The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1914-11-27

From Saturdays Uaiiy.
Lon d o n, November 2t.-Re-
markabie rumors are circulating
here concerning the means the
Germans expect to use In reach
Ing England. Guns which can
shoot across the straits of Dover,
submarine transports capable Of
landing large detaehments of SOL
diers on the English coast, sub
marine forts along the Belgian
coast are among the mysterious
devices gossip credits to Ger.
Many. The activity Of Germans
In preparing Notifications Of
some sort at zeebrugse, on the
Belgian coast north Of ostend,
and not far from the mouth Of
the seheidt, has given rise to
many alarming stories. One ru-
NOR 10 that caissons are being
sunk from which the Germans
will be able TO fire torpedoes.
These eaissons are supposed to
be permanent and Of such a
character that they can be used
above water. christmas dinner
In London" is the latest slogan
Of the German troops along the
Belgian coast, and the. officers
and men have constantly cireu-
lated the report that they expect
to invade England.
Washington, November 2t.-
Secretary Daniels announced
that a portion of Captain Deck
er's frat report Of the Tennes.
see Incident was not made pub
lie because II was considered
contradictory. Secretary Dan
ieIs said that Captain Decker's
dispatch contained the words:
"Act not hostile, but unfriendly."
Secretary Daniels declared that
he was unable to explain the
meaning Of the contradictory
phrase, although Captain Deck
er cabied that the original mes
sage Is correct. II was suggested
that the latter part of the ex-
preston Is the personal opinion
of the Captain OF the Tennes-
see, without an exact knowledge
of what occurred ashore.
Washington, November 21.--
Captain Decker OF the cruiser
Tennessee has reported that the
firing on the ships launch by
the Turkish forts at Smyrna, Asia
Minor, was not intended as
hostile act. After a conference
with President Wilson, Secretary
Tumulty gave out the following
statement: 1.-THE public already
knows what happened, namely, .
boat from the Tennessee tried to
enter the harbor, a harbor which
the Turkish government had de-
clared closed. A shot was fired
across her bow to stop her. The
captain Of the Tennessee reports
that IL was not intended as a
hostile act. A full Investigation
Of the matter 10 being made and
explanations have been asked OF
the Turkish government. Previ-
Gus attempts to communicate
with Ambassador Morgenthau in
Constantinopie, have led to de-
lays Of as much as a week."
Petrograd, November 21.-of
the three battle areas In the
eastern theater Of war, that be-
tween vistula Add Wharf.-The, Is
now being marked with the most
desperate fighting Of the entire
war. The Russian war office
cIims the German offensive
In this direction 10 partially
checked. Losses, on both sides
are exceedingly heavy.
London, November 21.--Germany's
fort to crush the armies OF Russia
et with a check. according to state
ents from Russian sources. Ear.
err in the week both Berlin and
etrograd reported that the Russian
inter was falling back before the
erman advance over the snow-cov-
red fields Of Poland, but 1t is now
'serted at the Russian capital that
lis movement has been halted. II
intimated in some quarters that
% latest turn in the campaign is
kelly to have decisive conse-
iences for the enemy"
An official Russian report of the
,pture of the battery at LODI Is in
'rpreted as significant, suggesting
Russian Ranking movement. Large
II is said have been
Irown in by the Russians.
Berlin Says Different.
From Berlin, however, came no
digestion of a reverse. The Ger
ans, Il Is said In Berlin. are max
g steady progress. not only in the
inter, but in the north. driving the
ussians from the frontier of East
russia. st '"eE'e -, r."
Unofficial advices from the west
e to the effect that German rein
rcements are still being rushed to-
e eastern battlefelds. In Belgium
Q fighting still drags in desultory
amer.
Along the User attempts at mill.
ny activities are virtually aban-
med. largely on account of the