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THE WEATHER Fair tonight and Fri day. VOLUME XIX, No. 365. ALLIES IN FRANCE HALT OFFENSIVE Indications That Movement Against Whole German Line Being Delayed. Larger British Forces Expected AGREE THAT SACRIFICE OF LIFE WOULD BE TOO HEAVY AT THIS TIME In the East. Russia Appears tv Be More Than Holding Her Own---Hard Pressure on Ger man Lines Continues London. 12:30 p. m.—There are in creasing indications, British observ ers thin!:, that a serious allied offen sive movement against the whole Ger man line in the west will be postpon ed until larger contingents of Lord Kitchener’s new army take the field. ( Losses of the allies in tentative thrusts l forward here and there have been heavy in proportion to the gains achieved, and it is understood the va rious leaders unite in the opinion that the sacrifices entailed by a general advance at this time would be too great. Russia Holding Own. The turn of events in the east, where Russia appears to be more than hold ing her own, necessitates, neverthe less, continued hard pressure against the German lines in the west to pre vent them from moving any more of their troops to the eastern field. In the wert the town of Laßassee still held by the Germans is proving to be one of the hardest problems the allied forces have to solve. The in vaders have thrown up exceptionally strong earthworks around Laßassee and they have two army corps quar tered in the city. To take this strong hold by direct assault would mean a terrible loss of life, but its taking is essential to any concerted move for ward in order to afford protection to the allies’ communication. Rout of Austrians. All news reaching London from the east tends to confirm the rout of the Austrian forces which now appear to be trying to make their way labor iously back over the Carpathians. There are indications in London that the entire continental political situa tion which involves Greece, Italy, Ru mania and Portugal, is developing day by day. To Be a Reality. Even the participation in the army of at least some of those states soon will become a reality. This is the view of certain of the British com mentators on the situation. Among the factors contributing to this situa tion is Italy’s occupation of Avlona and the reported racial unrest in Aus tria-Hungary. HID TDIOSTION FOR REPORT i ■ ■ ■■■ Washington.— Ambassador Mujica, of Chile, who called at the state de partment today to inquire as to the truth of a report that the United States had informed Great Britain of its unwillingness to join in proposals with Pan-American nations for the exclusion of belligerent warships from the western hemisphere, was inform ed that there was no foundation for such a statement. 4,000 ATTACK MYTHICAL SNOWDRIFTS IN N. Y. New York. —Theoretically there was a snowstorm in New York last nignt and four thousand men attacked myth ical drifts and loaded invisible snow banks into wagons or shoved them into sewers. The snow fighters vere call ed out by the police on orders from the street cleaning department for re hearsal of Ihe parts they are to take when a real snow storm begins. They are the nucleus of the snow fighting force which will number more than 46,000 men this winter. GOLD MEDAL’S FOR THEM. New York.— Gold medals are to be presented by the national institute of Boclal Science on January 16th to Miss Anne Morgan, Andrew Carnegie, Eugene Brieux, Luther Burbank and Myron T. Herrick. 11. S. AMBASSADOR CONFERRING WITH BRITISH SECT ON PROTEST London (3:51 p. m.)—-Walter Hinee Page, the American ambassador, had an extended conversation this afternoon with Sir Edward Grey, the British secretary for foreign affairs, on the subject of President Wilson’s note of protest against the detention of American shipping by British warships. As the note had been discussed by the members of the British cabinet yesterday, the foreign secretary was able to present to the ambassador the combined views of himself and his colleagues. "IN SAME FRIENDLY SPIRIT.” London, 5:10 p. m.—The official Information bureau this afternoon pave out the followinx statement: "An answer to the American note will be drawn up as soon as pos sible. It will be in the same friendly spirit in which the American note is writtnn-” . THE AUGUSTA HERALD -11'. . m THE ONE PAPER IN MOST HOMES THE ONLY PAPER IN MANY HOMES STRENGTHENED SERBS PLAN TO iiunhy Troops Now Have Plenty of Ammunition and Supplies. Will Strike at Enemy North of the Danube, Says Servian Minister. Paris, 4:45 a. m. —“The Servians will not march on Sarayevo,” said Dr. M. R. Vesnitch, the Servian minister to France, according to a statement by him published here. "They will pene trate either to Syrima, the eastern most country of Slavonia, Hungary, by way of Semlin or Banat, a region of southern Hungary, by way of Pan zova. “The invasion of Bosnia and Herze govina, populared by Slave and which are destined to become Servian, would leave the Hungarians indifferent. An invasion of Hungary, however, especi ally if made by way of the region north of the Danube, would greatly increase the apprehension now reigning in the country. “The Servian troops are now amply provided with ammunition and sup plies.” 11l TWAIN BILL, LITERACY TEST REMAINS Washington, D. C.—All the senate today, by a vote of 47 to 12, declined to strike the literacy test for admission of aliens from the immigration bill. Senator Reed then pro posed an amendment to ex clude “all aliens not of the Caucasian race.” Washington. —The senate today defeated, 34 to 26, an amendment to the literacy test, which would have enlarged the classes expect ed by adding those subject to "po litical and racial” persecutions to those subject to "religious” perse cutions. The Lewis Amendment. Washington. —Debate on the immi gation bill continued in the senate to day with the leaders expecting a vote on the literacy test provision before the close of the day. Amendments to extend exemptions from the test to immigrants fleeing from political per suctions were pending, hut the debate centered upon the Insistent contention of opponents of the bill that the pro posed test was wholly objectionable and an improper means of restricting immigration. Senator Lewis who recently confer red with President Wilson on the sub ject was expected to introduce an amendment to strike out the literacy test provision. The president is known to oppose the provision, which Is sim ilar to one which caused President Taft to veto an immigration hill dur ing the last republican administra tion. British Flag Over Soloman Island Melbourne, Australia, (via London, 4:40 p. m.) —British forces have occu pied Bougainville, the largest of the Soloman Islands. It was announced here today that the British flag had been hoisted over the Island on De cember 9th. AUGUSTA, GEORGIA, THURSDAY AFTERNOON, DECEMBER 31, 1914. German Bomb Maker and One of His Infernal WAS TO EXPLODE AT SEA. Hans Helle, arrested in New Orleans for manufacturing bombs. Helle was caught with a bomb which he intended shipping on a French vessel and timed to explode when the vessel was on the high seas. The bomb which Helle was about to ship on the French steamer is shown below. The pictures give an Idea of the infernal machines ingen ious mechanism. Helle declared he had placed a similar bomb on board the S. S. Roehambeau, but this boat arrived at its French port of destina tion without mishap. GUARDING HIS BARN, SHOT. Montgomery, Ala.— R. A. Stillwell, a planter of Elmore, Ala., was shot and killed early today while guarding his barn, which had been robbed several times recently. A posse with blood hounds is scouring the surrounding country for the slayers. vjBsSISpIr IHSTI-MEH SHE Of TWO CENTS PER NIUE Nil BE STOPPED BE II INJUNCTION Messrs. L. J. Wiliams and H. E. Gyles Say That They Expect to Try to Get an Injunction. RATES NOT TO GO INTO EFFECT AT PRESENT Because Schedules Must be Filed With Commission and it May be Several Weeks or a Month Before New Rate Goes in With Eight Zones. Mr. L. J. Williams, of North Au gusta, who took such a conspicuous part in the fight against the Augusta- Aiken Railway & Electric Corporation raising its rates from 1 to 2 cents per mile and who presented figures as to capitalization, etc., that produced a sensation at the hearing of the mat ter in Columbia some time ago, was asked for a statement Thursday re garding the decision of the Railroad Commission granting the Increase. Mr. Williams stated that the decision was no more than he had expected, after attending several of the meet ings of the commission and watching the attitude of two members of the commission—and two members consti tute a majority. "However, we expect to continue the fight," said Mr. Williams, “and will endeavor to enjoin the railway Company from putting the rate into effect. We believo that the new com mission, composed of Messrs Richards, Shealy and Hampton, will view our case in a different light, our hopes being based on Mr. Shealy, looking at the mattei as does Chairman Richards, who opposed the increase." Mr. Gyles’ Statement. Mr. H. E. Gyles, former mayor of Aiken and leading attorney opposing the increase, stated over the telephone Thursday that he had not received definite orders from his clients as to how to proceed, but that he expected the fight would be continued and that the injunction methods would prob ably be tried. Mr. Gyles stated that the railway company would put into effect the new rates Just as soon as the new schedules have been filed with the commission and that he be lieved the new rates would go into ef fect within the next thirty days Unless an injunction stopped them. He said that he had great hopes of the new commission refusing to allow the in crease. The new rates authorized by the South Carolina Railroad Commission to go into effect on the Augusta-Alken line will not be put into effect at once, according to a statement made by General Manager R. W. Bpofford, of the railway company on his return from Columbia yesterday afternoon Mr. Spofford said that he would have the proposed new schedules published in the newspapers and have maps with different zones, rates of fare with a full explanation of same so that the patrons of the company might get thoroughly familiar with the new schedules. The exact time which the new scheudies will be put In effect was not given, but it is assumed that it will require a month or more to get the details arranged. The decision of the South Carolina Railroad Commission gave the authority to put on the new schedule January Ist. Under the new system the fare to (Continued on Next Page). Machines lifer / MEASURE FRENCH GAINS IN YARDS Certain Village in Alsace Held Half By Germans and Half By French. Paris, 2:55 P. M. —The French of ficial announcement given out In Paris this afternoon relates a continuance of artillery exchanges with the enemy and’ further advances, measured by yards, of French soldiers ®t various points on tho line of battle. Counter attacks of tho enemy wore driven back, and in Alsace a certain village is held half by German, half by French troops. The fighting here has heen from house to house, and it continues today. 29IILIORS IN OFFICE JAN. 1 Newly-elected State Executives Begin Their Terms Tomorrow. Sixteen Democrats, 12 Re publicans, One Progressive. Washington. Twenty-nine newly elected state governors will begin their terms of office with the opening of the New Year. Their inaugurations will take place at tho various capitals during the early days of January. Of the twenty-nine governors to he Inaugurated, nineteen are newly elect ed. Ten of those are democrats and nine republicans. Fix of the re-elect ed executives arc democrats, three re publicans and one progressive. Klx of the newly elected republican gov ernors displace democrats and six of the democrats displace republicans. DECIDES TO GO. Washington.—. President Wilson do. elded definitely today to go to In dianapolis, January st.h to speak at a Jacksnn Day celebration under the auspices of the Indiana Democratic Club. KAISER ANNOUNCES 67,000 PRISONERS Amsterdam, Holland, via London, 4:52 p. m.— What Is described as an unofficial telegram hut which nevertheless was issued today by the German army headquarters, has been received hern. It reads: Our troops In Poland urc pursuing tho enemy , After the buttles of Lodz and Lowicz we took more than 67,000 prisoners and many cannon and machine guns. “The entire booty since the beginning of our offensive In Poland In November totals 136,600 prisoners, more than one hundred cannon and over three hundred machine guns.” U. S. IN WAR? WHO CAN SAY, ASKS IOWAN Washington. —Congressional action to vest the president with power to | prohibit export of war supplies was urged before the house foreign affairs j committee today by Representative Towner of lowa. "The question of neutrality is not the only question Involved here,” tie suid. "The question of self-defense Is the paramount one. It can no longer be held that there is no possibility of this country going to war or being involved in European entanglements. It can no longer be said—since the proclamation, or ultimatum, or what ever it may be called, to Great Britain —that we are not on delicate grounds. No man can say when, after ibis con gress adjourns on March 4th not to convene again until next December, tlie president may find II necessary to prevent the exportation of arms in | order that war supplies from this country may not fall into the hands of an enemy or a potential enemy.” VILLA IMPRISONS COMMANDER OF GITYOFMEXIGO General Blanco Put Behind the 1 Bars and His Staff Officers Sent to Front Against Their Will. Washington. -General Liimie Rlanrn who remained in military command of Mexico City after tlu* withdrawal of Carranza forces, and pending the ar rival of the Villa and Zapiata army, has heen Imprisoned by Villa, according to a dispatch today to the Carranza agency from Vera Cruz. The message dated yesterdiay, says: “Advices fros Mexico City received by the war department from secret service agents say General Jaiclo Blan co has been made prisoner by Villa and that Blanco’s staff officers have heen scattered -among Villa’s regiments against their will. The State of Vera Cruz today berame denuded of rebel Villalstas and Zapatistas, when Gen. Sauvirran, operating under command of Villa with six hundred soldiers, sur rendered his force and himself to Gen Obregon in J&ltipan and offered his sword to the first chief.” i Hips in DOMBARDMENT Copenhagen (via. London, 11:45, a. m.)—A private dispatch received here from Berlin says that more than thirty French and British warships are at present engaged in bombarding Pol a, the Austrian naval base on the Adri-| ft tic, and also the seaport of Hulgn'i) j about IF> miles away. ' Augusta Already Has a Great Many Tourists and Many More Are Coming EXPECTING AAOOL RAIDS IN AID London, 12:50 p. m. -Tho German air raid on the channel port of Dun kirk, in France, gives basis for belief that visits of that kind now will he more frequent. It would appear that the British raid on Cuxhaven aroused in the Germans a spirit of retaliation. Kngland, judging from expressions In newspapers is Just, as anxious to de liver blow for blow In that respect. BTEAMER AFIRE. London, 10:25 a. m. A Lloyd’s dis patch from Fayal, Azores, said the steamer Perugia, bound from Leghorn to New York, was afire yesterday but had proceeded after the crew reached the seat of the flumes. The Perugia is a vessel of 2,666 tons and according to tho records belongs to the Anchor Line. (She plies be tween Genoa, Lcgharn, Palermo and New York. $6.00 PER YEAR—FIVE CENTS PER COPY,, MOST SANGUINARY RUSSIAN VICTORY JAPAN DEIS TROOPS DOING, EUROPE’S 10 France and Russia, Favorable to Plan But Great Britain Hesitates. Meetings Held in Tokio to Arouse Enthusiasm. Tokio, Dec. 31, 4:30 p. m.—ln its de nial of reports that Japanese troops had been landed at Vladivostok or any other place en route to Europe, the foreign office included this statement: “Japan has not been approached by Great Britain' or any other country to send an army to Europe.” It Is learned from other sources that France and probably Russia are fa vorable to the project of sending Jap anese troops to Europe, hut that Eng land hesitates to ask for Japan’s help. Financial phased of the matter, it is stated, could he arranged hut the eco nomic mid political questions involved arc difficult. Frequent meetings are called in To kio by partisans of the project to awaken public enthusiasm and there is an active discussion in the news papers supporting the plan to despatch volunteers. FOOD ID SCARCE AT PRZEMYSL London, 2:50 p. m. —A report from Russian sources indicates the defend ers of the Galician fortress of Przemysl which has been under slezo by the Russians for several weeks, have heen reduced to desperate straits. It is said that an Austrian aeroplane brought down while at tempting to enter Przemysl was found lo be located with food. German re ports some lime ago, however, said Przemysl was stocked with provisions sufficient for one year. CHICAGO WIuTsPEND 5250,000 IN REVELRY Chicago. —Chicagoans will spend a quarter of n million dollars for food and drink while welcoming the New Year tonight, according to estimates of case ami hotel owners. Record • breaking reservations for tables had heen made, it was said. Four munlri pal New Year’s Kv« dancing parties will lie given as a counter attraction to the revel In the cases. DROWNED AT BEIRUT. Washington. —Fommnnder Oman, of the cruiser North Garollna, cabled Ihe navy department today news of the death of John Pugllese, of Fal! River, Mass., coal paaser, and Thomas P. Ryan, of Buffalo, fireman, at Beirut, Syria, December 26th. The men were drowned while swimming and their bodies were burled at Beirut. More Winter Visitors Now Than at Same Time Last Year and a Great Season is Expect ed in Augusta MANY PROMINENT PEOPLE ARE IN AUGUSTA NOW Rear Rdmiral Swinburne, U. S. Navy, Chief Justice Howell, of Supreme Court of Ontario, and Many More in the City. Home time ago It was prophesied In these columns Unit the tourist season was going to he better this winter than it had ever been before. That was merely the expression of an opin ion reached through a survey of con ditions obtaining in the country. Already now that prophesy is being fulfilled. Though tlie Hampton Terrace is not yet open there are already more tour ists in Augusta than at this time last year. Partridge Inn opened nearly two months ago, though not on full force, and the Bon Air has been open some two or three weeks. At. both hotels are more guests at the moment than have been register ed so early In the season for a period of years. Partridge Inn’s outlook Is exceed ingly good. All the old guests are re turning and bringing new ones. They are coming In 'every day. At present the hotel eontsiiiM forty-one, among whom are Rear Admiral Hwtnhurne, If. H N.; Chief Justice Howell of tho supreme court of Ontario, Canada; Mr, and Mrs. George 16. Llndley of New York, who are annual visitors and intend to remain through the winter; the Hon. C. and Mrs. Bir (Continucd on Next Page). HOME EDITION Petrograd Report States That Half of Turk’s Columns Lost in Flight After Fire of Artil lery Petrograd, (Delayed in Transmis sion). —The following communication from the general staff of the army of the Caucasus was given out here to night: “The battle at Sartkamysh (In trans-Caucasia, thirty miles south west of Kara) against large Turkish forces continues. Our artillery fire dispersed a strong column of Turks who endeavored to save themselves by flight after having lost half of their contingent. "Fart of the Turkish forces concen trated in the region of Yallniz-Chame Pass are marching upon Ardahan, (Ardahan is a fortified town in trans ('au casta, forty miles northwest of Kars. The Yaliniz-Chame is south west of Ardahan)” CUT PREMIUM RATE, WAR U. S.-BRITAIN London, 3:51 p. m. Lloyd’s premium to Insure against the outbreak of war between the United States and Great Britain was out In half today. Seven guineas per cent is now naked as against fifteen guineas per cent quoted when the contents of the American note of protest first berame known in Kngla.nd. RING THE BELLS AND LET THE WHISTLES OF THE CITY BLOW A WELCOME TO 1915. The New Year, and we believe it is going to be a Good Yaar for all our people, for the farmers of the South as well as for the cities of the South, will be ushered in tonight, with a welcome of bells and blowing of whistles at mid night. Let’s meet the New Year with hope and confidence and courage. Let’s face the facts of changing conditions in all lines of activity. New methods must be practiced on our farms. The agricultural situation of this section is steadily and rapidly undergoing a revolu tion, and it is already beginning to show in bettering business conditions. Augusta it buying corn and oats and hay from the farmers of this section, and many wholesale houses have ceased to buy these products from the West. Next year Augusta will be buying meat as well as other products from the farmers of the South instead of from the farmers of the West. Ther- is today a “savings bank” on almost every farm in this sec tion—cotton in 10 and 100-bale lots that belongs to the farmers and which will find its way to market during the next six months as ready money is need ed for farming operations. This means that the South will market its immense crop of cotton all during 1915, and spring and sum mer months will divide the cotton money that usually comes in the fall. This means prosperity spread all through the year 1915 instead of being concentrated in a few mouths in the Fall. Business is picking up in Au gusta and will staedily get better as the days of the New Year go by. Repor from the wholesale grocery trade are most encourag ing as to basic conditions and the soundness of the country. The cotton mills of the district are practically running on full time, the co.ton teed oil mills of the city and throughout the South are day and night ar.d fully up to normal conditions. They are paying greatly increase ed prices for seed over the open ing of the season. One of the significant signs of returning business and confidence is the report of the Postal Tele graph Company of this city which shows that the slack has been taken up and that it is running its large force on full time. When the wires get busy, it means busi ness is picking up in all lines of trade and ousiness aotivity. Augusta compares favorably with other Southern cities in the re port of an unexpectedly good hol iday trade. The bottom has been reached and with the opening of the New Year gradual improve ment in all lines may be confi dently expected not only in the South, but alt over the country. Get ready to welcome the New Year. Let’s bend all our energies to make it a good year for all our people. A little more work, a lit tle more energy, a little more courage and confidence may be needed, but when this is added to what the South has in the way of n-tural advantages, the South will be the most prosperous section in the world. 1915 is going to see the South well on the way to substantial and continued pros perity. Let’s give a rousing welcome to 1915 tonight end let’s determine to make it a Happy and Prosper ous New Year for all our people. The only way to do a thing, ia to do it. Practice optimism as well aa preach it, and good times are on the way. With every ahoulder to the wheel, co-operation among all our people assured, prosperity la In reach of tho South.