davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-08
BUSINESS ON GOOD
 BASIS IN LONDON
Banks Reopen, Enabling the Cashing of
 Checks

London. August 7.-C0:20 D. m.)-On the reopening of the banks today, enabling the cashing of checks, business was re- sumed on a normal basis. This has to a large extent stopped the buying of excess sive food supplies by people of means and put stop to the upward tendency of prices.
 Another factor operating in the same direction was the voluntary adherence by a considerable number of big retail firms to the scale of food prices and rec commended by the cabinet committee after a consultation with the leading provision dealers Hereafter, while the war lasts, such conferences will De frequent.
 The price lists agreed upon at these conferences would be issued. While for the present they will not be mandatory, later they will be enforced by legisla- tive enactment, if the government seems that necessary.
 The following were todays officiaf prices a pound for some of the leading articles for consumption: Granulated sugar, four pence, half penny; lump sugar, five pence: butter one shilling. six pence: cheese, colonial, nine and half pence; lard, American. IS pence; oleomar- garine, 10 pence; bacon, continental one shipping four pence; bacon, British, one shilling six pence.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-08
THANK WILSON, FOR
 MEDIATION OFFER

New York, August TIA message of thanks for President Wilson's mediation offer to the warning European powers was sent to the President tonight by the Standardization Peace society. The society in statement tonight reaffirmed it's adherence to peace principles laid down in it's platform.
 At the present time, however" it adds, that point of it's programme seems the most important which provides for the furtherance of friendly relations between the old and the new fatherland and it most emphatically protests against the attitude of part of the American press that seems to try it's best to bring about a disturbance of these relations.
 In this sad hour our sympathy belongs without reservation to our brothers fight ing in the ranks of the German and Aus trian armies and we hope for the victory of their arms, out of sincere conviction, that by this the rightly understood idea of universal peace, will be best served in the end. We regret and condemn this war, but we hope for the victory for the right, for we firmly believe in the mis- sion of the German nation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-08

'Second-German troops be not allowed to pass through Belgian territory.
 'Third-The German navy be not all lowed to attack Russia from the Baltic sea.
 'To the question put by the govern ment whether Great Britain would un- dertake to respect Belgran neutrality dur ing the war, no answer was given.
 Sir Edward tried to impose conditions which would have secured to Great Britain without running any risks all ben efits it could have obtained only by a successful naval war. Acceptance of these conditions would have led to the botting up of the whole German fleet, forcing to inactivity.
 Knowing on the other hand that a great number of French officers had crossed the Belgian frontier in about 50 motor cars, running to Lege, which was a fragrant violation of Belgian neutral ity, knowing further that Antwerp was ready to open it's most important harbor to the British fleet and landing corps, Germany reluctantly was compelled to refuse compliance with the British condi- tionS.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-08
KING COMPLIMENTS
 bELG|ANS' BRAVERY
 IN BATTLE AT L|EGE

London. August S.z(3:05 a. m. "A dispatch to the Post from Brussels says that King Albert has issued an order to the army highly compliment ing the bravery of the defenders of Liege against greatly superior numbers The herioc defense, he. says, will live forever in the memory of the nation. His majesty also sends greetings to the French army, which is coming to the aid of the Belgians.
 It is stated that the German seventh army corps Is retreating towards Aix- La-Chappelle.
 The correspondent of the Daily Mail last night an armistice had not been granted as requested by the Germans but that the fighting at Liege had ceased several hours before
 A thousand Belgian wounded have ar- rived at Brussels. The German lombard ment of Lege was so severe that it necessitated the departure of the popu- lation.
 The Germans, the correspondent says, retired because they were exhausted by the two days attacks and because they were in danger of being wiped out by the fire of the Belgian forts. The Bel gian losses were great, but less than those of the Germans.
 Many Belgian officers were killed. One cannot exaggerate. the correspondent says, the heroism of the Belgans or the superb valor and skill of General Leman, governor and commandant of Liege.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-08
Would Make Big Change
 in P0stOffice Service

Washington, August IA provision that would sweep from the civil service system all assistant postmasters, clerks and other employees of postoffices throughout the country, making them personal appoint ees of local postmasters, was put into the Moon railway pay bill on a prelimi- nary vote in the House today. Opponents say the provision will be defeated on roll call when a final vote is taken tomorrow.
 The House just had adopted an amend ment by Representative Moon providing that present assistant postmasters must take competitive examinations to qualify for their places. Representative Cullop offered an amendment striking out this provision and providing:
 ''The postmaster at all such offices shall have the power to select his assistant postmaster and all clerks and employees in his said office, irrespective of any civil service laws to the contrary and all laws for the regulation and orders in conflict with this act are hereby re- pealed and nullified'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-08
MANY CITIZENS
 FLEEING CITY

Brussels, August 7.-tVia Paris. 4:O5 p. m.)-Many citizens of Liegc have left the city, fearing an epidemic more than the bOmbardment
 German prisoners whom corres- pendent questioned acknowledged free ly the courage and tenacity of Belgian troops opposing the German advance. The prisoners were treated with con sideration and on the way to Brussels were supplied at the stations with beer and bread.
 Excitement in Brussels since the ar rival of the wounded has increased, if such Is possible. There Is much Optim- ism. however. concerning the military situation. Events before Liege are con sidered merely as the raising of the curtain. and it is believed Belgium once more may be the country where the destinies of Europe will be decided.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-08
TRAINS FILLED WITH
 WOUNDED ARRIVE

Brussels, August 7.-(S:0s a. m via Lon don a. m)-Trains filled with wounded and fugitive non-combatants arrived here early today from Liege and nearby towns. Those with prisoners were sent from Liege to Antwerp
 The Belgian troops appeared to be in the best of spirits when the trains left Liege, passengers said. Though in good spirits the Belgians were partly exhaust ed, having fought for 50 hours without rest.
 Some of the wounded Belgians, eyewit- nesses of the fighting, say they saw Ger mans moved down by hundreds in front of the trenches and entangements In ground was covered with dead, the burial of which. 1t was said, would take at least a week
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-08
Mexicans Arrested

Phoenix, Ariz., August 7.-The arrest of 10 Mexicans today was followed later by the confession of two that the arr rests had frustrated plot to raid the hanks of the city. the state capital and the militia armory and thus procure the means to finance and arm 10000 men for warlike operations in Mexico
 The alleged plan was declared to be pro liminary to a prospective counter revolution in Sonora against Carranza.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-08
OFFICIAL GERMAN
 ACCOUNT OF SIEGE

Berlin, August 7.-(Vfa London, 6.15 ?. m.)--The official German account of the siege of Liege. says:
 "on Wednesday the German advance guard penetrated along the entire Bel gfan frontier. small detachment tried coup de main with great bOIdness at Liege. some of the cavalry entered Lfege with the intention of seixing the commander of the forces, who only saved himself by flight.
 "An attempt on the fortress itself, the Qualifications of which are modern, was unsuccessful. Troops are before the fortress i'm contact with the enemy.
 "A hostile foreign press will char acterfze the enterprise, which cannot in the slightest influence the larger operations. as n defeat. It. however is but n unique act of heroism in the hfs- tory of war and sign of the heroic gallantry of our troops.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-08
Details Lacking

Brussels, via London. August s. (2:45 a. m.)--Details of the latest fight ing at Liege are lacking, but news papers report brilliant feats by the Bel gian defense up to Thursday night.
 According to the press, the German invaders were greatly surprised at the fight made by the Belgfans. who them selves suffered severely.
 Though Liege Is defended by forts 30 years old. modern devices were em- ployed by the Belgian commander. Barbed wire and mines. with artillery, strengthened the field between the forts. The Germans failed to determine accurately the position of these Held works, and were cut down wholesale when they attempted to pass between the forts.
 On Wednesday night the German Sew enth army corps made a tremendous assault with the aid of searchlights, but the Belgians in daring counter at tack from the heights of Wandre, vfi- lage four miles northeast of Liege,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-08
Negro Held for Assault

Will Jones' negro was arrested last night by Officer H. C. Saunders and placed in the city jail, charged with assault with intent to murder on the person of Enoch Malcolm, another negro. The al- legged assault occurred on the night of August 20 and Officer Saunders had been laying" for Will for sometime. The negro will face another charge of assault with intent to murder on the person of Hattie Morton, a negro woman, who wit messed the assault on Enoch Malcolm.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-08
Memoli at Fairfield Sunday

Memolis band of 25 or 30 men will give a concert in the civic center at Fairfield tomorrow afternoon from 4 to o'clock. Both street car lines will have extra cars in service to accommodate the crowds that will attend the concert. Mr. Mem oli said yesterday that he had arranged very fine programme for Sunday, and that with an augmented band all the music would be performed with rich eff feet
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-08
Assumes Relief Work

London, August 7.--(9 p. m)-The com mittee of the American society. of which H- c. Hoover is chairman. has assumed charge of American relief work. This committee takes the place of one previ- ously organized by American tourists forced to leave the continent. The so- ciety's committee includes influential resi- dents of London, Gordon Selfridge, Robert Fairbanks, F. E. Powell, James MacDon- aid and F. c. Vanduzer.
 The committee has arranged with banks for an immediate advance of $7o,000 This will be put out in loans not exceeding s2Oo, to persons having paper they cannot hegotiate, or on cable assurance from American that they have bank accounts
 More than 800 Americans thus far have been assisted. There have been few en- tirely penniless Americans. number of grafters have been discovered reaping a harvest through indiscrirninate charity by wealthy Americans.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-08
LIEGE HOLDS OUT AND GERMANS ASK
 AN ARMISTICE TO
 BURY THEIR DEAD
Continued from Page Onc)

House of Commons and others promi- nent in the political and social world, and thousands of passers by joined in the cheering, which continued until the ambassador, Marquis Di Franca- villa, and the marchioness appeared on the balcony.
 The ambassador, amid a scene of the widest enthusiasm, said Italy had declared her neutrality and would adhere to it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-08
Miss Lydia Alfred

Cullman,- August -tSpecial.) Miss Lydia Alfred. aged 23 was buried yes terday from the home of her mother a widow with three other daughters where she died of consumption yester- day. This family was once well off and owned much property. They sold out and moved to Arkansas, where the father died and then the only son.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-08
Gompers Sends Tribute

Washington, August 7.-E. c. Dawson, president of the Virginia Federation of Labor, in session at Norfolk, sent this telegram today to Samuel Gompers, head of the American Federation of Labor
 'As tribute to the memory of the late Mrs. Woodrow Wilson, the Virginia Fed eration of Labor pledges moral and finan- cial assistance to the nationwide move- ment by the American Federation of La- bor, having for it's object the cleaning out of slums and bettering housing con ditions.''
 MT. Gompers said the federation always hae encouraged such movements and they would be supported with renewed interest.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-08

their Hoboken piers, apparently ready to sail. It was denied officially tonight that the German government has requisitioned any of these liners. The statement also was made that so far as is known off, cially in German circles in Washington the North German Lloyd liner Kronprinz Wilhelm, which sailed Monday night, did not go to supply fuel to German cruisers off the coast Furthermore, it was stated if German cruisers have been communi- eating by wireless with this side of the Atlantic, such messages have not reached the German embassy In Washington.
 The continued presence of German crui- sers was reported by incoming vessels tonight The captain of the steamer Den bigh Hall, from Gran, Algiers, said he heard code messages between German warships. Communication with the crui- sers from the wireless station at Say vile. Long Island, has ceased since a United States ensign was placed in charge. The Cunard liner Lusitania yesterday re- ported to have been pursued by German cruisers, sent word by wireless today that all was well with her.
 Reservists Despair
 German reservists here apparently have despaired of getting back to the father land. Fifty-six thousand stranded in New ork were notified today to return to their homes. Similar instructions were given to 10000 Austrian and several hun dred Dutch reservists. Messages received here today that the, White Star Liner Cedric, which put into Halifax yester- day to escape capture, had started for New York under convoy of the British cruiser Essex, were erroneous.
 The Cedric will remain at Halifax for the present. officials said, and it was believed here tonight Great Britain would requisition her for carrying Canadian volunteers to England
 The early establishment of an Amerf- can merchant marine was foreshadowed, according to shipping circles, by an order received here today by Collector Malone from the assistant secretary of com merce, directing him to prepare an estf- mate of the number of ship officers avail able for service to foreign countries
 Mail addressed to residents In Germany and Austria will leave here tomorrow for the first time since the war begin if cus- toms officials allow the Italian liner Europa to sail. About 400 sacks are con- signed by way of Naples. The American liner St. Paul, which left port for Liver pool today, carried besides her own mail several thousand sacks which once on their way to Europe were landed in Bar Harbor, Maine, when the Kronprinzessin Cecelie took refuge there.
 A cablegram received here today from R. A. c. Smith, the citys dock commits sioner who is in Naples. said he had chartered ship to bring back many Americans stranded along the Austrian frontier. MT. Smith said the ship would leave Sunday or Monday.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-08
For a Rainy Day

FTOm L1Dplncftt s.
 The careful husband had given his wife some money to put into the family sink ing fund, but she had spent it. Two or three days later she asked for more.
 Didn't I give you some last Monday?' he inquired in the we'll known manner of husbands under similar circumstances.
 'sYes. but I spent 1t"
 Spent it? I thought you had laid it away for rainy day.
 II did, Henry" she smiled sweetly. T bought raincoat, an umbrella and q pair of rubbers with it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-08

Washington, August 7.- Naval officials are expecting news of the capture by German cruisers, understood to be ly- ing off the north Atlantic coast, of a number of British, French and Belgian merchant ships. Unless that is done they do not know how the Ger man cruisers can maintain their station much longer for lack of fuel.
 With calm weather and smooth sea, it is possible to transfer coal at sea from the bunkers of a merchant man to a warship.
 The only recourse for coal would be a shore port. The German cruisers may take coal once only at an Ameri- can port within three months and a sufficient amount to convey them to the nearest home port, which would be in Germany.
 This would enable each vessel to take on about two weeks coal supply and if that were carefully used, while the ships were lying with banked fires off shore they might, if not pursued by an enemy's cruisers, maintain their positions for per haps month. but scarcely longer, and in that case they would gind themselves with empty bunkers and unable to reach home port though they might get into St Thomas, the only neutral port within their reach. There again, they might take coal once only.
 Therefore, it Is theopinion of the naval officers that if the German cruisers are not already well across the Atlantic try ing to find their way homeward through the British mines, they either must in- terne for the war in an American port or violate the neutrality of Denmark at St. Thomas, or of some of the South American republics.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-08
LATE WAR BULLETINS
tContinued from Page One) have sometimes been designated by Ocrmsny to act as cOnsuls.

Ihe Hague, August 7.-(Via London, D. m.)-Henry Vandyke, United States minister to The Netherlands, today snede arrangements with The Nether- lands government for the cashing of American checks and drafts fndorsed hy him under the authorization of the United States state department.
 The minister was instructed to i'm oorse drafts necessary to supply the absolute necessities of travelling Amer acons.
 Amsterdam, August 6.-Cvia London, August ., 5;35 a. m.)-'rbe l9-year-oId son of the German general, Count von Arnim. was wounded before J.iere ana died tonight.
 London, August 1.-The White stnr line steamship Baltic. which left New York July 30 for Liverpool, arrived early today in Queenstown.
 Chicago, August 7.-ReIatiyes of Harold F. Mccormick here today de nied reports he has been seeking to engage an ocean going yacht in which to bring back Mrs. Mccormick, daueh- ter of John ID. Rockefeller, from Flu rope. Mrs. Mccormick is reported to be i'm Switzerland with her daughters.
 MT. Mccormick fs now his way from New York, according to his sec retsry. He has received word from 1lrs. Mccormick.
 Trenton, N. J., August Mrs. I. H. Welling of this city, head of the finance and legislative committee of the New Jersey Congress of Mothers, today sent a call to the national and state con gresses of mothers asking them to take steps for the holding of mass meetings to urge peace in Europe and to in- dorse President Wilson's offer of media tion.
 Salem, Ore, August 7.-Governor Os- wald West today issued an appeal to citizens of Oregon to contribute to the American Red Cross expedition which will aid sick and wounded soldiers in the European conflict.
 London, August 7.-T p. m.)-Before the adjournment of the House of Com mons tonight David Lloyd-George chancellor of exchequer, announced that
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-08
Mail Liner Catches Fire

San Francisco, August 1.-The Pacific Mail liner Siberia, Shanghai. to San Fran cisco, caught fire in hold No. il shortly after leaving Hong Kong and put back. Cables today report her in Shanghai. The cargo in hold No. is total loss. but the vessel is undamaged. She will sail shortly for San Francisco.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-08
Clifford Shaddick

Clifford Shaddick, aged 22 years, died yesterday afternoon at the family resi- dence. 2714 Ensley avenue. The deceased is survived by the father mother. three brothers and two sisters. Funeral ar- rangements will be announced later.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-08
Pvthians Meet in Oregon

Winnipeg Man, August 7.--The Pythian supreme lodge at the concluding session today selected Portland, Ore, as the 1916 convention city.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-08
Deaths and Funerals
Ellsworth Scott

Ellsworth Scott, aged 45 years died yes- terday morning at local infirmary. The remains are held by I.ige Loy pending funeral arrangements. which will be an- nounced later. The deceased is survived by the widow.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-08
Flags Lowered at Montpomerv

Montgomery. August 7.-(Special )-In respect to the memory of Mrs. Woodrow Wilson, wife of the President. who died at the White House last night the flag on the state capitol and on the federal building were placed at half-mast today. The governor ordered the placing of the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-08
THOUSANDS FOREIGN RESERVISTS AWAIT
 PASSAGE, AND U. s.
 FACES BIG PROBLEM
fCcntinued From Page One.)

tCcntfnued From Page One.D ance papers tonight for Southampton. To other ships intending to sail, how ever, no permission to get under way has been given. Collector of the Port Malone will decide tomorrow morning on their right to depart after he has reviewed instructions received from Washington and compared them with the reports of his inspectors regarding cargoes and passengers of the ships.
 The Red Star liner VaderlaRd has been placed at the call of the Belgian consul here for reservists and may be detained under Secretary Redfield's ruling that ships must not be used for transporting reservists for a foreign army or navy. Under the same ruling it was said to- night the Fabre liner Sant' Ana, crowded with French reservists, may not be per- mitted to sail for Marseilles
 Florida Guards Coast
 The battleship Florida lies at the upper harbor entrance to guard against any ves- sells attempting to dash to sea without clearance papers. The Olympic will not be molested when she passes outA She lis British reserve ship, but apparently the customs authorities have decided she does not come under the ban against re- servist-bearing craft
 Several German vessels tonight lay ct