THE SEMt-WEEKLY TRIBUNE NORTH PLATTE, NEBRASKA.
:a
ARMIES OF POWERS COMPARED
SENDS ULTI
MATUM TD GERMANY
mqnt of Japan that nn ultimatum had
boon nddrcfEed to Germany request
whllo flour particularly has taken a
great Jump in price, wheat exports
aro practically nothing and millions
of bushels nro piled up In clovatoro
pr In freight cars strung across tho
continent.
Secretary Redflcld wroto Chairman
Adamaon of tho peace conferonco
committee suggesting an appropria
tion of $30,000 for his part of tho in
vestigation. Wilson's Statement.
Tho president sent tho following
signed letter to tho attornoy general:
"Th6 rapid and unwarrantable In
crease In the prices of foodstuff in
this country on the pretext of tho
conditions existing In Europe, is so
serious and vital a matter, that I
ing tho lattor's withdrawal from her
Hold of activity In China.
At tho same ttne he communicated
tho assurances of Japan to the Unit
ed States that tho utmoat endeavor
would bo mado to guard tho Interests
of this country and ull others not Im
mediately cbnccrncd In tho present
operations.
O TOTAL STRENGTH
OF ARy
WAR FOOTING
PEACE FOOTING
Demands the Withdrawal of the Kaiser's War
ships From the Orient Within Week's
Time Otherwise Japs Will Act.
Tho United States, It became
Ct BMTAM
known after Karon Chlnda's call on
Mr. Bryan, doe not Intend to be
drawn In any way Into tho contro
versy, regarding It aB a mattor pure
ly bat ween Germany and Japan.
Tho American government consid
ers satisfactory tho promise of Japan
WHERE GERMAN BOMBS KILLED FIFTEEN
JA
AN
l i Xttflfe
t
9 ITALY
AU6TRIA
SEA MOVES DISLIKED BY BRITISH
'Reports of Impending American Taking Over of German
Ships Causes Some Worry in LondonWhole. Armies
Are Facing Each Other, Frontier Forces of
France and Germany Form Line of
Hundreds of Miles in Length.
Toklo. Japan haB sent an ultima
tum to Germany demanding tho with
drawal of Gorman warships from tho
.orient and tho evacuation of Klau-
orient and tno evacuation
Clmu and giving Germany i
day, August 23, to comply
until Sun-
wit It the
domand. Otherwise, the ultimatum
states, Japan will tuk'e action.
The general expectation here Is
that the ultimatum will bo followed
by war.
Takaakl Kato, tho Japanese foreign
minister, simultaneously with the dis
patch of tho ultimatum, conferred
with Georgo W. Guthrie, tho Ameri
can ambassador, and mado to him a
broad statement calculated to assure
tho United States that American in
terests in tho far east would bo safe
guarded and tho integrity of China
uphold.
Owing to doubts whether communi
cations with Berlin were assured,
Japan, In order to lnsuro the arrival
of tho ultimatum, forwardod It to Bor
lln by six channels, including Wash
ington, London and Stockholm. Tho
government also notified Count von
Rex, German ambassador to Japan,
and likewise retardod tho tlmo limit
for a roply until August 23.
May Supply Teutons.
London.Roports of impending
American acquisition of part of the
great German merchant fleots caused
uneasiness here. Unquestionably such
n development would carry possibili
ties of arousing Irritation In this
country and probably among all tho
allies.
If there suddenly comes Into being
FRENCH CAVALRY
a great fleet of Amorlcan shlpa, tho
problem of Germany's obtaining food
is largoly solved, for ships flying tho
American flag would havo tho liberty
of tho hljjli boos and could enter tho
North soa German ports and certainly
in the aspect of affairs could ply the
Adriatic with comploto froedoih.
Food Problom Serious.
For England, tho food problem is
moro serious oven than for Germany,
but England does not oven consider
possible a German victory on tho
ecus. If American legislation makes
possible tho purchase of Gorman
ships in Now York and tho salos nro
made, thero is certain to be boiuo
criticism horo, probably otartlng with
tho chargo that Yankees cannot rosUt
tho appoal of tho dollar, and being
augmented with the Innuendo that tho
transfer Is merely a German subter
fuge. Bo fur tho attltudo of President
Wilson has met with tho cordial ap
proval of English publo opinion. Eng
land feels that America Is behind It
In sympathy. Hut for Gorman ships,
transferred to tho American fleet, to
begin carrying food to Germany would
surely create a painful Impression
French "General Popular hero.
Paris, Gneral Jobo JolTro, commander-in-chief
of tho French army,
is a popular horo. Ho has traveled
thousands of mlk'B In IiIb motor car,
driven by Georgo Bolllot, throo times
winner of the French grand prlx in
racing contests, since army mobiliza
tion and uotual fighting begun.
Hundreds of German military pris
oners passed through a Paris suburb
on their way to Poitiers,
General Joffro Is enabled to cover
many miles along the front, nnd has
inspired his ineu by hlo presence.
V3 9
hero, although It Is admitted that tho
purchase is well within America's
neutral rights.
Depends On Fate of Bill.
Whllo reports wore being circulat
ed that negotiations nro undr way
for the salo of the Hamburg-American
lino's steamships In American wators,
directors of tho company expressed
tho opinion no deal will bo consum
mated until the fato of the bill for
tho creation of a .bigger Amorlcan
merchant niarlno is known.
Purchase Going Ahead.
Now York. Tho president Grant
and tho President Lincoln aro being
painted and overhauled at plero at
South Brqoklyn. Men at work on
them aay tho American lino Is Inter
ested in the proposed purchase,
P. A. S. Franklin, vko president of
the International Mercantile Marino,
which controls tho American line, is
in Washington In connection with
plqns to Increase tho fleet of his
company sailing under tho American
flag.
"Thero is nothing dollnlto to say at
present," Julius P. Meyer, vice direc
tor of tho Hamburg-American line,
Enid to a World reporter when ho was
asked If a salo contract had been
drawn.
Whole Armies Face to Face.
Paris. It Is believed hero that
practically tho whole frontier armies
of Gormnny and France aro facing
ono another', if not engaged in agreat
battle along a lino 250 miles In ex-
ON THE MARCH
tent, running from , Basle to Macs
trlcht. Tho battle Is expected to last
an entire week.
it Is aleo felt that there will bo de
feats as well bb victories of the allied
forces at vuHoub points on tho lino
until ono sldo or tho other will have
co-ordinated its movoments so as to
enable it to movo victoriously in all
directions.
The first (lag was taken from tho
onemy AugUBt IB by a Fronch soldier
whoso name is yet unknown but who
will be handed tho $1,000 offered by a
PariB flag merchant for tho first
French soldlor to Like tho colors of
a German roglmont.
The flrBt spy, a Frenchman namod
Gruault, to bo tried for spying In Pa
ris Binco tho outbreak of hostilities,
has been condemned to death by
court martial. Ho la accused of spy
ing on the armaments of tho Eiffel
tower, especially tho wireless arrange
monts, Gruault has twenty-four hours
for an appeal.
U. 8. Not Worried.
Washington. Tho Japaneso ambas
sador, Baron Chlnda, delivered to Sec.
rotary Bryan the wrltton annouce-
Big Shipment of Eggs.
New York, In tho refrigerators of
tho African liner Now York, that has
sailed for London are 3G.000 dozen
eggs, tho first American eggs for Eng.
Huh markets since tho beginning of
tho European war. Thoso eggs cost
hore 25 conts a dozen. They were or
dorcd by cable irom Loudon und thorv
wore calU for more but the steamer
could not accomodate them.
With the supply of oggs from Rus
sta shut off, England had no place to
turn except America.
Sceno in Lunerille, Prance, where a Zeppelin airship dropped bombs, kill
ing fifteen persons. In the photograph tho inhabitants aro watching tho
flight of a dirigible over tho city.
of "eventual restoration to China of
tho territory of Klau-Chau.
Baron Chlnda's conference with tho
secretary of state was held at Mr.
Bryan's residence. Tho ambassador
presented a communication from the
foreign office at Toklo, which em
bodies tho substance of the ultima
tum, and added a strong statoment
concerning Japan's purpose of main
taining tho terrltolal integrity of the
Chinese ropubllc by restoring to her
tho territory, oX Kiau-Chau, originally
taken from China by Gormany as an
act of reprisal for the killing of Ger
man missionaries.
. Whilo tho statoment mado no di
rect refcrenco to the United States, it
gave assurance in general that tho in
terests of nil powers interested in
maintaining tho territorial status quo
In tho far cast would be protected to
tho utmost. .
It doveloped as a result of tho con
ference that Japan had no assurance
up to tho present tlmo that Its ulti
matum had been dollvorod to Ger
many, owing to tho cable difficulties
wltn that country. In order to mako
certain of Us delivery a copy of tho
ultimatum wll bo communicated to
Berlin through tho channels of the
Amorlcan government.
U. 3. to Probe Food Prices.
Washington. President Wilson has
sot tho machinery of tho federal
government In motion to dotermlno
whether tho cost of living is being
increased upon tho pretext of tho
conditions oxlsting In Europe. Ho
called upon Attornoy General Mc
Reynolds to report If criminal' pro
ceedings wore warranted, and If any
new laws wero necossary. Tho pres
ident may send a special messago to
congress In the latter ovont.
"Certainly tho country ought to be
defended," the president wroto to the
attornoy general, "If posslblo against
men who would take advantage of
such circumstances to increase tho
price of food and the difficulties of
living."
Attornoy General McRoynolds at
once set at work tho bureau of In
vestigation of tho Department of
Justico with hundreds of agents
throughout the country. Agents of
me uepanmeni or uommerco were
started on tho Inquiry nnd Secreaary
Rodflcld of tho Department of Agri
culture. Millions of Bushels Piled Up.
Congressmen, who have already In
troduced resolutions to invonlgato
the rise In prices and others who aro
preporlng similar measures, vlowod
tho action of tho administration with
satisfaction. They pointed out that
Guarantees Against Discount Loss.
London. With tho purpose of ter
minating tho present deadlock in the
money market and to onablo trad'o
and commorco to resume their normal
courses tho government has agreod to
guaranteo tho Bank of England any
loss It may Incur in discounting bills
of exchange either foreign or home
banks, trade accepted prior to
August 4.
Tho Bank of England, therefore, an
nounces that it is prepared on tho
application of the owners of any ap
proved bill of exchange accepted bo-
take the liberty of calling your atten
tion to It.
"I would be very much obliged if
you would advise me whether thero io
under existing law any action which
tho Department of Justico could take,
either by way of Investigation or le
gal process, and what federal legls
latlon, if any, would, in your Judg
ment, bo Justifiable and warrantabla
in the circumstances.
"I feel that this Is a matter which
wo cannot lot pass by without trying
to sorve tho country. Certalnlv tha
country ought to be defended, if pos
slblo, against men who would take ad
vantage of such circumstances to In'
crease the price of food and the ill
flculflties of living."
Blockade Would Cheapen Food.
Minneapolis, Minn. The price or
wheat, flour and bread of tho Amer
ican people depends entirely on
whether or not a great naval battlo
between European powers makes for
freedom of Amorlcan export trade,
said J. S. Bell, president of thi
Washburn-Crosby Flour Milling conn
pany.
"If wheat and flour can bo exported
to Great Britain and Franco," said
Bell "I do not believe flour would ad-,
vnnco materially, for such freedom
has been anticipated.
"Flour is soiling at $G a barrel in
the wood In 1,000-barrol lots. That la
10 cents below last wcok's price,
which was the highest slnco August,
1912.
"If oxporatlon bocomos Impossible,
the price of wheat and flour ehould
drop. Tho supply would bo greater
than the demand.
"Tho American shipper wants a
credit by foreign buyers which will
Insure pnyment for goods shipped,
whether captured or not.
English and French Forces Join.
London. The much debated ques
tion, "Whore are the British troops In
Belgium?" waB particularly answered
when a dispatch from tho Havas
agency In Paris announced that Sir
John Fronch, commander-in-chief of
tho English forces, had Joined, on tho
field, General Joseph Joffro, tho
French commander-ln-chtef.
Tho name of tho placo where tho
two leaders met was eluded by tho
censor, but presumably It Is some
where east of tho center of Belgium.
Furthor nows from tho agency, dat
ed BruBsels, says there was a fresh
engagement botweon 900 Germans and
Belgians at Goct-Botz, a short dlstanco
south of Haelon, whero n German
force was said to have been beaten
back.
lore that date, to discount It at nny
time before Its duo date at tho bank
rate and without rcourso to such
holder and upon tho bill maturing tho
bank will glvo tho acceptor the op
portunity or postponing payment with
interost at 2 per cent, over tho bank
rato.
Shanghai. Tho Japaneso steamer
Shlkoku Maru was seriously damaged
and ono of Its crow killed by a can
non shot fired from tho British fort al
Kong Kong whllo tho ves3el was or.
torln the harbor.
FRANCE.
GERMANY
IATTLE CAPABILITIES
OF THE
"Do you know that the contending
armies in Europe today are battling
upon their peace tlmo footings?" asked
a colonel on the genoral staff of tho
United States army. "And don't for
get that the nation that gets Its fight
ing forco up to its full war strength
first will gain a material advantage in
tho present turmoil."
This means that any hasty deduc
tions mado upon the basis of fights
won and lost up to date may soon
prove absolutely misleading.,
Tho question then arises: Which of
the struggling armies can reach its
war strength soonest, and, with that
attained, what are its chances -for
maintaining that standing in the gru
eling days to come? The answer is
a matter of administrative efficiency
first, and then, follows naturally the
rolative merits of the reserve material
upon which the nation can draw as
battlo after battlo and disease thin
tho ranks of those in tho field. At
present tho Germans are virtually
fighting alono four other nations, but
their initial setbacks aro not properly
a true Index of what is to come in the
near future.
Some Figures.
As it Is necessary to deal with fig
ures it is just as well to begin now
as later. These figures, Interpreted in
the light of additional information
have another meaning, ono that comes
closer to the facts inspiring the ag
gressive policy assumed by tho kai
ser in face of seemingly appalling
oddB. According to authoritative in
formation the peace and the war foot
ing of tho powers named are as fol
lows: Peace.
..771,193
.665,666
..635,670
..813.353
..211.304
..206.626
.. 182,603
War.
Reserves,
Total.
6.497.3S7
5.S44.9S3
3.950,740
3.029,524
1,871,493
433,693
1,2C4,300
Russia ..
Germany
Franco .
Austria
Italy ....
England
Japan . .
1.079.3S7
6,400,000
6.000.000
3,250.000
2,600.000
1.600.0CO
215,000
1,000,000
844,983
700,740
29,624
371.496
223,693
264,300
As between France and Germany
apart from the latter's superior war
footing, the total of the fully trained
reserves in tho Fatherland would be
the most potent factor in a prolonged
struggle and also the Justification for
a vigorous inltiativo despite early
heavy losses. Both Germany and
France havo In the last two years In
creased tho period of service from
two to throe years. In France this
lengthening of the term with the col
ors aroused a great doal of opposition,
not to say discontent.
Immediately back of these soldiers
are the first reserves, men who but
recently havo finished their full tours
of active service and of course are
familiar with tho latest practices. Now
look at the foregoing flguro3. Ger
many's peace footing Is only 29,895
men Btronger than that of France, but
upon the first call to arms this moder
ate superorlty immediately JumpB to
the greater figure of 144,203, giving the
kaiser an advantage of nearly 21 per
cent. But this is only the beginning
of tho difference.
Germany's total reserve of fully
trained reserves men trained with
peculiar thoroughnessIs today quite
C.000,000, while the admittedly less ex
actingly drilled reserves of Franco
number but 3,250,000 rank and file,
Hero, as can plainly bo seen, the Fa
therland leads by 1,760,000 two and a
half times the war footing of France,
while still having in resorve as many
as France would have at beat.
Setting aside the question of the
relative military value of tho training
of the Qerman and the French sol
diers, thoBe of France carry a maga
zine rifle of eight mllllmlters caliber
and the German Infantrymen repeat
RUSSIA
ARMIES OF
ers having a caliber of 7.8 millime
ters. Assuming tho samo propulsive
chargo, tho German gun will carry fur
ther and travel flatter than the French,
weapon, making for better marksman
ship at all ranges.
Again, tho French rlilo is heavier
than the German, increasing to that
extent tho Btross upon the man who
has to carry it on long marches. The
Boldlers of both nations carry the
some number of cartridges, 120. But
tho saving In weight in the German,
musket is offset by other weights he
has to carry. Fully equipped the.
French foot soldier has a total bur
den of 54.58 pounds, while the Ger
man infantryman has to bear 58.75
pounds. As a broad proposition the
average German is a sturdier man.
than his French rival, and this greater
tax is wisely laid upon him.
French Equipment.
In the French army each company
of infantry has tho following portable
tools: Eight shovels, four plckaxes
(double headed), three axes, one fold
ing saw and a pair of wire nippers.
Tho German foot soldier 'on the other
hand does not get off so easily, be
cause each company has to carry 100
small spades, ten pickaxes and five
hatchets. Now what does this mean?
Simply that tho kaiser's infantrymen,
aro able to entrench themselves quick
er than their French rivals, and for
that reason could hold an advanced po
sition moro securely and guard them
selves against attack whilo there bet
ter than the soldiers of tho tricolor.
Now let us boo what Russia repre
sents as a foes to Germany on tho Fa
therland's northern border. Unques
tionably tho czar's army Is superior to
the kaiser's in mere point of num
bers' in peace, in war and in the total
available reserves, and bo far ns per
sonal bravery goes tho RusBian soldier
Is unsurpassed. But battles aro not
won these days by Just numbers;
training and handling of the men are?
of supreme importance.
Broadly speaking, it is doubtful if
tho Russian forces aro any better
trained than they wero when they
measured strength with tho Japanese
In 1904-05. The infantry are armed
with magazine rifles of 7.G2 millime
ter caliber, and as marksmen they are
nothing like tho equals of the Ger
mans. How They Compare.
Russia is measurably superior to
Germany in the matter of Infantry,
cavalry nnd artillery in tho form of
field gunB, and Germany, in turn, leads
France in the vital feature of artillery.
Artillery has played a prlmo part In
all great wars, and the popular Idea
is that It is upon these guns that the
tide of battle turns. In a measure this,
is bo, for tho field pieces havo to pro
tect or support the infantry; but with
this done, the decisive outcomo of an
action dopends upon the conduct and
gallantry of the foot soldier, for he
constitutes the backbone of any mili
tary force.
As a matter of history, the French
have led in field ordnance ever since
the Franco-Prussian war. The French
wero the first to adopt tho long recoil
which mado it possible to use higher
propulsion charges and to secure bet
ter practlco against tho target, and)
to them, too, Is owed the Introduction
of tho spade upon tho trail by which
tho recoil of the carrlago could be
checked, thus making it possible for
the gun pointer to hold his position
and to fire deliberately and rapidly. To
the French, nso, tho world Is Indebted
for tho higher development of tha
shrapnel shell with Its withering blast
of leaden bullets.
i
4t
