davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-27
SEA FIGHT REPORTED
OFF VIRGINIA CAPES,
HEAVY FIRING HEARD
karlsruhe, German Raider,
Believed Engaged in Bat
tie With French or English
Cruisers.

NEW YORK, Oct PA wireless mes
sage was received at Sea Gate, near Coney
Island. early today from the steamship
Saratoga, of the Ward Line, from Havana
to New York, indicating that a naval bat
tie was fought under searchlights off the
Virginia Capcs last night
The message stated that heavy firing
was distinctly audible to the passengers
and crew of the ship and that about 20
shots from heavy guns had been fired.
At 8 o'clock this morning, several hours
later, radiogram was received by the
local agents of the Saratoga from Cap
tain Miller. who said his vessel would
arrive of Quarantine about o'clock this
afternoon, but no reference was made to
the supposed naval engagement.
It is believed that If such a fight
actually took place It probably was be-
tween one of the British or French cruis-
ers and the German cruiser Karlsruhe,
which has been preying upon British
shipping in South Atlantic waters since
the war started.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-27
ALLIES DRIVE GERMANS
OVER BORDER NEAR NANCY

o"eia ~" Vienna War Office de.
clares, and their forces hold firmly
the entrenchcd positions from Sam
Dor to Przemysl. Battle still RACES
beyony the Carpathians, where the
Austrian advance has compelled the
Gar to rush heavy reinforcements.
A sea fight is reported off the Vir-
ginia capes. and it is believed that
the German raiding cruiser Karls-
ruhe has been engaged by British or
French warships. Heavy firing was
heard by the crew Of the steamship
Saratoga.
Tension in the relations between
Greece and Italy was increased by
movements of the former to suppress
anarchy in Epirus. 1t is said the
trouble is caused by Greek irrcgulars
passing as Epirotes.
Baron Sonnino, strongly pro-Brit-
ish in his sympathes. is reported
ready to accept the post as Italian
Minister of Foreign Affairs.
German soldiers in large numbers,
together with much German arma-
ment, are reported in Constantinople.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-27
BERLIN REPORTS VERDUN AS
CUT OFF AND ABOUT TO FALL

The Belgian port city of Nieuport has
been nearly wiped out by shells and
flames The famous old lighthouse built
in 1884 was struck by shells and was
badly damaged. The magnificent Cloth
Hall a Gothic structure built in 1854. was
pierced by shrapnel The 18th century
Gothic church has been shattered The
massive BaroGue tower, which was re-
stored In 1903, was struck by shells and
ruined. The fine windows We're shattered
and the wreckaEe was strewn over the
scu.ptIred altar and the renaissance choir
stalls,
besolatlon marks the Hotel de Vile
The famous paintings were torn from
the walls Of this structure when the
bomharIment Of the city first began and
were hidden by the Burgomaster.
Another famous edIfce that suffered
wos the Tour des Templiers the only
relic of TempIars' Castle. which was al
most destroyed by the inhabitants OF
Ghent and the English in 1885.
The fighting In the nelghborhood Of
NieuDort is over the field OF the battle
Of the Dunes. where the Dutch under
Maurice Of Orange defeated the Span
iaris under Archduke Albert In July,
1900.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-27
KAISER'S ENVOY IS TOLD
COTTON CARGOES ARE SAFE
State Department Assures Baron Won
Schoen Britain Won't Molest
Shipments.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 27-Baron Won
schoen, of the German Embassy, called
at the State Department today for as
surances that shipments of American
cotton to German ports would not be
molested.
He was Informed that the British Gov
ernment, In n communication from Sir
Cecil Spring-Rice yesterday to the State
Department, had made 1t perfectly clear
that cotton shipments from the United
States In American bottoms to any port
at all would not be molested by British
ships.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-27
By FRANKLIN P. MERR1cK
PARIS, oct. %.

bAfNlS, OCl. ~.
Hard fighting is going on all along the
great battle line in France and Belgium
1t was officially announced by the War
Office this afternoon. There is particu-
larly violent fighting in the northern
sphere of hostilties around Ypres, in
Belgium. where the Allies have made
progress.
In the vicinity of Nancy the Allies have
taken the offensive. on the centre an
artillery duel has resulted in success
for the Allies several German batteries
being smashed.
The full report follows:
The battle goes on continuously and
IL raging with particular vigor between
the lower reaches Of the User River
and the region of Lens. on this part
of the front, the Allies have not yielded
an inch, whilst they have continued to
make progress In the region between
Ypres and Roulers
I'm the region of Sossons and in that
of Berry Bac, an artillery battle has
turned to our advantage and has re-
suited in the destruction of the enemy's
batteries.
I'm the region east of Nancy, between
the forest of BezanEe and the forest of
Parroy. we have taken the offensive and
have driven the enemy across the from
tier.
"On the River San and to the south
OF Przemysl, the Russian offensive has
become accentuated."
The heavy guns of the Germans, rushed
TO the coast to defend the German
trenches. have proved superior to the
guns on the French and British war
ships It is reported The German can
non were heavier and OF longer range
than the naval guns of the French and
English. The warships are reported to
have been driven 10 sea by the German
shore batteries,
The main positions OF both armies are
being fortified with elaborate care.
Trenches are being built by the Germans
past Tlourout in the direction OF Bruges,
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-27
GERMAN ARMY HELD AT USER
BY BELGIANS AND BRITISH

witness to the sanEuinary nature Of the
battle along the User Canal A cores
pondent Of the Daily Mail says:
There were 25oO German bodies in the
canal Sunday morning after the battle OF
the night. Many were drowned; others
were bsyoReted, The water itself was
bloody, while the streets Of Dixmude were
strewn thick with the dead
THE night was hell from dark TO
dawn. At almost every point Of the line,
man opposed man, sometimes at a few
hundred yards distance. but more often
at close grips. Face 10 face, men wrestled
and died BY drowning each other In the
canals waters"
The correspondent estimated the Ger
man losses in the hghtlng along the canal
at 1900 men.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-27
FRENCH LINER SUNK
IN B0ULOGNE PORT
BY FLOATING MINE
Thirty Panic-stricken Pea
SAINTS Drown, But 1000
Refugees Are Saved by
British Sailors.
LONDON, Oct. 81.

LONDON, Oct o.
The disaster to the French steamship
Admiral Ganteaume, which was carrying
more than 1000 refugees from Calais, and
which is believed to have struck float
ing mine yesterday afternoon was seen
by the steamship Queen travelling from
Boulogne to Folkestone, commanded by
Captain Carey.
The queen quickly ran alongside the
French vessel as there was not time to
take the passengers off by boats. The
decks of the wrecked vessel were crowded
with refugees. There was no general
panic, but some peasants lost their heads
and jumped into the water be-
tween the two vessels. Thirty were
drowned and few struck the sides of the
ship and were injured. More than 20OO
persons were transferred to the Queen in
little more than half an hour. They were
landed later at Folkestone.
Captain Carey said that he believed
that everybody would have been saved II
every one had remained calm. There were
many women and children on board, one
was a mother with n baby days old.
Some infants were thrown from one ship
to the other by their excited parents and
sengers of the Queen. The scene on
their arrival at Folkestone was touching
Many OF the children were black with
coal dust. and a number of the refugees
were soaked as a result of falling into
the sea.
The captain OF the Queen believes that
the Admiral Ganteaume struck n float
ing mine. II is also suggested that she
may have been torpedoed. although there
is no evidence that she had been dam
aged by a torpedo. Her boilers exploded.
and II is considered quite likely that
the whole accident was due to boiler
explosion.
Although the condition Of the French
steamer Is precarious, Captain Andrew
and few of the crew remained on board
in the hope of being able to navigate her
TO a port. \ number of French torpedo
boats remained standing by the Admiral
GRnteaume.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-27
GERMAN FLYER SHOT
DEAD IN MID-AIR BY
SWOOPING AVIATOR
Paulhan, Famous Altman, Is
Then Brought Down, But
Attacking Uhlans Are
Driven Off by Rescuers.

PARIS, Oct. ga thrilling adventure
of which Louis Paulhan, famous aviator.
was the nero is related in report
printed by a provincial paper.
Paulhan, who was one of the first
aViators to acquire worldwide fame. re-
tired some time ago, and it was UNDER
stood that he intended to devote the
rest OF his life to raising flowers to he
USED In the manufacture of perfumes
now appears that he Is serving In
tne army as an aviator with the rank
of lieutenant.
auihans mechanic says they were
nyins toward Amlens on October and
passed over the German army M n
height of 5000 feet.
AS we flew over the aviot,o, n,r,,
we were saluted by volley from the
special aircraft cannon used by the Ger.
MANS he says. I'VE were Iaupbi,, -.
their attempts when suddenly, to our
great delight, 'boche' (German) aero
plane which hitherto had been concealed
oy cloud appeared beneath liz Tho
possibility of an aerial combat do
lighted us.
L loaded the mitrailleuse and PAUL
nan allowed the machine to descend
sIghtIy' We gained on the German ran
idiy and when we were at the sams
heleht and only 200 yards away nre-
pared to fire. As ne perceived us he
MADE diving turn. That was the end
OF him He offered splendid target
and when l saw him appear between the
sights Of the gun l pressed the trigger
and bang! down he went
In triumph we watched the terrIhIa
ran. ! could not but feel some pitv for
those brave men who died trying to flee
before u.s."
The descent OF the French aeroplane
Drought 1t within range of the German
guns. Several bullets struck the engine.
which began to fall. But the mechanic
held his finger against a bullet hole in
the gasolene tank. This enabled the
trenchmen to land safely within their
own lines.
While they were making repairs Uhlans
attacked the 40 soldiers who had come
to their assistance. The mechanic, stIll
seated In the aeroplane, worked his mi
trailleuse and the two score Frenchmen
charged the enemy with bayonets.
Twelve of the Germans were killed and
eight were wounded. The French lost
three killed and five wounded and took
several prisoners.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-27
CZAR'S FORCES FOIL
ADVANCE ON FLANK
FROM EAST PRUSSIA
Beat Back New German
Movement to Base at
Ihom-Blizzard on Bat
tie Front.
PETRoGRAD. Oct. q.

PETROGRAD, Oct. o.
Defeat of the Germans In their fianking
movement north of Warsaw is announced
In report from the Russian General
staff Issued today. It states that the
Germans have retreated toward Thorn,
their base IN East Prussia.
A heavy snowstorm is raging along the
battle front in East Prussia and Russian
Poland. II is almost blizzard, but fight
ing continues between the opposing forces.
The hercest conflict along the front Is
now going or In the forest OF Nemiglow-
sky southeast OF Rawa, where the Slber-
ian troops are attacking the intrenched
Germans with their bayonets.
The battle in the forest has been raging
for four days and the LOSSES on both
sides have been enormous, but II is re-
ported that three lines OF the German
trenches have been captured.
The General staff's report announcing
the defeat of the Germans flanling move
ment in the north was as follows
While the Germans were making frontal
attacks on our positions along the Wis
tua, other forces, operating from Thorn,
attempted nanking movement appar-
emily with the purpose OF Selling the rail-
road from Mlawa to the fortress of Nevo
Georgievsk and Warsaw. This attempt
was repulsed by the Russians.
"As n result of their losses, the Ger
mans were compelled to withdraw toward
Thorn their base in East Prussia. The
forces OF the enemy that reached the
Mlawa district and those farther east
we're forced to withdraw to Prussia be-
cause their supports failed to come up
from Thorn.
I'm anticipation of an invasion by our
forces, the people of East Prussia, along
the frontier of Poland, have been ordered
to withdraw into the interior"
An additional statement says:
"The Austrians In Galicia are fighting
with less energy. The Russians have en-
tered the region south of the San at
where they captured 20 guns
and many cases of ammunition The
whole valley of the river Spruini is sown
with the bodies Of dead Germans not less
than 5000 in number.
THE Russians have defeated all at
tempts by The enemy to make a parial
advance on the East Prussian front"
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-27
Continued from Page On.


compelled to withdraw toward Thorn,
their East Prussian stronghold, PIT
trograd advices assert, in consequence
of the blocking of their hanking move
ment.
Battle is raging at Warsaw, ac-
eording to the German version of
operations in the east The walls of
the city are being shelled by heavy
artillery and Zeppelins are creating
heavy damage within by constant
bomb-dropping Russian reinforce
ment from Siberia and the Caucasus
have been badly beaten, Berlin says,
outside the city, which the Council
has left and from which the in
habitants are fleeing.
In Galicia the Austrians arc fight
ing with abated energy. and the
Cars forces have pushed their ad-
vantage by entering the region south
OF the San.
On the east Prussian front the
Russians have defeated all attempts
of the Germans to advance into
North Poland.
Austrian offensive continues in
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-27
ALLIES FORGE AHEAD
BELGIUM, PARIS REPORTS

and cement emplacements are being con-
structed for gun bases.
II is officially reported that about 5000
Germans got into Dixmunde. They held
1t for time, but were finally driven out.
The following description of conditions
In the Atsne Valley is given by news
paper correspondent:
1T is certain that the Germans occupy
ing a position in this valley cannot ad-
vance further into French territory. 1t
Is therefore possible that they may settle
down for the winter in the position they
now occupy.
There is only one point at Rheims
where the Germans have heavy artillery
and this consists Of only one big gun and
70 pieces of small artillery, all of Aus
trian make
tThis Information Is at variance with
earlier reports from the Rheims district
The Germans were supposed to have
heavy supply of big guns. and 1t was
these which were supposed to have bonn
oarded the city. 1t Is indicated that the
heavy guns which were formerly trained
against Rheims have been shifted to
some other part of the battle line)
This artillery is located near Berru.
The infantry lines occupy trenches run
ming past Cernay and Bethany. At no
point In this region are the German and
French lines more than a few hundred
The Germans have lost no ground since
the French took Rheims, and this is
brought about by two reasons: The Ger
man positions are too strong for an open
attack and the French centre has been
weakened by the shift of troops to both
ends OF the battle line.
-Four hundred German prisoners were
taken last Thursday. They claimed to
be- famished and that the German COM
missariat has broken down. but the con-
dtion of the prisoners beled their story.
1t is believed this story was told for a
ruse.
Along the eastern part of the Aisne
Valley the artillery is seldom still. There
are many hidden batteries which fire in
t"rmittently against the eremy's lines"
The French are still trying to advance
against Metz, while the German attacks
against the Toul-Verdun line goes on un-
ceasingly.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-27
LONDON. oct. 27

LONDON, Oct. q.
The German army in the region be-
tween the User River and the Dlxmude-
Nieuport Canal has been unable TO ef-
feet further advance since crossing
the river
The British and Belsian troops have
borne the brunt Of the fghtIng in Bel
GUM in the last p hours.
Assaults on the Allied line are being
made by the Germans at three points
south OF the canal region at Armen-
there's. near La Bassee and in the region
OF Arrss.
The advance Of the Allies down the
River Lys has been stayed by fresh
German reinforcements.
with the battle of the north being
fought or land on sea and in the air,
military experts here believe that ths
decisive phase Of the struggle for the
mastery OF the coasts has been reached.
Though Nieuport is still in the hands OF
the Allies the fact that the Germans have
succeeded in bringing up their big guns
and driven the British warshlps back
from NuH bFlhldll NSd9A mag AN9HAN III NV
Withdra val OF the Allies 10 another line
OF battle farther south. where they may
operate with Dunkirk as their support on
the extreme left.
Evacuation or capture Of Nieuport
would give the Germans complete control
Of the User canal, the struggle over
which has been the hercest IN the cam
palgn Of the rivers which began with the
battle Of the Msrne and was followed
excessively BY the battle Of the Aisns,
the battle Of the Disc and sOmme and the
battle Of the User. in which the Germans
nov claim to have gained the advantage
= Al reports. omeial and unomcial. bear
q
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-27
BRITISH INVASION
GRAND CLIMAX OF
KATSER'S WAR PLAN
German General in Official
Gazette Describes Moves
of Campaign to Follow
Seizure of French Coast.
BERLIN, Oct. u

BERLIN Oct. n.
AN invasion of England vou,5 =.
easily possible" is the statement r,.,.
by German general In the current ,,.,,s
of the Saxon State Gazette. The artIo,.
contributed by him shows that Garrro.s
has planned to carry the fight into r..
land after capturing the French coo.,
and ports as far south as the Selma
"lf the English watch on our nav,
stations In the neighborhood of Heliso.
land is almost impossible now" he sav,
ut will be quite impossible wbsn a.
Belgian coast and the north coas, =,
France to the mouth OF the Selma a..
in German hands.
I'm course of time we shall no,,.
Calais and probably Dieppe and Havr.
our l2-inoh howitzers have the rang. y,
II miles and the 17-inch guns have stIIi
q longer range. England can expect eli,
more artillery surprises. Even n wa
cannot shoot from the French coast a
safety zone could be made for the Ger.
man ships covering more than half OF
the navigable water VI
THE French harbors will serva =,
bases for torpedoboats, submarinss
cruisers and zeppeliSs, and can be MAD,
tmpregnable from the sea by means az
double or triple row of mines II this
triple mined field should be laid fror,
the French coast to the English coast
then Portsmouth and Plymouth wouId
be cut off from the North Sea and con.
nectlon around Scotland would be din.
cult.
THE possibility of laying such mines
is not doubted, as they could be laid
under cover of artillery. Our submarines
and torpedoboats would also come into
action. An invasion OF England would
be easily possible"
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-27

BERLIN. Oct. 2T.-An official report her
today says:
In the western arena German sue
cesses continue. NoTdun which has
been f'ercely defended for many weeks
has been cut off from help by the
destruction OF forts between that point
and Toul II will be impossible for
help o reach NerGuu, and the sur
render or destruction Of that fortress
is only matter OF time.
West Of the User Canal, between
Niouport and DiNmudc. which is stll
occupied by the enemy, our troops
attacked the hostile positions, which
are obstinately defended
The British feet co-operated, but
was forced back by the heavy ar
tillery fire. Three ships were nit. Dur
ing the afternoon Of October - the
fleet kept beyond the distance OF sight.
Near Ypres the battle Is stagnant.
Southwest Of Ypres and west and
southwest OF Lille our attacks are
progressing During severe street
hghting the English suffered great
losses, leaving about $50 prisoners.
North OF Arras a heavy French at
tack broke down, the French losses
being severe.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-27
BRITISH SYMPATHIZER MAY
BECOME ITALIAN MINISTER
Baron sonnino Reported Ready to
Accept Post.

ROME, Oct. q.
1t is unofficially reported that Baron
Sidney Sonnino will accept the place as
Minister OF Foreign Affairs, left vacant
by the death of Marquis De San Giuliano.
The portfolio was offered to him more
than a week ago.
Much speculation is being INDUCED in
as to the effect on Italy's neutrality
policy If Baron Sonnino accepts the po-
sltion. He is a well-known pro- British
sympathizer and his policies can un-
doubtedly be expected TO reflect his
personal stand.
Baron Sonnino was Minister of Finance
in 1898 and Minister of the Treasury in
1896 In both offices he effected reforms
in the Italian monetary and banking
systems and restored the Italian credit.
Prior to entering the Cabinet he was in
the diplomatic service.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-27

Lieutenant General Erich G. A. S Won
Falkcnhayn is essentially a Prussian
arlstocrat and has long been close in the
councils Of the Kaiser. He is 50 years old,
and before becoming Minister of War in
July. 1913 succeeding General Won Heer-
ingen, he was Chief Of STAFF OF the Fourth
Army Corps. He was also a Priyy Coun-
cillor. charged with the task OF educating
the Crown Prince In military ways,
Earlier IN his military career Won Falk-
enhayn was sent 70 China where he was
detailed as a military instructor 20 the
Chinese army. For this service he was
decorated with the Iron Cross OF the
Second Glass He is looked uPOn IN Eu-
rope as second only 10 Won Bernhard as
an exponent OF German militarism, and
no is a great adherent 10 the Prussian
code Of honor, which prescribes that only
by a duel may the slightest personal dis
pute among army officers he settled.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-27
IRON CROSS FOR MECHANIC:
REPAIRS ZEPPELIN ALOFT
Decoration Reward for Saving Off
Propeller Under Antwerp's Fire.
BERLIN, Oct. 27.

BERLIN, Oct. 27.
Artificer Lulckhardt OF a Zeppelin air
ship crew. has been decorated with the
Iron Cross, first class. While the Zerpe-
lin was dropping bombs on Antwerp re-
Gently il was detected by searchlight
in the town and u battery showered
shells around II. One of the shells shat
tered the framework of a propeller, the
damage threatening entirely to disable
the airshlp,
Luickhurdt, when he realized this dan
ger, volunteered 10 saw off the propeller
which task he accomplished In half an
hour while clinging 10 the shattered frame,
work 600 feet above the guns OF the
fortress Later, when the dirigible got
under way and was speeding at the rate
OF 20 miles an hour. Luickhardt repaired
a long rent made in her hull by a shell
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-27
U. S. NAVY OFFICIALS SCOUT
REPORT OF NAVAL BATTLE
Would Have Report of Such Engage
ment, 1t Is Said.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 27-Navy Depart
ment officials scofrcd today at tho report
that heavy naval battle had been fought
last night off the Virginia coast, as re-
ported by the Ward liner Saratoga, now
on its way to New York from Havana.
Such an action, they said, scarcely could
have taken place without its being re-
ported promptly TO Washington.
It was pointed out that the battleship
Delaware is lying outside the Virginia
Capos and the coast I'm the vicinity is
patrolled by naval vessels and cutters Of
the revenue service. No such battle could
have been fought without these sea SEN
tinels knowing Of 1t, and as all are
equipped with powerful wireless outfits
the information promptly would have been
relaycd to the Navy Department. big
wireless towers at Arlington.