davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-02-23
FLANDERS like
WORLD WHEN ALL
HAVE PERISHED
Flooded Farms, Mud, Ruin, Desola-
ton and Death Present Horrible
Picture of Conditions There.
BELG1ANs TO BE FREE, OR DIE
Is Gloomiest Spot on Earth-Simms
Tells of Germans Brave Advance
to Death in User Flood.

Following is the first of a
series Of articles by William
Philip Simms, who has made
trip along the Belgian lines by
special invitation of the Belgian
war Office.
Mr.. Simms has just returned
to Paris from his tour This is
the second time he has received
a special invitation from one of
the belligerents. He was the
first American chosen by the
French government to make a
tour of the battlelines under
official escort, being the only
American newspaperman who
made the trip to the front with
the party of foreign diplomatic
attaches in November.
Simms made his trip to the
Belgian front accompanied by a
staff officer and was afforded ex-
ceptional opportunities to see
exactly how the Belgians waged
war.
The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-02-23
OP TON UP TOMORROW
Is Made Special Order Charles Stu
art is Candidate for State I'm
migration Commissioner.
ST. LOUIS HEARING TONIGHT
Omitted Pross)

st. Paul, Feb. 23.-County option
has been made a special order for
tomorrow night at Z o'clock in the
house. Much interest was taken in
the announcement. All spectators
must secure places in the galleries
for an order was made today that no
one, other than legislators, will be
allowed on the floor.
There was no session of the senate
this morning because several mem
bers who returned home for Sunday,
had not returned, storms having in
terfered *@'
A public hearing will be held this
evening on the question of the divid-
ing on st. Louis county.
It became known here today that
Charles Stuart, political writer on the
Minneapolis Tribune, is a candidate
for immigration commissioner, the
position now held by Fred Sherman.
The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-02-23
ROTARIANS AT PHILADELPHIA

philadelphia, Feb. 23.-The tenth
anniversary Of the International Ro-
tary club was celebrated here today
when the conclave of the eastern di-
vision, comprising seventeen clubs,
met. Following adjournment of the
afternoon session, the visiting clubs
will see the city on a sightseeing tour
Governor Braumbaugh will be the
guest of honor and is expected to de-
liver an address at the banquet in the
Manufacturer club in the evening.
An elaborate program has been pro-
vided for the wives of the delegates.
The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-02-23
EDUCATORS AT CINCINNATI.

Cincinnati, o., Feb. 23.-Between
$500 and 5000 school superintend-
ents from all parts of the country
arrived here today to attend the
three-day meeting Of the department
of superintendent of the National
Educational association. Many edu-
Gators Of national reputation are on
the program for addresses. An ex-
tensive exhibit is being held in con-
nection with the convention. The
entertainment program includes Wis
it's to schools, universities, industries
and places of historical interest.
The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-02-23
LIQUOR CASES MAY
DELAY DARNELL CASE
UNITED Press)

Milwaukee, Feb. 23.-It is be-
lieved that the Rev. Darnell white
slavery case will not be reached be-
fore Thursday, the delay being caused
because Of the trial of several liquor
cases which are now in progress. Ruth
Soper Darnell, accompanied by her
mother and Attorney Leach, left Owa-
tonna this morning for Milwaukee.
The presence of the attorney adds
considerable interest to the case.
The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-02-23
ANOTHER NEUTRAL SHIP
VICTIM OF BLOCKADE
UNITED Pre4Rl

London, Feb. 3d. Another neutral
vessel has fallen victim to German
submarines. The Norwegian steamer
Regin was torpedoed in the English
Channel, off Dover, this morning. The
Regin sank in fifteen minutes. Sew
eral channel ships closed in and pick
ed up twenty-five 81 her crew and
taken to Dover. The Regin was car
rying coal from Tye to Bordeaux, and
the explosion wrecked her while she
was picking her way through the
channel This is the second neutral
vessel sunk, the other also being a
Norwegian, and there is no doubt
here but that both were sunk by Ger
man submarines.
The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-02-23
TO RAISE DAKOTA RATES.

Pierre. 8. D., Feb. 23.That an
advance in passenger rates will be
made from South Dakota points to
other points in the nation. was the
assertion of railroad companies to-
day. The fare from Huron to Min
neapolis will be increased SO cents.
The fare from Huron to Chicago will
undergo an increase Of 1921. The
rate to Milwaukee will be boosted
$3.50 and the rate to Omaha will
be raised ~ cents. Other rate In
creases will be general throughout
the state,
The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-02-23
insult AMERICAN WOMEN
Omitted PreSS)

London, Feb. 23.-Dispatches from
Geneva travellers arriving at Basel,
Switzerland, report that six Americ-
ans, including two women, were in
suited and mistreated by Germans on
account their speaking only English.
Soldiers tore off one woman's waist,
but the Americans were finally res
cued by German officer. The dis
patch says that many Americans are
leaving Germany.
The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-02-23
BEM1DU DEFEATS WALKER.
Visitors Prove No Match for Fast
Palace Aggregation.

Showing good teamwork and ex-
cellent basket shooting, the Palace
Meat market five last evening de-
feated the Walker city team by a
score of ~ to 8. The Bemidji boys
completely outclassed their oppon-
ents, who appeared lost on the large
Armory playing floor. Elletson and
Riley, at forwards, starred, as did
Newton at center. Ripple, Crosby
and Walker guarded, well.
The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-02-23
ON TRIAL FOR MURDER.

San Francisco, Feb. 23.-Vernon
Fowler, charged with the murder of
William Fassett on the night of Dec
1S, went on trial today before SUI
perior Judge Griffin. Fowler is &C
cused of being one of three burglars
who entered the home and shot Fas-
sett down while they were robbing
the place. i
The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-02-23
SINKING OF EYEL YIN
BRINGS NO PROTEST
President Wilson Sees No Danger in
Situation Might Blame British,
Germans or Dutch.
NO WAY TO FIX RESPONSIBLE
Boat Had No Right to Move Through
Mined Field Without Proper Pilot
Holland Coast Protected.
Washington, Feb. 23:-Pres-
ident Wilson is not alarmed be-
cause of the Steamer Evelyn
situation. No diplomatic pro-
tests will be made.
BY J. w. T. MASON.

New York, Feb. 23.-The destruc-
ton of the American steamer, Evelyn,
off the German coast of Borkum, may
have been due to a: British, German
or Dutch mine. Unless one of these
governments informs the United
States voluntarily that it placed the
mine where the Evelyn was blown
up, there is no way of fixing the re-
sponsibility. ~
i In any case, responsibility for mine
disasters is not closely defined in in
ternational law. A critical situation
would not ordinarily arise between
belligerent and a neutral nation
over such an incident as the sinking
the of Evelyn. Special circumstan-
ces would have to be proven before
relations would be strained. Thus,
if the mines were not fixed with con-
tact machinery, or so that it could
only be exploded by an electric cur
rent, worked from the shore, the af-
fair would be similar in it's conse-
Quences to the destruction of a neut-
raj ship by a submarine.
In German Water.
1t is not reasonable to believe that
but contact mine caused the catas-
trophe. The waters where the Eve
Ign went down are German and if the
mine was stationary, it was probably
placed there by the Germans. But
it is difficult to understand in this
case why a pilot from Borkum was
not taken on board the Evelyn. Tie
Germans have declared the coastal
waters of Holland outside the new
war zone It appears that the Eve
lyn had made her way safely through
the Dutch waters and was just en-
tering the defensive war zone, along
the German coast, when the accident
happened. Why the Germans did
not take better precautions to guard
cargo destined for their mills,
if indeed the mine was German one,
is mystery. The most reasonable
supposition on the theory is that the
Evelyn tried to move through Ger
man mine field without a local pilot
May Have Been British.
It is possible, however, that the
mine. was laid by the British navy.
The English government has reserved
to itself the retaliatory measures be-
cause of German mine, laying along
the coast of the British Isles and
there have been recent, suggestions
that mines were being strewn in Ger
man waters. If the mine was neither
English nor German, but was Dutch,
it must have broken from it's original
moorings and drifted north along the
Borkum coast The Dutch govern
ment has mined various coastal areas
as matter of self-protection and it
would be quite possible for one of
those mines to free itself from it's
moorings and drift into German wa
tiers. Or the mine might have broken
away from the German or English
moorings. If under these confusing
conditions the American ambassadors
at London and Berlin are able to fix
the responsibility they must secure
confidential information from the
British and German authorities.
The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-02-23
Dies From Injuries.

Jack Roberts, who was brought to
Bemidji yesterday from the John Mo-
berg logging camp, located one mile
north of Nushka, east Of Bena, suf-
fering from a fractured skull, died
at local hospital this morning. Rob-
erts was working on the TANNER
when the cable broke, the large boom
falling on his head. 81
The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-02-23
WOULD EXPECT WAR
~. If U. s. SHIP IS sunk
By ED KEN.

Copyright 1915 by United Press.
London, Feb. 23.-"Germany will
sink no American ship unless by de-
sign. A German torpedo, finding as
its mark the hull of an American yes
sci, will have been aimed and fred
from Berlin. If an American mer-
chairman is sunk it will be for the
express purpose of dragging America
into the war; The speaker was
England's best known and best loved
sailor, Admiral Lloyd Charles Beres-
ford.
The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-02-23
BUTTERMAKERS COMPETE.

Mason City, Ia, Feb. ga big
scrap between buttermakers of Iowa
and Minnesota for the highest prize
in ALTERNATING, is promised here to-
day for the National Buttermakers'
association convention, here March
9 to II. Last year the best of the
deal seemed to lay with Iowa
The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-02-23
HAS ). HOPE FOR PASSAGE
UNITED Press)

Washington, Feb. 23.-President
Wilson this morning in converse
ton with newspaper men said that he
sees possibility for the passage of
the ships purchase bill, which has
been left without amendment by con-
ference: The president says that
some minor changes are necessary be-
fore it is placed before the senate.
The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-02-23

Miss Capitola Stewart has resigned
her position as bookkeeper and clerk
with the Segal Emporium company,
and has accepted position at the
Bazaar store, having commenced her
duties there this morning.
The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-02-23

Lester and Angus Vandersluis, sons
of Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Vandersluis,
went to Minneapolis last evening,
where they will spend three weeks,
the guests of relatives. Mr.. Vanders-
luis accompanied them to the cities.
The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-02-23
LaBaw is Chairman

Lee A. LaBaw has been selected as
chairman Of the auditing committee
of the Minnesota Court Reporters
association. Willis Z. Wyman, who
is reporting the term now in session
here, is secretary treasurer of the as
ISOLATION, and j. J. Cameron, formerly
of this city, but now reporting in
Duluth, is vice-president.
The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-02-23
GERMANS INCREASE
YpREs ACTIVITIES
Omitted Press)

London, Feb. 23.-Germans are in
creasing their activities around
Ypres. It has been admitted that the
Germans destroyed British advance
line trenches Sunday. This German
gain was offset by a British victory
at Labassee. In the vicinity of the
Lys river. rifle fire is. daily increasing
in volume.
The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-02-23
POGUECASE COURT
FOR FOURTH TINE
Action Of Former Bemidji Mayor
Against Great Northern Will Be
Tried in District Court Tomorrow
CITY MUST PAY $500 DAMAGES
Jury Finds Nicholson May Collect
for Injury Done Property by Con-
struction of Pavement.

For the fourth time the case of
J. P. Pogue, the Bemidji liveryman
and for several terms mayor of this
city, against the Great Northern
railroad company, will be taken up
in district court tomorrow.
On October %, 1909, Pogue's au-
tomobile was struck by a Great
Northern freight train at Wilton
crossing, and it was as result Of
this accident that the suit for dam
ages was brought. The first case
went to trial before Judge w. s. Nc
Clenahan, of Brainerd, and was dis
missed by the plaintiff. A short time
later it was again called for trial and
this time it was dismissed by Judge
McClenahan on motion of the de-
PENDANT at the conclusion of the
plaintiffs case. ~" '.~ .-
Was Given Verdict.
The third time the case was tried
before Judge B. F. Wright, verdict
of $4,000 being awarded the plain
tiff. The Great Northern, through
it's attorneys, A. L. James, former as
sistant attorney general, and Thayer
C. Bailey, asked for new trial,
which the state supreme court
granted. *.-:
Judge Stanton to Preside.
When the case is called tomorrow
Judge c. w. Stanton will be found
on the bench, Judge Wright, who is
presiding at the term, not desiring to
again hear the case. The plaintiff
will be represented by Attorneys John
Gibbons and Judge M. A. SpooHer,
and A. L. James and Thayer C. Bailey,
will appear for the defendant 49,
City Must Pay Damages,
Late Monday afternoon the case of
Michael Nicholson, who asks dam
ages from the City of Bemidji for
injury done to his Nymore property
because of the establishment OF the.
pavement leading to that village, last
summer; went to the Jury and two
hours later verdist Of $500 was re-
turned. P. J. Russell, city attorney,
stated this morning that an appeal
for a new trial will be made. A. stay
of 40 days has been granted.
Wright Case to Jury.
This morning the case of Sorepson
Brothers against Yves Wright, occu-
pied the attention of the court. The
action is brought to collect SIS for
a carload of hay which Wright claims
was not accepted by him because of
poor quality. Charles Scrutchin, for
the plaintiff, and P. J. Russell, for the
defendant, completed their arguments
late this forenoon and Judge Wright
charged the jury just before the noon
recess.
Sue On q Note.
The case of J. c. Johnson, repre-
scented by Attorney Russell, against
Leota r. Dickinson, who is defended
| by Attorney Carl L. Hebron, is now
on trial. This is a suit on a note.
Judgment for Plaintiffs.
Two labor claim cases were
heard by Judge Wrivht this noon,
judgments for the plaintiffs being or
dered in both. The plaintiff, rep
resented by Attorney o. A. Naplin,
of Thief River Falls, testified, but
there was no appearance on the part
of the defendants. The cases were
brought by Joe Stumpvall and Theo-
dore Reisner against John Webster
Stanley. IL. /
The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-02-23
By WILLIAM PHILIP SIMMS.

With the Belgian Army HeadQuar-
tiers at -, Feb. 7. (By Mail to
New York. Did you ever in the
most hideous nightmare of your life
dream of what hell is like, with the
River Styx running with dead bodies
floating in the stream and miles and
miles of OOze and mud and stencil
and ruin and desolation all along it's
shores? If you have, you can pic
ture what things are like here along
the User, where the Belgian army is
fighting the oldest, gruesome and
most frightfuh battle the world ever
has seen.
Troops Suffer War at Its Worst.
Elsewhere along the great lines Of
trenches, there is ,slush and mud, for
this winter has broken records for
rainfall And everywhere the troops
are suffering war at it's worst. But
the worst conditions at other points
would be the best in Flanders, where
the whole country is one vast marsh,
full of wreck and ruin, dead men and
dead animals, where a few months
ago were beautiful farms not to be
bought for 5000 an acre.
To Free Belgium or Die.
Grimly determined to drive the Ger
mans out of their country, new
Belgian army has sprung up. It gets
it's inspiration from King Albert, who
refuses now, as he has refused all
along, to acknowledge defeat. To free
Belgium or to die under it's floods is
kings slogan, so his men say, and
with him stands every able-bodied
Belgian facing this scene of surpass-
ing desolation with a fervor almost
uncanny. The king has, become al
most a god to the Belgians, patriot
death glory to aspire to. The Bel
gian story of the battle of the User,
still in progress, is set forth for the
first time. It was told me by one OF
the kings principal aides.
Ordered to Hold User Three Days.
Following Antwerp, the Belgian
army of $4,000 men Of all arms re-
tired down the coast Of the North
sea closely pursued by the Germans.
The Belgians were given no rest.
They had no reserves and with a light
artillery could do little against the
heavy German feldpieces. Also the
Germans had pitted against the Bel
gians at this time, by their own Off
cial reports, 10000 men.
When the User was reached the
Belgians were ordered to hold their
positions for three days at any cost
until the allies could send reinforce
ments. This was on Oct. II. In
stead of three days, they held out
for six
Liege All Over Again.
It was Liege all over again with
the Belgians bearing the brunt. On
the 22nd the Germans broke through
by sheer weight of numbers. On the
23rd the French came up at LON.
bertzyde, but the Belgians, worn out
though they were, instead Of resting
fell back on their own center ant
aided in checking the Germans.
It was now decided to flood the
country. The User is a small Missis
sippi in which the bed is higher thar
the surrounding country. The sea
too, is higher. -. "
Germans Advance to Death.
So the gates in the dykes were
raised and the water was let in, flood
ing and running thousands of fer
tile farms for years to come. Slowly
but surely the waters rose, trapping
the Germans, who bravely fought for
ward instead of saving themselve
as they so easily could have done b!
retreating. Belgian officers make nj
The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-02-23

Charles Cominsky returned to Be-
midji this morning from st. Paul
where he has spent several days on
business.
The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-02-23
Thousands Left Dead

admiration Of the Germans for this
feat.
Thousands Left Dead.
For two weeks in the rising flood
the Germans tried to advance to
higher ground on the Allies side of
the river leaving thousands of dead,
much ammunition and stores of all
sorts, cannon and transports, to be
covered by the encroaching river and
sea. A letter found on the body of
a dead German officer describing the
fighting as far worse than anything
he had seen during the battle of the
Marine.
Situation Not Materially Changed.
1T was simply hell" he said
The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-02-23
The above picture taken by Photographer Hakkerup last
meeting of the association which plan was
approved

pretense of hiding their praise and
admiration of the Germans for this
feat.
The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-02-23
Liege All Over Again.
Germans Advance to Death.

So the gates in the dykes were
raised and the water was let in, flood
ing and running thousands of fer
tile farms for years to come. Slowly
but surely the waters rose, trapping
the Germans, who bravely fought for
ward instead of saving themselves
as they so easily could have done by
retreating. Belgian officers make no
The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-02-23

CONTINUED on last page. }
Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1915-05-12
Vermont Notes.

A. w. Woodwork, aged "a years,
was one of the most interested visitors
at the recent automobile show in Bur-
lington, and drove his own car from
his home in EnoSburg Falls to Burling-
ton. He appears not over 80 years old
and steps off as lightly as people many
years his junior.
Governor Gates has appointed Leo J.
Pratt of Fair Haven as Judge of the
municipal court of the district of Fair
Haven, and A. S. Whitman of South
Royalton to be Judge of a similar
court for the district Of Har tford.
Both are new courts established by the
last legislature.
The program for the annual conven-
ton of the Vermont Congregational
conference, which is to be held with
the congregational church of Barre
May Is: 10, and 20 has been completed.
The central theme of the conference is
to be ''The Church and It's Ministry"
The program lasts three days.
Horace w. Graham of Craftsbury,
Fl. w. Varnum of Jacksonville, C.. P.
Smith of Burlington and Ex-Gov. w.
W. Stickney of Ludlow were today
appointed by Gov. Charles W. Gates as
the building commission created by the
| 1915 legislature to erect building for
| the supreme court. state library and
historical society Or to make repairs to
the state house at cost not to exceed
$3.50, 900. Gov. Gates is chairman ex-
offcio
''The Congregational Churches of
Vermont and their Ministry, 1892
1914, historical and statistical, by John
| M. Comstock, corresponding secretary
of Vermont Congregational Confer
ence," has been issued from the pres
and is ready for distribution. 1t con-
tains nearly two hundred pages. The
price is $3.50 which may be sent to
the author at Chelsea and upon the
receipt of this amount and eight cents
for postage the book will be forwarded
to any address.