■Ml. fenses. On Tuesday the army on the southwestern front succeeded in breaking through the advance posi tions of the fortress. The third Russian line of defense upon which the defenders of Brest- Litovsk, Warsaw, Ivangorod, Novo- georgievsk and Grodno are compelled to retire, runs through the middle of the country known as White Russia. The line begins on the north at Riga, and follows the Dvina river to Duen- ied the declaration by the Berlin gov ernment that it would give full aalia- faction to the American government. That, he declared, meant much more than a disavowal. The giving of sat isfaction would depend upon the cir cumstances of the stuck on the Am ble, he said. The German govern ment did not know yet. he said, whether the Arabic was sunk by a German submarine and without warning, but If investigations proves that to have been the caao. Germany would make full repamtion. The ambassador said he believed the negotiations over tjie Arabic would be followed by negotiations over the Lusitania, in view of the of ficial statement In Berlin that a sub marine policy satisfactory to the United States would be announced. Ambassador Gerard’s dispatch to the state department agrees with fount von iVernstorir* advices that submarine commanders have been in structed to attack no more peaceful merchant ships without warning. The American government, never- tlreless, will press for a clearing up of the entire submarine controversy before it will consider the Arabic and Lusitania incidents closed. Unoffi cial word has been conveyed to ad ministration officials that Count von Bernstorff believes the position of the German government will be deter mined by the imperial chancellor and the foreign milster. President Wilson did not hold the usual Friday cabinet meeting be cause the negotiations with Germany still were too incomplete. He plans to remain in Washington, however, until the controversy is finally clear ed up. In his talks with Ambassador von Bernstbrff, Secretary Lansing haa taken nothing for granted and has asked for., clear explanations of all statements regarding the Intentions -man government. of the German TURKS IN PANIC Russian Aviators Drop Bombs Upon * Constantinople. London, Wednesday: Bombard ment of the outskirts of Constanti nople by a Russian aeroplane squad ron, resulting In the death or injury of forty persons,, is announced in a dispatch from Athens to the Central News. According to these advices, the at tack was made on Monday on the Asiatic suburbs of Constantinople. A number of bombs were dropped, throwing the people into panic. Thir ty Turks, eight Greeks and three Ar menians .were killed or wounded. I m- abnrg, then turns south andjollovs 1)4 eTitabln_several jtajUL ago. when ihn. -tfce railroad through Vilna, Lida. T “ rkey Neutrality Proclamation to Date. President Wilson Wedneidsy sign ed the neutrality proclamation of the United States government In the war now beginning between Italy and Baranovichi. The line then , rone through tract less swamps cf Plask and the Pripet river to Rovno, which Uee one hundred and twenty mile* ef the 1 Seventy-five the Hotel to the g from to Put Postmaster General Burleson Is anxious that manufacturers of rotten twins again avail themselves of the opportunity offered by his action In advertising for proposals to either cotton or jute twine for tying together letters la during the year beginning Nova 1, next. Nearly a billion and n half ya of twine will he consumed by the | office department daring the tw< months’ contract period. It Is a in large quantity dally both In thftf post offices and upon the post offices and upon the rail office cars. In pounds, appr ly two million four hundred f pounds of Juts twins, or approal- mntsly one million, six hundred thou sand pounds of cotton twine, the far mer being much the heavier per yard, will be needed. Until last year, Jnte had the pref erence. Last summer, after the op portunity had been called to their < tentlon by the postmaster several large manufacturers of cot- - ton twine took an Interest and h4fi: for the contract now in force. Cot ton won and the Beaumont turlng company of Spartanburg talned the contract on terms Involv ing n saving for the post office de partment over the lowest bid for jot* of eighty-three thousand dollars for the year. The South Carolina com pany has fulfilled Its contract to data and the cotton twine hue proved-in nil respects satisfactory to the postal service. * FIGHT IN WHITE RUSSIA; GERMANS TAKE FORTRESS Russians Evacuate Olita, on the Nlo» men. Thirty Miles to the South of Kovno. London, Friday: The Austro-Ger- man invaders not only have pressed their opponents into old Russia? be yond the political borders of ancient Poland, but have penetrated well be yond the district of Russia proper In habited by the Poles. This enonnono advance has reached a stage in which Russian troops are fighting for exist ence cm the soil of White Rnsnis. The main object of the German at tack around Brest-Litovsk for day* has been the railroad running east ward from the fortress toward Mos cow. This line with a branch run ning in a southeasterly direction, provides the means for Russian evac uation of the fortress. The Austro- German advance to. this railroad hop been so slow that It ta-J^elieved evac uation was accomplished"successfully before the fortress surrendered^. irlln, Friday: The Russian fc reS8''of Olita on the Niemen River, thirtyNnHeB south of Kovno. has been evacuared, according to official an nouncement Friday. ? - j Thousand Horses a Day. Representatives of the allied gov ernments are buying over a thottand horses a day from « Philadelphia agency. They are being shipped mediately. , • —* ' ■ m Aviator Drops Be Paris, Wednesday: A man dropped bomb* on station of damaga Is