THE MORNING OREGONIAN, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 1914.
AMERICAN EXPERTS
WA
WAR ON PAPER
United States Army Officers
Say Germany Must Ad
vance Through Belgium.
FRENCH FRONTIER STRONG
Division of Kaiser's Fleet Viewed as
One of Weakest Places In Ger
marn - Lineup Strategists
Point Out Flaws.
WASHINGTON". Aug. 5. American
Array officers think In the campaign
through Belgium lies Germany's only
hope of marching her soldiers into
I-ranee. Kven allowing for the ne
cessity of crushing the Belgian army,
the experts here regard this as the
most feasible point of attack.
For nearly 40 years the French en
gineers, among the ablest in the world
in scientific design, have been labor
ing like beavers constructing fortifi
cations of earth and steel, even includ
ing great revolving turrets like those
of a dreadnought, that now practically
cover every mile of the frontier be
tween France and Germany ana souin
of Belgium. In the estimate of Army
engineers these defenses are invul
nerable except as against an army
vastly outnumbering the French forces
behind the naraDets and in the rifle
pits.
American Axiom Applied.
American axiom is that one soldier
behind such defenses as the French
have erected on this frontier is equal
t four in the attacking army.
This ratio of effective defensive and
offensive nower might be greatly re
duceri bv systematic siege operations.
but this would involve the expenditure
of that most precious factor in a cam
paign time. Therefore, the beginning
of the ramnaign in Belgium had been
exnerted here and the outcome is be
Ing awaited with great interest by
the general staff.
The belief is that the Belgians for
the present will confine themselves to
obstructive tactics in the t,erman
front, feinting and skirmishing and
falling back so as to reduce the per
centage of loss and losing no oppor
tunity to harass the advancing German
army and If possible to cut Its line
of communication.
While this is going on American
strategists believe the French forces,
which are very numerous in the neigh
borhood of Rheims and to the north
and south of that fortress, will come
to the aid of the Belgians.
(crnur'n Wenkness Cited.
Thus, it was suggested tonight
within one year of a century after the
defeat of Napoleon at aterloo, the
Germans and French and Belgians may
come together again In a decisive bat
tle in almost the same theater of this
war.
Today's report of naval engagements
In various places were regarded as
precursory of many similar events In
the four quarters of the globe. Naval
strategists are quick to point the les
son of the dangers of a division of the
fleet. Germany has weakened her po
sition by clinging to the old practice
of dispersing her naval vessels far and
wide in time of peace, failing to guard
against the outbreak of a sudden war
that would make concentration impossible.
ed tonight answers to their messages
to Europe. Difficulties In communica
tion may delay them several days.
Some countries, it was pointed out, may
purposely delay their answers until
later in the conflict. The President's
offer leaves it open to them to accept,
if not now, at any time as the situation
develops.
John Barrett, director-general of the
Pan-American Union, who discussed
mediation with the British Ambassador
today, told him he cpuld count on the
hearty support of South American na
tions in forwarding mediation.
"Brasil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay
and practically all of South America,"
said Mr. Barrett, "are hit harder by
the war than any other section of the
world, and the peculiar situation In
South America may prove a powerful
argument with the German Emperor in
causing him to listen to the President's
proposal of mediation, especially on ac
count of Germany's great commercial
field in South America."
Another basis for hope was the fact
that Inasmuch as the United States Is
in no way party to the European dis
pute, a rejection of her ten.der of good
offices would be contrary to the spirit
of The Hague convention, which spe
cifically suggests that "in case of se
rious disagreement or conflict, the sig
natory powers are to have recourse,
as far as circumstances allow, to the
good offices or mediation of one or
more friendly powers."
Article three of The Hague conven
tion says:
"Powers, strangers to the dispute,
have the right to offer good offices or
mediation, even during the course of
hostilities.
"The exercise of this right can never
be regarded by one or the other of the
parties In conflict as an unfriendly act.
AMERICA IS ASKED
TO REASSURE
CHINA
Oriental Government Wants
United States to Request
Neutrality in Far East.
REFUSAL SEEMS LIKELY
Action Taken in 18 70 Oaring Fran-co-Prussian
Outbreak Not Viewed
Applicable Now in Light
of Developments.
as
WASHINGTON. Aug. 5. (Special.)
The government of China today ap
pealed to the United States to intercede
with the warring' powers for the pur
pose of assuring maintenance of peace
in the Far East.
While this Government has not yet
made its final answer to the Chinese
government, there Is every indication
BELGIUM IS KEY TO FRENCH BORDER; MAY BALK GERMAN
PLANS.
The vital importance of Belgium in a war between France and
Germany lies in the fact that unless Germany may move across Bel
gian territory, neutralized by treaty, an invasion of France would have
to be through the heavily fortified French frontier proper. The entire
northeastern frontier of France is, roughly, 440 miles in length. For
a distance of about 250 miles these frontier lines separate France
from Belgium and Luxemburg. The remainder, about 190 miles, sep
arates France from German territory.
With the neutrality of Belgium observed the scene of action would
be reduced to the splendidly fortified Franco-German frontier proper.
This line of defense runs, broadly speaking, from Verdun to Nancy,
to Epinal, to Belfort and to Besancon. Each of these cities is the
center of a group of fortifications extending northwest and south
cast, and all facing the German border.
Behind this line of fortifications France has a second line of de
fense, running parallel from Rheims to Chalons and to Verdun and
from Chalons to Langres to DI.1on and to Besancon. This second line
of protection is from SO to 120 miles from Paris, and the first frontier
line of fortifications is. roughly speaking, from 140 to 220 miles from
the French capital. The French frontier from the Strait of Dover to
German territory, the line which separates France from Belgium and
Luxemburg, also is well protected.
Thus a German advance through Belgium is, in effect, "going
around the- end."
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AMERICA OFFERS TO HELP
(Continued From First Page.)
and French embassies and Belgian le
gation called at the department.
Mr. Bryan delivered the message to a
representative of the legation of The
Netherlands and other countries not
directly involved, but as a matter of in
formation to their foreign offices. The
diplomats expressed no opinion- to the
Secretary, but some of them told news
papermen afterwards they believed
the situation had gone too far to be
halted by mediation. The Austrian
Ambassador thought, however, that
even if the offer were not- accepted, a
sudden turn in the military or naval
aspect of the war might Influence an
acceptance.
Move Carefully Weighed.
The offer of the United States was
made after many days of careful con
sideration by the President and his
Cabinet. The Cabinet almost unani
mously supported the proposal. From
the first the idea-had been in the minds
of Administration officials, but as the
President read dispatches from Ameri
can diplomats reciting the failure of re
peated efforts on the part of other
powers to mediate in the dispute when
It was confined to Austria and Servia,
and later between Germany and Rus
sia, he was not encouraged.
As long as European nations them
selves were endeavoring to adjust the
situation. Mr. Wilson thought it was
the traditional duty of the American
Government not to interfere.
When practically all Europe suddenly
became Involved and the United States
stood forth as the solitary power of
absolute neutrality, the President acted
with dispatch.
Crial Brings Quick Move.
He wrote the brief note, sent it to
Secretary Bryan, who promptly ap
proved, and late last night the mes
sages were sent to Europe. It is be
lieved the message to Emperor Wil
liam was delivered before the cable to
Germany was cut- One of the secre
taries of the German embassy, however,
said today he would in all events try to
get the message to his government by
wireless.
From the character of the inquiries
made by American diplomats of their
own initiative, the prospect for an ac
ceptance by some of the European na
tions was considered bright at the
White. House. Great Britain and her
allies. It is believed, will accept, but
no assurance of any kind has come
from Germany. Should the Emperor
agree, it is thought the entire situation
would be settled by pacific means and a
great war averted.
Bryan's lnflurr.ee Felt.
The most recent example of media
tion was the adjustment at Niagara
Falls by Argentina, Brazil and Chile
of the International side of the Mexican
tangle. Secretary Bryan has been an
avowed champion of the principle of
mediation and was instrumental in
urging the American Government to
accept "good offices" in the Mexican
situation. The centra theme of me
diation which is to suspend hostilities
without ceasing military preparations
and discuss peace in a calm and concil
iatory spirit, is embodied in 20 peace
treaties drafted by Secretary Bryan,
which were favorably reported by the
Senate committee on foreign relations
today. Action was taken on them at
this time with the hope of exerting a
moral Influence for peace in the pres
ent situation. The treaties would
provide an international commission to
Investigate causes of disputes within
period of six months or more before
resorting to arms.
The President and Mr, Bryan await-
"Independently of this recourse, the
signatory powers recommend that one
or more powers, strangers to the dis
pute, should, on their own initiative
and, as far as circumstances may allow,
offer their good offices or mediation to
the states at variance."
None of the powers, it was pointed
out, would suffer any disadvantage
through the acceptance of mediation.
Under The Hague convention the part
of the mediator consists in "reconciling
the opposing claims and appeasing the
feeling of resentment which may have
arisen between the states at variance,"
and mediation "has exclusively the
character of advice" and "never binding
force."
The first step which the United States
would take in the event of a general
acceptance of its proposal would be to
suggest a suspension of hostilities. This
wouia not involve any interruption or
delay in mobilization or measures of
preparation for war.
RAINBOW QUITS STRAITS
Canadian Cruiser to Ply Outside to
Reassure British Ships.
SEATTLE. Wash., Aug. 5. The Can
adian cruiser Rainbow, which has been
stationed at the Esquimau naval sta
tion, near Victoria, passed out of the
Strait of Fuca at 9 o'clock this morn
ing. The Rainbow is an old boat, and
her armament is not formidable. It is
supposed that she will cruise off Cape
Flattery to reassure British ships.
So far as known, there is no hostile
war vessel nearer than Mazatlan, Mex
ico, but rumors have been widely spread
that German cruisers were lying in
wait off Cape Flattery.
Ambassador Willard Returns.
' RICHMOND, Va., July 5. Joseph K.
Willard, Ambassador to Spain, will sail
aboard the Tennessee, returning to his
post in Madrid from the bedside of his
sick daughter, Mrs. Kermit Roosevelt,
In New York.
Dardanelles' and Bosphorus Closed.
CONSTANTINOPLE. Aug. 6. The
Dardanelles and the Bosphorus were
closed today in order to preserve the
neutrality of Turkey.
that the Chinese government will be
informed shortly that the United States
does not consider it advisable or prac
ticable to take the step requested.
It is possible, however, that the
United States will undertake to make
representations to European belliger
ents with a vie wto securing exemption
of foreign concessions in China from
becoming the scene of conflict. Pro
visions in the treaty of 1868 between
the United States and China afford a
basis for such restricted representation
to the powers by the United States, but
it is not believed China's broad propo
sition win De viewed favorably.
Action in 1870 la Basis.
The request of the Chinese govern
ment was madeby Yung Kwai. secre
tary of the Chinese legation. He based
his request on action of the United
States Government in 1870. during the
war between France and Prussia.
At that time Secretary of State Fish
brought about an agreement among
the respective belligerent govern
ments and also between respective na
val commanders in Chinese waters to
refrain from hostilities in those waters.
The basis of Secretary Fish's appeal
and the reason for its success at that
time was his representing that fight
ing between French and Germans in
Chinese waters might provoke them
into a general warfare on all nations.
It is understood, however, that the
State Department does not view the
situation in China and the Far East
in the same light as did Secretary of
State Fish during the Franco-Prussian
war.
Present Situation Different.
There is not basis for a belief that
the belligerents, in view of the large
and important Interests and possessions
of their respective enemies in China,
would pay any attention to proposals
that they refrain from striking at their
enemies in that part of the world any
more than in Europe.
Neither is it now considered that
hostilities between the European bel
ligerentst with the possibility of Japan
taking a hand In favor of her ally,
England, will arouse China to anti
foreign outbreaks. The fear of such
outbreaks was the chief reason ad
vanced to Secretary Fish and the basis
on which French and Prussians then
consented to them.
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Balance in Six Monthly Payments .
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GERMAN GABLES ARE GUT
COMMUNICATION WITH EMPIRK
PRACTICALLY DEMORALIZED.
British Vessels Thought to Have Sev
ered Line From Asores Warring
Nation Well Hemmed In.
5. Direct cable
Germany was
Great Britain imports more than 20,000.-
00O bottles of mineral waters annually.
NEW YORK, Aug.
communication with
stopped today.
The German Atlantic cable lines from
New York to Emden. via the Azores,
were cut about 1:30 A. M., at some
point east of tne Azores, possibly by
British warships. The Commercial
Cable Company, which operates the
American end of this line, made the
announcement of the cutting today, and
refused to accept messages for Ger
many. It was denied that the lines
had been cut by British warships on
this side of the Atlantic. The cable was
working, according to announcement,
as far as the Azores.
Charles P. Adams, Becond vice-president
of the Commercial Cable Company,
said there was no trouble with the
regular Commercial Cable Company's
lines, which run from New York to
Nova Scotia and thence to points on
the English Coast. Communication with
England over these lines was still be
ing maintained. No hope was held out,
however, for any Immediate restora-
WAB MAP SHOWING PRINCIPAL POINTS FIGURING IN WEDNESDAY'S HOSTILITIES.
KSBVK
. at pert
v S
f f""" S A v ST fS A - tsr a SV J y '
1 Guernsey. Channel Inlands. Near Which French Warship Captured German Steamer. 3 Dover. England,
Off Which Firing Waa Reported. 3 London. Where There Is Greatest Activity In Mobilisation. 4
Hull, England. Where Several German Steamers Were Seized by Great Britain. 5 Calais, France, Off
Which French Torpedo Boats Captured Two German Vessels. Namur, Belgium, Scene of German
Belgian Clash. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Brussels, Belgian Capital, and Liege, Vervlera, Stnvllor and Spa, Belgian
Cities, Around Which Fighting Raged. 12 Tatburg, Holland, Seised by Germans. 13 Hamburg,
Germany, Base for Operations of North Sea Fleet. 14 Nancy, France, Around Which German Invaders
Are Fighting French Defenders. 15 Gibraltar. British Fortress and Naval Base for Operations in
Mediterranean. IB Algiers, Off Which French Fleet Sank German Warship and Captured Tito Oth
ers. IT Dardanelles Straits, Closed by Turkey. Imprisoning Russian Black Sea Fleet.
tion of communication with Germany
over the direct lines.
The cutting of the German cable be
tween Emden and the Azores virtually
completes the isolation of Germany
from communication with the outside
world, except so far as messages may
be exchanged by wireless.
All direct communication with the
United States is severed; hereafter all
news of happenings in Germany will
have to filter through hostile coun
tries; Russia, on the east; France on
the west, and England on the north.
All the submarine lines in the Medi
terranean Sea belong to the Eastern
Telegraph Company, a British concern,
and any German news that did make
Its way to Southeastern Europe
through Austria-Hungary would not be
transmitted over the lines of this com
pany. News of the cutting of the German
lines between Germany and England
may be expected at any moment. Al
ready these lines are in the hands of
the military authorities, where they
land on British territory.
All the land lines from Germany in
every direction except to Austria-Hungary
have been severed.
Any cable from Germany to Norway
and Sweden which may still be in ope
ration is comDarutlvely valueless, for
the reason that news, to reach the out
side world would have to be relayed
to England.
WAR MAPS IN DEMAND
Books on Lands Involved in War
Arc Keadily Sold by Stores.
Bookstores in Portland simply have
been stripped ot war maps of all kinds
and there has been a demand for books
on the countries involved in the pres
ent war that threatens to call for rush
orders to the Eastern houses to keep
u i) with the demand.
"Maps have been sold ranging all the
way from 2d cents to to persons oi
every nationality interested in the
struggle," said J. T. Hotchkiss, man
ager of the book department of Gill's
yesterday. "One man bought a colos
sal map for $75.
"The call is steadily increasing. 1
have wired two orders for maps and
it begins to look as though book orders
will have to follow. Books on the
Kaiser and on Germany are most in de
mand, although histories of all other
countries involved are in demand."
The Public Library has experienced
a startling war activity. Miss Hunt
has Issued orders for a special "War
Library" to be compiled.
CANADA BUYS. SUBMARINES
Dominion Takes Two Vessels Just
Finished for Chile.
SEATTLE, Aug. 5. Two powerful
submarine vessels just completed at a
Seattle shipyaro for the Chilean navy
have been sold to the Canadian gov
ernment. They proceeded to Victoria,
B. C, under their own steam last night.
They are each fto feet long and of 420
tons.
The Chilean government was to have
paid $500,000 for the submarines, which
had been christened Iqulque and Anto
fagasta. and it is supposed that the
Canadian government paid this sum in
cash. There had been a controversy
between the builders and the Chilean
government over whether the boats ful
filled their promise in the contract.
GERMANS ARE HOSTILE
III SSI A
AMBASSADOR ABUSED
IE QUITS BEI1I.IN.
S
Crowds Spit In Faces of Enihnssy Staff,
Among Whom Is Princess Belos
selaky, American.
ST. PETERSBURG. Aug. ." (Via Lon
don.) The Russian Ambassador In
Berlin. M. de Sverbew, and his staff are
reported to have been subjected to
much abuse after the declaration of
war. Some of the members of the Am
bassadorial suite, including Princess
Belosselsky. who was Miss Susie Whit
tier, of Boston, and First Secretary of
Embassy Charovitskl are alleged
actually to have been struck by per
sons In the crowd, which followed their
motorcars to the railroad station when
they were leaving Berlin.
According to an eyewitness, the em
bassy was surrounded, and when the
Ambassador, who was escorted by
mounted police, departed for the sta
tion in an automobile, the people hurled
storms of abuse at him. The police had
the greatest difficulty In protecting him
and the members of his staff.
Friends of the Ambassador, who fol
lowed him in motorcars, also are xnid
to have been forced to run a gauntlet
of hostile Germans. The crowd followed
the rara. abusing the occupants of
them, throwing stones, spitting bj th
faces of the embassy staff and striking
both men and women witli sticks MM
umbrellas, it is said.
M. Charovitskl was struck MetHC.
blow on the had which cut his scalp.
He in said to be under special treatment
in Copenhagen. Princess Belosselsky
was hit on her back and shoulder by
an old, well-dressed man. and other
persons in the crowd spat at her.
Other members of the party are de
clared to have been similarly treated.
The children were placed In the bot
toms of the autmohlles In order to pro-
THE LUSITANIA SAILS AWAY
Under Cover of Darkness Big Liner
Puts Off: No Hostile Ship Seen.
NEW YORK, Aug. 5. -The big Cu
narder Lusitania. which sailed under
the cover of darkness early today, was
to the eastward of Nantucket this
afternoon and proceeding on her course.
There were no hostile warships In the
vicinity, as far as could be learned.
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