davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1914-12-23
Fleet Bombarding Coast
Drives Away Submarines

Dover tvia London, Dec. 22. Brit
ish warships have been doing effective
work in bombarding German positions
along the Belgian coast. They have
time after time made the voyage
across the North Sea. engaged posi-
tions that the Germans had strongly
fortified, destroyed batteries, caused
great loss of life among the enemy's
troops and returned safely to port.
These operations have had particular
value in the destruction, or partial de-
struction, Of the submarine base the
Germans were creating at IeebrUgge.
The destruction of German batteries
in a radius of several miles inland
has enabled the allied troops 20 make
appreciable advances in the last few
days. Some of the batteries which
we're engaged at the week end were
mounted two or more miles inland and
consisted of heavy guns. A gratifying
feature Of these operations has been
the fact that remarkably few casual
ties were sustained on the warships
The German submarines on several oc-
casions endeavored to make their pres
ence felt during these bombardments,
but the destroyers very effectively pro-
tected the heavier vessels and drove off
the attacking submarines.
II is feature well worth noting
that the Germans have never attempted
to attack the bombarding fleet from the
sea except by submarines. and the Ger
man army has not been able to obtain
the least assistance from the powerful
German navy while this destruction of
positions on their right wing and the
disastrous loss of life accompanying
it has been proceeding.
New-York tribune., 1914-12-23
JOFFRE GETS RID
OF "a GENERALS
Unfit and Incompetent Com.
manders Are Being Weeded
Out of French Army.

Paris, Dec 22.-rwenty-four gen
erals have been retired by General
Joffre, the French generalissimo, ac-
cording to the headquarters list made
public to-day. This officially confirms
the report that the commander in chief
has been wedding out unfit and in
competent leaders without regard for
rank or influence.
Ten generals Of divisions have been
placed on the reserve list. Five Of
these were retired "for reasons of
health" and four "for reasons of per-
sonal convenience" No reason was
stated in the case of the tenth general.
Eleven brigade generals were also
retired. four of them "for reasons of
health" and two "for reasons of per-
soral convenience" No reasons were
stated in the cases of the other five.
In addition, the retirement of one
division and two brigade generals Of
colonial troops is recorded.
New-York tribune., 1914-12-23
Allies Spare Germans
Plans for Christmas

Bcrlin (bv wireless to Sayville, Long
TsIond). Dec. 22.-Among the items
given out for publication to-day by
The official press bureau were the TO-
"Tbe order of General Joffre for an
offensive movement has confirmed the
belief held here for some days that the
Auies in the west were about to at
tpmpt an advance. Thus far. however,
tbeir attempts everywhere have failed
and the situation seems little changed
"a French report said the French
nosition near Albert had reached the
entanglements of the second line OF
German trenches. The headquarters
statement admits that eighty freach-
men came this far, but that they were
all captured. The French claim that
tho German attacks near Saint Hubert
all failed. is answered with the state
ment that the Germans took 500 prls-
oners in these attacks, eXtermlnatlng
utterly the 9th Battalion OF French
chasseurs." ,,.-,
The newspapers here to-day publish
an unofficial statement from headquar-
ters in answer to the official French
war bulletin of December Is. The
French report asserted that several
trenches had been taken at Auchy, La
Bassee, Saint Laurent and Blangy. The
statement from headquarters says all
these places lie in the rear of the Ger
man petitions.
A special correspondent Of the
"Koelnische Zeitung," who has just ar
rived at the headquarters of the Duke
of Wurttemburg telegraphs that the
comparative quiet hitherto prevailing
on the west front has given place with
In the last three days 10 unusual ac-
tiyity. The soldiers have dropped ali
thoughts of preparing for a Christmas
celebration.
The French and British, adds the
correspondent, have been trying for
several days TO break through the Ger
man positions. especially at Nleuport
and on the User Canal. supported by
very strong reserves. They have main
tanned a stubborn fire upon the Ger
man positions with their heaviest ar
tillery. Nowhere, says the correspond
ent. have they achieved the desired
success. The spirit of the German
troops everywhere is excellent.
New-York tribune., 1914-12-23
Her Losses Greater in
Proportion than Those
of Belgium.
COUNTRY SACKED
BY THE AUSTRlANS
British Bishops and Others Join
in Appeal for the Servian
Relief Fund.
rBy Csbl. to The Thsuns ]

London. Dec. 23.-An appeal IN behalf
Of the Servian Relief Fund, signed
among others, by Lord Curzon, the
Bishop of London and oxford, the Rev.
+. b. Never and Sir Valentine ChlroL
contains a strong Indictment or Austrl-
an policy in the recent disastrous inva-
sion of Servia. 49,,
"The losses suffered by this little
people Of hardly more than four mill
ion souls I'm the course Of this pro-
longed struggle have been terrible in
deed" says the appeal. "ln proportion
TO the number of population the ratio
is far beyond that suffered by the other
allies, even including the Belgians. The
need has far Outrun the resources OF
Servia itself.
an the case Of wounded, it must be
remembered, moreover, that the very
success of the Servian arms has thrown
upon the mercy of its inhabitants tens
of thousands Of wounded soldiers be-
longing TO the enemy's forces. To cope
with anything like the number OF cases
there is neither staff nor appliances.
Accommodation is so deficient, indeed,
that French nurse who recently was
working at Valjevo writes that she
saw wounded men who had been crowd
cu out Ol any oOIk VI Sht4Nci lfAhS ~
the streets in the rain on some straw
and sacking. -,
"'There were no surgeons 20 attend
to them she writes. Not only the
sight, but the smell of blood was every
where as passed along the streets.
"But this is not all Austro- Hun
garian commanders have adopted the
new German barbarism as to the con-
duct Of operations. Villages have been
methodically sacked, and many IN.
habitants and others, even boys OF
twelve and old people over seventy,
have been carried off to bondage, re-
calling the methods of ancient Babylon.
"The Servian Relief Fund has made
itself a medium OF assistance IN every
form, whether for Red Cross purposes
or for starving refugees. Thanks to
the timely assistance of the Admiralty
a complete hospital unit under Lady
Paget, with the cooperation of st.
Johns Ambulance Association, has
been sent out. 1t already is in full ac-
tivity at Uskub, and the following tele-
gram Just received from Lady Paget
will give some idea of the greatness of
the distress:
"'Conditions defy description. Every
thing is given out. Wounded Sevians
and Austrians pouring in day and
night. Impossible TO cope with situa-
tion unless we receive immediate
help"
New-York tribune., 1914-12-23
Germans Break Through
Intrenchments in BZura

General Mackensen's Headquarters
(Russian), Saturday, Dec. l9 (via Ber-
lin, The Hague and London). delayed
i'm transmission THE Russians. in re
treat before the army of General
Mackensen, are making an effort to ef-
feet a stand in strong natural line be-
tween the Bzura and Rawka rivers:
This line had previously been fortified
and the Russians are now trying TO
hold it. The Germans, however, have
already broken through, and II Is
thought that the Russians will be
obliged to fall back still further, al
though they are attempting TO check
the German advance by counter Of
fensive.
The Associated Press correspondent
met 1000 prisoners this afternoon east
of Lowicz under a small escort, and
was informed by the commanding gen
eral that he regarded the situation for
the Germans as excellent. He eX-
pressed the opinion, however, that
heavy fighting would be necessary be
fore the Russians would be obliged to
retire behind the Nistula.
LODI has suffered little through the
bombardment, but the unemployed
workmen are destitute.
New-York tribune., 1914-12-23
Germans Repair Lines of
Communication in France

Amsterdam (via London, Dec. % -
The "Telegraaf" learns from Berlin
that the Germans have restored the
railways from Charlevlle, in the De-
partment of the Ardennes, opposite
Mezieres, to Rheims, and from Hirson
in Aisne, TO Montmedy. in the Depart
ment of the Meuse. twenty-five miles
north Of Verdun, which the French de-
stroyed when retreating early in the
war
The railways to Givet, in the De-
partment of Ardennes, on the Belgian
border. according to the same dis
patch, will be opened shortly, while
the bridges over the Meuse near
Lumes. Flize and Donchery, all south
east Of Mezicres, are again open.
Blocked tunnels near Montmedy and
Mohon, the last named point just
south Of M6zieres. have also been put
into condition to be utilized.
This dispatch indicates that, de-
spite the war operations, the Ger
mans are busily engaged restoring
lines of communication in the ter
ritory Of Northern France occu-
pied by them, which lines were de-
stroyed by the French when they
retreated from the Belgian from
tier early in the war
New-York tribune., 1914-12-23

levies are being sent to the Polisn
front. -.
Details have been received Of the at
tempt made by the Austrians 70 pierce
the Russian lines facing the Carpa-
THAN Mountains st Sanok and LisEo
Yesterday. which failed, IN spite OF
fierce night attack on the RUSSIAN
trenches near Lisko. -.
The garrison Of the Austrian forv,
ress of Przemysl. seemingly INFORMED
~ the movements OF the Austrian
Caynathian army, made sorue com
cident with the Austrian attacks
though separated by thirty-hye miles
from Lisko.
Aviator Brought Down.
aesumed that an Austrian of1eer,
-. s,iator shot down at Bircla, four
,aor miles southwes tof Przemysl, was
carving messages between the Two
Austrian forces.
The Austrian operations, are rem
dered difficult by the fact that valleys
north and south Of this region cut the
troops into separate columns ana MAKE
a massed front impossible
The chief scene of the recent opera
tions is about the mouth OF Mesola-
borcz Pass. which IS traversed oy
double track railroad from Homanna,
with the nearest railroad 20 the west
ffty miles away. The nearest pass 10
the east is about the same distance
and is held by the Russians.
New-York tribune., 1914-12-23
Austrians Fighting South
of the Carpathian Passes

Vienna Via Amsterdam TO London)'
Dec. 22.-The following official state
ment was issued tonight:
"In the Carpathians we are hghtihg
south Of the mountain ridge IN the
district embraced by the Rivers Nag
yag. Latorza and ing.
an Galicia yesterday MONDAY tne
Russians renewed the offensive with
ont succeeding IN breaking through
on the lower Dunajec particularly
they suffered severe losses.
"Along the Nida River and the dls-
trict south Of Tomasz0w there has
been slight fighting. The engagements
. in front of Przemysl continue"
Berlin, Dec % (by wireless TO say
vile. n. YD.-The following was given
ont by the Official Press Bureau to-day:
an West Galicia the Russians are
holding the east bank Of the DunaJec
River to Tuchow, and another line ex-
tends southeastward past krosno'
Heavy fighting is proceeding on 6oth
these lines and also in the Lupkow
Pass.
"a dispatchh from Budapest says the
Austrians are preparing a final blow
against the Servians, but gives no IN
timation of what form it will take"
New-York tribune., 1914-12-23
1900 Yards of Trenches
Taken, Says Paris Report

Paris. Dec. 22-The following Of
fetal communication was issued by the
French War Office tonight:
"To the northwest of Puisalenne.
south Of Noyon. the enemy executed
last night violent counter attacks,
which were all repulsed.
"To the south Of Narennes we gained
a foothold last night in Boureuilles.
Our attacks continued to-day, and we
appear TO have made progress in the
vicinity Of Boureuilles and to the west
Of Nauquols.
There is nothing yet TO report con-
cerning the rest of the 'front.'
Following is the text of the official
report issued this afternoon:
Between the sea and the Lys dur
ing the day of December u there was
nothing other than artillery engage
ments. Between the Lys and the Aisne
we repulsed German attacking col
umn which was endeavoring to come
out from Oarency, and we took several
houses at Blangy.
"An attack of the enemy on Mametz
and the nearby trenches made il inn
New-York tribune., 1914-12-23
AMERICA PRAISED
FOR ship OF GIFTS
London Newspaper Says
People of This Country
Have Most Sentiment.

London, Dec. 23.-"The Daily Tele-
graph" in an editorial referring to the
collection being made in the United
States on behalf Of the Belgian relief
fund which it is organizing in this
country says:
"If there Is generous-hearted race
in either hemisphere it is the Ameri-
can. They pride themselves before the
world on being the most businessllke
people on earth. Perhaps they are, but
they are certainly, though they some
times affect TO doubt it, the most senti-
mental. They are full of scnsibility;
their emotions are easily played upon
and excited. II an idea touches them
in a tender spot they give IN at once
and they translate 1t into action with
as much yigor as though there were big
money in il, when. as a matter OF fact,
the only money In it is what they have
to find in order to indulge their par
ticular emotion.
Take, for example, the Christmas
shin Jason, which rect dly crossed the
Atlantic bearing the most curious
freight ever packed on board a ship
of war, A cargo of toys for the children
who have lost their fathers in the war
That good fairy inspiration might have
occurred to Hans Andersen, but only
America could carry it out on scale
large enough to provide with a Christ
mas toy every child in Great Britain,
France. Belgium, Germany, Austria,
Servia and Russia whose father had
been killed in the war"
"The Daily Telegraph also pays a
high tribute TO the work which Ameri-
cans already have done for the Belgian
people, and declares that "but for the
good Offices of the American Minister
in Brussels and the energy Of the
American Relief Committee II is diff
cult to see how the unfortunate Bel
gians who have remained in their ma
tive land could survive the winter
New-York tribune., 1914-12-23
HUSH! KAISER HAS GUN BEDS
HIDDEN ON STATEN ISLAND
Amazing Discovery of Germanys Secret Preparations Or
Grymes Hill to Overpower Forts Wadsworth and
Hamilton Gives Shivers to Greater City.

On the worst and lowest authority
possible The Tribune is enabled 20
state. in great fear of successful con-
tradiction, that the Borough of Rich
mond, which occupies Staten Island,
has been making preparations to Sc
cede from the City of New York and
make war on Manhattan and Brooklyn.
reporter for news organization
which covers" Staten Island was in
formed yesterday by several inmates
of the borough that they had discov-
cred concrete gun emplacements in the
cellars of many of the houses on
Grymes Hill. The residents said the
houses had been built several years
ago and the implscements have been
acting demurely as foundations for
these houses.
If true, the Importance Of this dis
covery is too obvious TO require more
than half column in which TO empha-
size il.
Grymes Hill is one Of the highest
promontories in Richmond Borough,
and when the guns are mounted they
will command the rear Of Fort Wads-
worth, which is on Staten Island, and
the front of Fort Hamilton, on the
Brooklyn shore. across the Narrows.
Unless the Fort Wadsworth coast
defence guards join the Staten Island
Rebels they will be in a bad way. The
fort guns were set years ago, with no
IDEA that they would be called on for
anv work save that of pumping shells
across the water. When the Richmond
Rebels declare war the soldiers at the
Wadsworth guns will be shot in the
back by the Grymes Hill forces. And
the Fort Hamilton soldiers will be shot
in the face.
A man of mysterious mien was seen
New-York tribune., 1914-12-23

entering one of the cellars yesterday
afternoon, and the reporter was in
formed by several persons who saw
the stranger thas he was Secret
Service man sent out 10 investigate
the situation and report what progress
had been made in the war preparation
One Of his curious audience stole up
TO him and said:
"What are you doing around here =
The stranger drew the inquirer
around TO the back OF the house
peered in all directions neryously, sno'
placing his lips close to the others
left ear, whispered:
"Sh-h h-h-hl I'm going down 70 1905
at the meter. I'm the gas man"
That answer confirms every U''
picion, for every time a Secret aI'
vice man Is dispatched on sabh
Island war inquiry he is told 20 repre-
sent himself as a gas man.
II is believed that by the end Of lis
week the Staten Island ferrybosts VI"
be taken of and used in bringing n
supplies from New Jersey Alfesdl
some of the Baltimore & Ohio Rsilrosl
floats at st. George have been ttted up
for duty as first class cruisers
Rumor has it that Elizabethport' n
j., has expressed its intention OF sid'
ing the rebels. In Staplet0n, fof'
mer resident Of New Jersey Is tran
ing mosquitoes TO be used in the even
that the war continues until next SUE
mer.
Captain Elijah Martindale, con-
mandant at Wadsworth, and Captain
A. Hunter Platt, commanding Troop
F, lst Cavalry, Of Staten Island Is'
fused to say more than two columns
each. Boiled down, II came 70:
Bunk"
New-York tribune., 1914-12-23

possible for our troops 10 make ma
terial progress in this direction. IN
tho region of Lihons three attacks OF
the enemy were repulsed.
1--WE made slight gains to the eas.
and 70 the west of Tracy-le-E Val, ana
our artillery delivered an efhcaclous
fire on the plateau of Nouvron.
an the sectors of the Aisne and OF
Rheims there were artillery engage
ments. ,,o
ain Champagne and in the Argoonnei
IN the vicinity Of Souain, there nave .
been violent bayonet engagements We
have not made perceptible progress Ii
this region. We have occupied, IN the
suburbs Of Perthes-les es-Hurlus' three
German positions, representing iron ~
of intrenchments 1,500 yards long, 10
tho northeast OF Beauseiour we nave
consolidated the positions occupied oy
us December 20. and we have occupied
all the trenches in the immediate VI
cinitv Of Mount Calvaire.
an the Forest of La Grurie our
nroorees continues. At Saint Hubert
We renulsed ar attack in the Forest OF
Bolants. Here certain ground had been
lost. but we recaptured two-thlrds Oh IL
"Between the Argonne and the Meuse
there has been slight progress. In thee
suburbs of Vauquois, 20 the nortn OF
tho Forest of Malancourt, our troops
we're successful in making their way
through barbed wire enlargement
and in taking possession of certain
trenches Of the enemy, where they
maintained themselves. a.,
"On the right bank Of the Meuse, IN
the Forest Of Consenvoye. we hrst lost
and then reconduered. after a lively
6g6t. the territory gained by US De-
From the heights of the Meuse 70
the Vosges there is nothing to report.
New-York tribune., 1914-12-23
1000 AUSTRIANS
KILLED IN WRECb

London. Dec. 23.-Nearly 1000 Asi
trian soldiers are reported 10 have ees
killed or injured in a collision Of ~
troop trains near kalisz, Russn
Poland. according TO Petrogrst ~
patch to THE Daily Telegraph ~
trains are reported TO have met vhs
going at full speed owing to the s3
dental opening of a switch. Many :
the cars were reduced to matchwood y
the impact and their passengS'
crushed into a shapeless mass.
New-York tribune., 1914-12-23
4S9,733 FRENCH
SOLDIERS TREATED

Paris, Dec. 22.-Almost half a mill
ion wounded soldiers were treated in
French hospitals between September
10 and November 30.
The figures were submitted 10 the
Army Committee of the Chamber of
Deputies by the chairman of the COM
mttee, NJ. Troussaint who gave the
precise number as 4S9,733. OF this
total 2.4S per cent died.
New-York tribune., 1914-12-23
CHALLENGES DR.. HILLS

The Rev. DR.. Newell Dwight Hills,
pastor Of Plymouth Church, Brooklyn,
was challenged last night by Henry
Welsmann, president of the German
American Alliance in Brooklyn, to a
debate on the war. Mr. Weismann
wants to meet the preacher in the
Brooklyn Academy of Music.
Supplementing his condemnation of
the Kaiser and the militarism of the
German Empire, the preacher declared
yesterday that the COMMUNICATIONS
hold the key to peace and ought TO
use their influence TO end the war.
Mr.. Weismann said: 81 do not be-
lieve there is any force in America
that can affect the situation. DR.. Hill
lis is all wrong in his contention. as
in his belief that the cause of the war
Is Germany's desire for the iron mines
Of France"
New-York tribune., 1914-12-23
Russians Strip Country OF
Food Before Intrenchlng

London, Dec. GA correspondent OF
"The Daily Chronicle" telegraphs
from Petrograd the following:
81 have lust come from Warsaw ana
from the territory which the Germans
are now occupying across ne country
which will see the next battles. MY
route from Skierniewice was by way
of Rawa Nowemisslo and Grogec'
where the retiring Germans in OCTOBER
broke up the roads. Ine RUSSIAN
engineers. however, have done wonders
I must naturally avoid too spoclhc
description. but cannot emphasize TOO
strongly my admiration OF the mag
nifcent foresight, energy ana mil
tsyv genius which is directing the
operations on this front No one who
bas seen the Russians at work can be
doubtful of the issue Of this war.
Il have seen retreats before, but
never a retreat so deliberate and un-
hurried as this. To understand the
conditions, one must realize that the
retreat now taking place IL a retreat
from the southern and central por-
tion of the line where the Russians
are not pressed by the Germans. In
the north, from Sochaczew TO the Wis.
tula, where the fighting is hottest ana
the German attacks heaviest, the re-
treat has not commenced, and, at the
time of writing, so far from yielding
or falling back, the Russian command
or Of that line has caused the Germans
to fall back.
Eleven Charges Repulsed.
"On Sunday the German attack cul-
minated in 2 desperate attempt TO
carry the Russian trenches. Eleven
separate times they tried to rush the
positions and each time they were
driven back with fearful losses. The
Germans were ordered TO leave their
tunics behind them in the trenches, so
that. though the men might be lost,
their uniforms would remain to clothe
others. SO all the men who charged
tho Russian positions did so in their
shirt sleeves. All the wounded who
remained on the Russians hands told
the same story. Every man, before
charging. was served with a drink OF
spirits mixed with ether. This fact
is amply confirmed.
"By morning the battle had drift
cd to the north and the Germans
were transferring their guns toward
the Vistula in reply TO a heavy fire
from the Russian artillery. After the
slaughter Of the night the intensity of
the attack diminished and, slowly,
under Russian pressure, the German
right, with the Russian infantry driv-
ing them and their great guns across
New-York tribune., 1914-12-23
TURKS THREATEN
ALL FOREIGNERS
lBg Cahle % N. Trl1un. !

Rome, Dec. 22.-The captain OF im
steamer Capri, which arrived - Nsple
to-day from Hodeida, says that wac
the Italian Consul was going on boar
the cruiser OiulIana a bowling no.
uttered execrations against Europte'h'
and maltreated the French Consul.
When a warship threatened 20 oon
bard Hodeida the Kasmskam replt!
by threatening TO massacre the en'H'
foreign colony.
New-York tribune., 1914-12-23
BOMBS AIMED AT CHURCH
Titular Institution of Cardinal
O'Connell Damaged.

Rome, Dec. pa small bomb ex-
ploded to-day in the courtyard of the
basilica of San Clemente, which is the
ttular church Of Cardinal O'Connell
Of Boston Another bomb, which had
failed 20 explode, was found.
No damage was done, except that
windows Of the church were broken.
New-York tribune., 1914-12-23
German Enjoys Work in Rome
Alarms Vienna Into Action
~ Cable 70 The Tribune !

2The
o Christmas 1t
that his
alarming
widen the breach
receiving
a
New-York tribune., 1914-12-23
Japanese Cruiser at Callao.

Lima. Peru, Dec. 22.-The Japanese
cruiser Azums arrived at Callao to-day.
The Idzumo, which reached Callao yes
terday, sailed to-doy.