Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

VOLUME XII. ATLANTA, GA.. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1913. NO. 42. AMERICANS DRIVEN Citizens of the United States Wounded and Driven to the Streets and Exposed to Fire From Both Sides' 'Bv Assoc ! at«d Pr«ss.) WASHINGTON. Feb. 13.—Ambassa dor Wilson’s dispatches today report that many houses occupied* by Ameri cans have been seized by federal troops and the occupants driven to the streets. EXPOSED TO SHELLS. Homeless and exposed to the fire of both rebels and federals. the dismayed refugees made their way, at the risk of their lives, to the American embassy, which is now open to all refugees. Ambassador Wilson, however, is now distributing the majority among the adjoining houses. AMERICANS WOUNNDED. All dispatches to the American em bassy from the stato department urge the ambassador to exert every Influence to keep non-combatants from the streets. He reports the wounding of several American men and says he has given refuge to between 500 and 600 Americans. RED CROSS PRESIDENT SLAIN. The White Cross society reports it is careing for approximately 1,200 wound ed. The president of me Red Cross has been killed. Some members of the White Cross detected by Diaz’$ adherents in the act of conveying ammunition were exe cuted. TRANSPORTS PROVISIONED. Work of provisioning the transports Meade, Sumner, McClellan and Kilpatrick at Newport News to carry troops to Mexico is being pushed to completion. Sailing# orders are expected soon. To protect Americans endangered by the fighting In Mexico City, Ambassador Wilson was today ordered to draw on the state department for $10,000. This • could be used for relief of the destitute or for getting Americans out of Mexico. TWO OFFICERS ASSAULTED. Anti-American feeling at Acapulco, Mexico, culminated in an assault upon two officers of the cruiser Denver before she departed yesterday for Ajutla, Sal vador. The victims of the assault tVere Surgeon Camerer and Ensign Guthrie, v ho were passing through the streets. Neither was injured. Officials here are alarmed. Acapulco , i;a.j been a storm center of revolution ists for several weeks and the Denver was protecting Americans there when the assassination of President Araju, of • Salvador, and the gathering of war clouds over all Central America made it necessary to send the cruiser to jLilia, Salvador. Representatives of the slate department feel the gravest con- «• ‘in for the safety for Americans at • capiilco. pending the arrival of the cruiser South Dakota, due there Sun day. President Taft talked with callers to day about the. situation in Mexico and they said he regarded the case more grave now than it had been at. any time •ince the abdication of Porfirio Diaz. TAFT TO HANDLE IT ALONE. ' Those w’ho consulted with Mr. Taft today declared the fact that he was to go out of office within the next three weeks would have no weight in deter mining his action toward Mexico.* They declared the president was ready for action up to the last moment of his administration. In regard to reports that Mr. Taft had or would consult President-elect Wilson, it.was said at the White House today .that the president considered the Mexican problem one for him alone until March 4. DEWEY GETS BUSY. A significant proceeding of the day was the early assembly of the joint army- navy board in Admiral Dewey’s office. The call was issued by direction of Ad miral Dewey himself. It brought together at an opportune time for consideration of joint use of the army and navy the highest ranking officers of both services and the ablest strategists. Besides Admiral Dewey and Major General Wood, the army and navy were represented by Major General Wother- spoon, assistant chief of staff; Brigadier General Wolver, chief of the coast artil lery, and Brigadier General Crozier, Rear Admirals Osterhause and Vreeland, and Captain Potts. By executive order this board is charged with the preparation of plans for the co-operation of the army and navy, when it becomes necessary to conduct joint operations either offensive or defensive. SECRET MEETING. Its proceedings are always secret and may be known only through the result ing orders to ships and troops, issued by the secretaries of war and navy. Ambassador Wilson's last night’s dis patches were laid before President Taft today immediately upon his return from 1 hiladelphia. They contained principally an account of the most disquieting feat ure Of the fighting in Mexico City—the killing* o'f two American women yes- tv relay. Administration officials look with much apprehension upon the effect of the killing of two Americans, and one di' tlie first results of the incident was list night’s order to Ambassador Wil son to warn all Americans out of the danger zone. The president is keeping in constant touch with the situation from three points of view. DIPLOMATIC SIDE. From the diplomatic side, which in volves the actions of Ambassador Wil son in making representations to Presi dent Madero and General Diaz in the interest of the foreign life and property in Mexloo. From the naval’ viewpoint as it con cerns the extent of the activities of several thousand marines and blue jackets w r ho will appear in the Mexican SUFFRAGE PILGRIMS FACE ICE-GOLD WINDS —— | Sixteen, of Mote .Than Two Hundred Who Started, Continue Hike (By Associated Prets.) METUCHEN, N. J., Feb. 13.—'The suf fragette army marching to Washington faced a twenty-mile tramp against an icy wind To Princeton today. Sixteen pilgrims composing the regu lar army. responded when General Rosa lie G. Jones, commander of the expedi tion, sounded “forward march’’ shortly after 0 o'clock this morning. Reports were received just before the start that students from Rutgers col lege planned to meet the army outside New Brunswick and escort the members into town. The same welcome is prom ised by Princeton students who have been invited to hear an address tonight by Miss Elizabeth Freeman, “official ora tor’’ of the pilgrimage. The unambitious disposition of Lausanne, the mare which is drawing the* “ammunition'’ wagon, so alarmed General Jones this morning that she called in the services of a localtvet erinary. The surgeon pronounced the animal “capable but apathetic." Fair Hikers Must Not March Down Nassau St, (By Associated Press.) PRINCETON, N. J., Feb. 13.—Unless “General" Rosalie Jones and her “army” of suffragettes agree to break ranks be fore entering Princeton, where they are expected this afternoon on their “hike” to Washington, they are in danger of bringing down upon themselves the wrath of the undergradute body through the violation of one of old Nas sau’s most sacred traditions. It long has been the custom here that only students shall march along Nassau street, the only direct thorough fare through thp town. In order to up hold this custom the undergraduates, upon one occasion, charged a circus pa rade, liberated several elephants and en gaged in a free-for-all fight with the circus employes. It is the general belief, however, that the suffragettes will comply with the students’ request and break rankfe dur ing their walk through the “Tigertown.” It is planned to have a large under graduate delegation meet the hikers sev eral miles out of Princeton and escort them into town. The army is sched uled to spend the night here. Driver Finds Lost Fortune in Pearls And Seeks Owner (By Associated Press.) WASHINGTON, Feb. 13.—Under a guard at police headquarters today is a small, flat, tan-colored leather casket containing a fortune in pearl jewelry, and detectives are seeking Its owner. It was picked up yesterday in the middle of a street; in the fashionable section of the capital by W. B. Dixon, driver of a delivery wagon. Dixon promptly turned the jewels over to the police. The collection includes two brace lets, several pins and brooches, a num ber of rings and a pearl chain. More than 100 pearls form trie settings. In addition to the pearl jewelry one*’ of the brooches is set with turquoises.^ There is nothing about either the jewel ry or the casket itself to identify the owner. ports within the course of the next forty-eight hours. From the military standpoint which involves a determination of the ques tion as to when, if at all, he shall give the word for the entrainment of the first brigade of the first division of the reorganized army of regular troops which now lies under arms, with knap sacks packed and emergency rations ready for an immediate departure. Ambassador Wilson’s course so far has the unqualified approval of the ad ministration. though some of the army men question his attempt to stop hos tilities. Admitting that his aim was to protect lives and property of Americans and other foreigners, they believe there will he less bloodshed and a speedy termina tion of the rebellion if the combatants are allowed to fight it out with no in- terference. Secretary Knox and his immediate advisers, however, do not accept this view, and although instructions have been sent to the ambassador to do ev erything possible to induce the Ameri can residents of Mexico City* to vacate their homes temporarily, at least, and go to some place of safety.. there is no dis position there to criticise Mr. Wilson for his forcible representations yester day. SHIPS HAVE STEAM UP. Prepared for a further call for bat- ■ tleships, the navy department has kept i Admiral Badger, in command of the; Atlantic fleet at Guantanamo, advitsed of developments. The ships, with hanked fires, are ready to move at once to Vera Cruz or Tampico. The marine corps, “always ready," is prepared for immediate embarkation of its companies at the Atlantic coast navy yards and stations. The marine force on the Panama canal zone also is ready to move. Telegrams to the war department from the three posts in New York state, where the regiments of the First brigade are stationed, report that body of about 3,000 men in condition to start for Newport News within three hours after an order from the chief of the staff. TROOPS MAY GO AT ONCE. "It has been suggested to the presi dent that it might be prudent to dis patch the first brigade to Vera Cruz at once, even if the troops are to be kept -aboard ship indefinitely, as were the 1,000 marines on the Panther, who lay in San Domingo harbor for more than a month last summer. But because there is some fear that such a gathering of a foreign military force In their ports, even though not landed, might inflatne the Mexican pub lic to acts of violence against Americans throughout the country, the authorities are hesitating to take such an action. ACT OF WAR. Besides, it is held by some officials that the dispatch of a military expedi tion of this kind might be construed as an act of war, and the president 1s determined to do nothing that could be regarded as an infringement of the con stitutional privilege of congress In that respect. CANDIDATE FOR SENATE ARRESTED FOR BRIBERY William S. Edwards Charged With Bribing West Vir ginia Delegate CHARLESTON, W. Va.. Feb. 13 — Colonel William Seymour Edwards, can- 1 didate for United States senator, was 1 arrested today charged with bribing Delegate John Smith, of Tyler county, j The warrant was issued at the in- j stance of Delegate Rhodes, one of the j five men arrested Tuesday. Edwards furnished bond. Intense excitement was created in the ! house of delegates today when the Rev. j Thomas J. Smith, of West Point. Dod- j dridge county, speaking on a question of personal privilege, declared that Delegate U. G. Rhodes and another man , had thrust $500 in his pocket in a room . in a Charleston hotel, after, he de- I clared, Rhodes and the other man had ! offered him $2,000 if he would vote for Colonel W. S. Edwards.for United States i senator. Smith declared he did not know how j much, motley had been put into his pockets until he had left the room. Then he went to Delegate H. C. Wil liamson. of Tyler county, had him count the money, enclose it in an envelope and return it to Rhodes. Smith, ex plaining his position, said he had re- ! fused to accept any money from Rhodes ; or the other man, whom he did not rec- j ognize, but Rhoades had insisted it was not a bribe. Smith lias been voting i for Isaac T. Mann for senator. Smith asked the house of delegates to investigate the alleged attempt to bribe him. In compliance with the joint res olution adopted yesterday, President Woods, in the senate, appointed Sena tor O. S. Marshall and Senator O. A. Hood as members of the committee to | investigate the alleged bribery in the | legislature, and Speaker George in the j house named Delegates Sherman T. Rob- ; inson, Charles A. Sutton and W. S. Wysong. BOY KILLED, BROTHER HURT WHEN TRUCK OVERTURNS Another Brother, Held in Jail, Brought Handcuffed to See Wounded Boy SHIFTING THE BURDEN (Special Dispatch to The Journal.) CALHOUN, Ga., Feb. 13.—A fourteen- year-old boy named Wesley Darnell was killed and his older brother, Emmett Darnell, seriously injured in an acci dent occurring about noon "Wednesday in the brick yards of the Calhoun Brick company. The two brothers were riding on a loaded truck up an incline, when Wes ley’s foot slipped and he was thrown under the truck wheels and frightfully mangled. The truck capsized and Emmett was pinned under it for several minutes until help arrived. Physicians were hastily summoned, but their skill was unable to save the younger boy and he died in about three hours. An older brother, who is confined in the county jail awaiting trial at the ap proaching term of the superior court, was brought handcuffed to the bedside of the dying boy. The brothers have been in the employment of the brick company. STRIKING MINERS DEGREE DEATH TO GLASSGOGK Militia Captures Sixty-Nine Men and Investigates Deatfo-Plots WICKERSHAM REFUSES ORDER OF RESOLUTION (By Associated Pres*.) WAHINGTON, Feb. 13.—Attorney General Wickersham today declined to send to the house, in accordance with He resentative Garner’s resolution, his reason for withholding bench warrants issued on Texas indictments against John D. Archbold and otner Standard Oil officials charging violation of the Sherman anti-trust law. The attorney general replied with the approval of President Taht that it was incompatible with the public interest to disclose the situation at this time. (By Associated Press.) CHARLESTON. W. Va., Feb. 13.—A company of militia today surrounded the strikers’ camp at Holly Grove, on Paint Creek and captured sixty-nine men. They were taken to Paint Creek junction, where they will be tried for alleged participation in the disorders early this week, when a dozen or more men were killed and many wounded. There are now about 125 strikers and sympathizers at Paint Creek junction awaiting trial by the military commis sion, which planned to begin its work this afternoon. Military officials were sent to the camp north of the Kenawha river today to inquire into a report that miners at a mass meeting at Smithers Creek last night had adopted resolutions in which j the death of Governor Glasscock, Gen eral Elliott and other leaders was de creed. Reports reaching here this morning said the resolutions had been printed and posted at many mining towns for a distance of twenty-five miles along the river. INAUGURAL PARADE TO BE THE LONGEST EVER Members of Inaugural Com mittee Begin to Get Nervous Over Size of Parade ST. PETERSBURG ASKS FOR IMPROVEMENTS (Special Dispatch to The Journal.) ST. PETERSBURG. Fla., Febfl 13.— j The cry of “A Greater St. Petersburg" is now the slogan of every civic and im provement organization and company in | the city! The board of trade governors have called a meeting of the citizens who are ’ interested in the movement, and it is ; probable that steps will be taken to ex- ! tend the incorporate limits of the city and present the matter to the legislature j at the coming session for its action j upon it. (By Associated Press.) WASHINGTON. Feb. 13.—Members of the inaugural committee are beginning to show signs of nervousness over the extent of the problem presented by the unexpected growth of the procession of March 4, which promises to be the long est inaugural parade ever passed down Pennsylvania avenue. Although almost a month off. requests for places for 50,000 men in the line already have been received. It is feared that further re quests will make the band of marching men and horses difficult to direct. The civic portion of the parade alone w’ill aggregate 20.000 men, according to a partial list drawn up by the com mittee today. This division is being augmented every day. and within the next three weeks may be doubled. To date, it was announced, the state of Ohio has outdone all other states in sending representatives for the pro cession and the inauguration ceremonies. Formal notification was received by the committee that the entire Ohio legisla ture will adjourn for several days and come to Washington in a body. , FINAL HEARING AGAINST TIFT FARMERS WARNED IMMIGRATION MEASURE 0F DREAD BOLL WEEVIL State Entomologist Says Pest May Arrive Within Year CORN SHOW WILL END SESSIONS FRIDAY. ^By Associated Press.) COLUMBIA, S. C.. Feb. 13.—With Thursday known as “Anderson day,” in honor of a South Carolina lown which has promised to send a large delega tion and with Friday designated as “negro day.” the fifth national corn ex position will close its doors after near ly three weyks. Anderson, S. C., had charge of the ; show Thursday. The town lias arranged I to send a delegation of several hundred I on a special train. President Taft Hears Com plaints Against Literacy Test (By Associated Press.) WASHINGTON, Feb. 13.—President Taft today gave a final hearing on the new immigration act, against the liter acy test of which there have been nu merous protests from various sources. Objections also have been registered by several foreign nations, principally against the provision authorizing the placing of American inspectors, ma trons and public health officials aboard foreign vessels. The Turkish government objects to the provision which would prevent the entry of polygamists or persons who admit their belief in the practice of polygamy. The president will today ' decide whether to sign the bill or return it to congress with a veto} Should he fail to sign or veto by tomorrow, the bill Avould become a law without his signa ture. ROCKEFELLER ABLE TO TAKE SHORT WALKS (By Associated Press.) BRUNSWICK,' Ga., Feb. 13.—William Rockefeller has so far recovered from his collapse of last Friday that he is able to take short walks every morning. The Rockefellers, who have been oc cupying apartments in the San Soucl apartments on Jekyl Island, will move into their new cottage Saturday. It is understood that they will remain on Jekyl island some time. ALSTON CITIZENS PLAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TRIED TO WRECK TRAIN AND IS SHOT TO DEATH (Special Dispatch to The Journal.) MONTGOMERY. Ala.. Feb. 13.—After an unidentified negro had attempted to wreck passenger train No. 15 on the Central of Georgia railroad, near Seale, Russell county. Wednesday morning, he was shot and killed by a deputy sheriff during a pistol duel caused by the of ficer’s attempt to arrest the negro. (Special Dispatch to The Journal.) ALSTON, Ga., Feb. 13.—An enthusias-j tic meeting of the citizens of Alston i was held today for the purpose of or- j ganizing a permanent chamber of com merce. The following officers were elected; H. W. S. Blitch, president; E. S. Mar tin. secretary; D. O’Brien, managing j director; Dr. J. H. Dees, M. P. McBride, ( J. E. Braswell and P. Dixon, directors. The motto will be. 2,000 people by 1915. (Special Dispatch to The Journal.) TIFTON. Ga.. Feb. 13.—Two hundred Tift county farmers received a shock to day when State Entomologist E. Lee Worsham told them it was possible for the boll weevil to invade this county next year. He said the pest is certain to appear in some of the counties bor dering the Chattahoochee river this year, and at the rate he has been known to travel under favorable conditions he could spread to this county next year. he meeting was one in Prof. Wor sham’s present itinerary through south Georgia cities to organize the growers in various counties to introduce the sys tem of growing weevil resistent cotton, and was held under the auspices of the Tift County Agricultural society. It was held in the county court room, and Judge Eve adjourned court as a courtesy to the, visitors. In his address Prof. Worsham told an interesting story of the habits of the weevil, of its life history, of its method of attacking the cotton squares. How to fight the weevil was the subject of an interesting address by Prof. Lewis, assistant entomologist. He also told how to fight anthracnose in cotton. At the close of the meeting twenty farmers signed an agreement to plant the new resistent cotton this year to produce seed for local farmers next year. SUFFRAGETTES LEAVE SIGN NEAR RUINS (By Associated Press.) LONDON, Feb. 13.—The refreshment hall in Regentb park, London, was burned down today bv militant suffra gettes. The women left no clue to their identity, but on an adjoining path the words “votes for women” were found scratched in the gravel. The building was of considerable size. Baskets, smell ing strongly of petroleum, were found in the shrubbery nearby. Buys Man New Leg to Save Damages (Special Dispatch to The Journal.) CHARLESTON, S. C., Feb. 13.—“Let s buy him a new leg to save a suit for damages,” said Alderman O’Rourke at the meeting of city council when a com munication was read from the counsel of M. J. Barry, stating that his client had suffered injury to his wooden leg through a bad place in a street pave ment. City council felt that probably this was the best way out of the difficulty, and the corporation counsel was directed to effect a settlement with Mr. Barry, COLD WEATHER TO SAVE GEORGIA'S PEACH CROP Present Severity Will Hold Back Budding Until Qr- ’ chards Are Safe (By Associated Press.) MACON, Ga., Feb. 13.—The cold weather over middle and south Georgia is bringing no little satisfaction in the peach belt. It is stated by prominent growers in the Fort Valley and Marshallville sec tions that the present severity of the weather will hold back the budding to such an extent that it will take an "ex traordinary severe snap at a very late time in the season to hurt them, while they are not developed enough yet to be injured by frost. If the warm weather heretofore ob taining had lasted for another week and frost had then come it was stated that the damage to the peach crop because of the nipping of prematurely developed buds would have run into millions. The present weather, however, prac tically insures a bumper crop is the uni versal contention. LYNN JURY DISCHARGED, BUT STILL NO VERDICT Six Are Reported for Convic tion, Five for Acquittal; One III (Special Dispatch to The Journal.) DUBLIN. Ga., Feb. 13.—The jurors in the case of A. L. Lynn and his wife, charged with the murder of F. M. High tower, began their third day’s delibera tion with no verdict in sight. They have been considering the evi dence since Monday night. At 3:30 Wednesday afternoon the jury was brought into court and recharged by Judge Hawkins. It is understood the jury stands six l’or conviction of both defendants, five for acquittal. Calvin Tyre, one of the jurors, be came ill on the second day of the trial, and both state and defense agreed to continue with only eleven jurors. WHITFIELD JURY RETURNS BILL FOR WHIPPING (Special Dispatch to The Journal.) DALTON, Ga., Feb. 13.—The Murray county grand jury, in session at Spring Place, yesterday afternoon returned an indictment against Joe Callahan, the Tilton youth charged with being a member of the masked band that whipped John Shannon, a farmer, re cently. Callahan easily made bond, and it is not probable that he will be ar raigned before superior court at the present session. No bills were returned against An drew Gaddis, Ed Townsend and Luther Joyce. These were arraigned with Cal lahan, charged with being in the masked band at the time Shannon was whipped. The grad jury secured no evidence against them. When court meets in Spring Place this morning the case of the State vs. Ham Hyde will be called, Hyde being charged with the murder of Bob Dunn. UNFAVORABLE REPORT ON WATER POWER TAX (Special Dispatch to The Journal.) COLUMBIA, S. C., Feb. 13.—The house bill, proposing a tax on water power, received an * unfavorable report in the senate this morning, the warehouse bill was continued until next session and the medical college bill passed third read ing. WING OF FEDERALS. GOT TO PIECES BY SHELLS FROM DIAZ Remnant of Detachment of Government Troops Reach American Embassy and Tell of Slaughter on City's Edge (By Associated Press.) MEXICO CITY, Feb. 13.—Straggling federals who arrived at the American embassy at noon, declared that a de tachment of government troops was shot to pieces on the western edge of the city early today. This indicates that Diaz has a mobile force outside his lines in the central district. NON-COMBATANTS SLAIN. Two non-combatants were killed in front of the American club today by | bursting shells. STREET BATTLE BEGINS. Another fierce street battle which was expected to be decisive, was begun be tween federal troops and Diaz rebels in Mexico City at 8 o'clock this morning. MADERO HAS 7,000. The government forces had the ad vantage in numbers, their army totall ing 7,000 men against the 3,000 rev olutionists under Felix Diaz. General Muerta and President Madero declared they would be surprised if Diaz and his mutinous army were not re duced to submission before nightfall. ARTILLERY FIRING. The battle opened with heavy firingi by the federal artillery, which had| been strongly reinforced in the niglit.l The rebel® occupied the same positions! they held yesterday around the arsenal 1 and the Y. M. C. A. building and from there they replied with a hot fire. POPULATION HIDES. The population had either desertedt the center of the city or remained hid den in the houses as it was impossible to stir on the streetsdwithout iunnlng enormous risk. The federal forces were reinforced last night by detachments of all arms of the service. Meanwhile the rebels had fortified themselves in their district, the center of which was the arsenal. DIAZ’S SMALL ARMY. However, they had not increased in number, and the size of the Diqz army is believed to be only a litle over 2,600. Most of the federal troops who ar rived in the night were those command ed by General Angeles, which he had called from Cuernavaca. The total of these is said to be 1,500 and they brought with them two pieces of heavy artillery with much ammunition and BARRON ARRIVES. Lieutenant Colonel Barron, who has conducted dashing campaigns during the revolution in Michoacan and Guanajuato, arrived with a small force, while Colonel Ocaranza, another young officer with a reputation for brilliant work, came in at I the head of 200 federal trops from Vera Cruz. United States Ambassador Henry Lane Wilson prevented the issue of k general order to cut off. all telephone communi cation late this morning. He protested to President Madero that the rebels were not connected with the system and the order would cause unnecessary hard ship. • FIGHTING BEGAN AT 8. Fighting began at 8 o’clock this morn ing. A federal battery of artillery opened the attack. A general assault on the rebel positions was expected to start immediately. It was difficult to see how the rebels could long resist the fire poured in by the, federals, but they again showed the same excellent marksmanship which characterized their previous fighting, and this enabled them to offer a grim resistance. NAVARRETE IN CHARGE. General Huerta has placed in general charge of the federal artillery Lieuten ant Colonel Rubio Navarrete, who has the reputation of being the most capa ble artillerist in the Mexican army. He gained fame in the campaign against Orozco, when he was under General Huerta’s command. General Aurelio Blanquet, federal commander at Toluca, has not yet ar rived in the capital. His absence is ex plained by the statement that it was considered best to leave him in the state of Mexico to check any possible advance of Zapatistas. ZAPATA HATES DIAZ. Although from numerous points fed eral troops have been brought into the eity, leaving the Zapatistas practically without opposition, those rebels appear to have made no combined effort to come to the assistance of Diaz. It has been broadly hinted that in the} last extremity Emiliano Zapata would order his hordes of followers into the capital to the support of President Ma dero, rather than to assist one bear ing the name of the president whom he fought to overthrow two years ago. Both sides have good supplies of am munition, notwithstanding their relent less waste of shot and shell since Sun day. CROWDS HIDE. Cowed by the frightful pounding of shell to which they had been subjected, people of the city today hid themselves. Nevertheless, for the most part they were protected by walls pitifully weak when compared with the high explosive power of the shells poured out by the guns of both fighting forces. Efforts made by the foreign ministers to mark a neutral zone were ineffective. It was, however, generally understood that perhaps the safest district would be the Colonial Roma, in which the United States embassy is located. BIG CHICAGO FIRE CAUSES $200,000 LOSS (By Associated Press.) CHICAGO, Feb. 13.—Fire of mysterl- i ous origin which began at 2:30 a. m. to day and was not brought under control until five hours later, caused a loss of $200,000, the firms affected being the Brunswick-Balke-Collender company, on South Wabash avenue; Ohickering Brothers, piano dealers, who occupied the two upper floors of the five-story structure, and several smaller concerns. The fire started on the first floor of the building. A watchman and engineer employed in the building could not be found after the fire broke out.