The Mankato free press., 1915-11-05

In the straw and the giant peasant
walking along beside. Further back
comes q family group, driving the
cow. Everywhere there are German
soldiers and groups OF Russian pris-
oners marching from one part OF the
town to another
Large auto trucks-in constant
communication with the front--hurry
through the city. Big touring cars
bearing officers are everywhere,
Such Is Kowno today city for
meriy of $4,000 Inhabitants, exclusive
OF the garrison for the nine forts. To
the visitor. Kowno appears like a
southern town. with but three or, four
palatial residences and hundreds and
hundreds OF negro huts.
Very Poor Buildings.
The buildings. aside from their
wrecked appearance, are poorly con-
structed and badly furnished. The
city was damaged in two sections by
the bombardment The fronts OF the
houses on some streets bear evidences
of machine gun fire.
The wall OF the church across from
city hall are splashed with blood and
the heavy iron fence around the mon
ument Is split In some places as fine
as kindling wood. Many large build
ings were destroyed by fire.
Warnings OF danger from cholera
and fever are posted In all public
places and the inhabitants and SOL
diers are forbidden to drink unboiled
water or eat fresh fruit.
The sewage system of Kowno Is
bad. Winter has not yet set I'm and
| flies are everywhere. I'm the hotels
and restaurants which the Germans
have rs-opened. one eats with one
hand and chases flies with the other.
Beer and Cigars.
Beer, books and cigars follow the
German flag! Beer is brought down
here by boat over the Memel river
and books and newspapers come by
every post. The city Is also restocked
with cigars and cigarets. for the fee
ing Russians didn't leave enough be-
hind to supply their abandoned SOL
| diers. 90
| Meat and wheat are plentiful and
the inhabitants bake their own white
bread. luxury even I'm Germany to-
day. The city appears to have more
than It's share Of wounded and every
available large building Is turned In
to a hospital.
| DR.. Prussian said the Russians
abandoned LOO severe cases, leaving
only q few. Red Cross nurses TO care
for them. A Russian doctor captured
early In the var has been brought
here to take charge OF this hospital.
| Minneapolis, October 29.-Fifteen
per cent OF something over $4,000, 900
which the twin cities have subscribed
toward the allied loan, win be remit
ted to the National City bank Of New
York within the next few days, ac-
eording to Joseph Chapman, vice
president of the Northwestern Ma
tional bank OF Minneapolis.
| The. first contribution OF Minnea-
polls and st. Paul to the loan amounts
10 approximately s750,000. Accord
Ing TO Mr.. Chapman most Of this
money has been advanced by bankers
and flnaneiers, very little being taken
by the public. @'.. ~ ~
| : First Call For Funds.
The first call for funds available
from the half billion dollar credit
loan for the Anglo French war chest
was made yesterday by Basis b.
Brackett, secretary OF the Anglo
French commission and Octave HON
berg, one or the French commission
fers who remained IN the United
States to adjust matters in connec-
tion with the loan. The call requires
bankers, where funds have been de-
posted, to remit Is per cent OF the
total loan before November Is;
Money to British Credit.
II Is expected the call will place to
the credit Of the British and French
government between s60.000.0O0 and
sT0. 600 600. The money viii be
placed TO the credit of the British
and French government central joint
account" -.-
Moneys received will be checked
out by Messrs Brackett and HON.
burg, but In no case will the drafts
be made payable to the exporters OF
supplies. Instead they will be made
payable to the British and French
fiscal agents stationed In various
parts Of the United States.
Return postal cards were sent out
by Secretary E. F. Soaring Of the
Commercial club this week to 200
firms and business men In the city
and outside, asking them to make
i donations OF cash or merchandise to
be used as premiums for the seed
fair and show to be held in connec-
tion with the annual meeting OF the
Blue Earth County Pure Seed asso-
ciation next winter. The cards were
mailed in compliance with the action
taken sometime ago by the CONNER
cinl club In this matter. Returns
have already been received from
some OF the people to whom cards
were sent, and the donations so far
total about S1O0. II Is hoped that the
offers will send In their replies
promptly, as Il Is desired to know by
next week whether this convention,
seed. and corn show. will be secured
for Mankato or not.
In order to have the convention
held here Il is necessary to offer at
least $500 In premiums, to be put up
by the people here. Cash Is pre-
ferred. but II merchandise is given
the association desires that no special
merchandise be designated. but
rather that SO many dollars worth OF
trade be offered at each place. II is
needless 20 call attention to the i'm
portance of the work OF the movement