The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1916-04-07

London, April 5.-"HoIIand barred
its teeth to the belIigerents on both
sides so Unexpectedly that the Dutch
public was as much astonished as the
remainder of the world" said prom
inent neutral, who has just returned
from Amsterdam, to The Associated
Press. This person stated that not
only was the Dutch army modified,
but actual maneuvers held as If to
repei forces landing from the North
sea in the neighborhood of Flushing.
The mobilization was accomplished
swiftly and virtually every private
motor car in the country was seized.
While the mobilization took place
along the German frontier, maneu-
vers were held along the seacoast.
The Hague, Holland, April s.
Great excitement prevails here over
the sinking of the Dutch steamer Ell
sina Helena. The belief is general
that the vessel was attacked by
submarine, and it is said that there
are proofs that this was the case The
Dutch government has commenced an
official investigation of this as well
as of the sinking of the Dutch liner
Tubantia. Thus far the investigations
of the Tubantia case have been con-
Quoted by the owners of the vessel.
Tension Is Increased
Tension is greatly increased, as the
sinking of the Elsina Helena has
come right at the moment when the
Dutch government has already been
engaged in warlike preparations The
lower chamber of the Dutch parlia-
ment was today holding a secret
meeting, and it is promised that this
body will soon give an explanation Of
the recall of the Dutch soldiers who
have been absent on furloughs, and
other warlike measures that have
been taken.
Paris, April 5-The French gained
ground north of Caillette wood, north
east of Verdun, in the course of sew
eral engagements during the night,
the war office announced this after
noon
Crew Was Set Adrift.
ASSOCIATED Press Dispatch.
London, April 5.-The Spanish
steamship Vigo, of 1.137 gross tons,
was sunk in the Bay of Biscay by
German submarine, according to
Lloyd report. The crew was set
adrift in boat and later picked up
by the British steamship Polo, and
taken to Gibraltar. Lloyds also re-
ports the sinking of the British
steamship Bendew, with slight loss
among the crew.
Will Probe Boat Sinking.
ASSOCIATED Press Dispatch.1
The Hague, April Sit is officially
announced that the Dutch schooner
Elsina Helfa was torpedoed in the
North sea- Her crew has been taken
to Noordhiner. A government in
quiry will be opened when the crew
reaches Rotterdam. The ministry of
marine announces that the govern
ment has decided to conduct an ex-
animation of the Tubantia wreck,
thus taking it out of the hands of
the owners.
Four Americans Aboard.
Washington, April 5.-That there
were four Americans on board the
British liner Berwynd at the time
when it was attacked by a submarine
was information received today by
the state department from the Ameri-
can diplomatic service
French Take Duoamont.
Berlin, Germany, April 5.-The
French have taken possession of the
village of Douaumont on the west
bank of the Mouse, it was officially
admitted by the German war office
today Elsewhere in this region, how
ever, it is reported that the French
attacks broke down with heavy losses
to the attacking forces.
Helping Preparedness Cause.
limited Press DiSpatch