--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 17 number: 12 published: 1914-10 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, "Passing Events", *Improvement Era* 17, no. 12 (October 1914): 1182–1188.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1712unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera1712unse start_page: 1182 end_page: 1188 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1914-10) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1712unse publication_year: 1914 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1914, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Passing Events Passing Events The first vessel from the Pacific coast ports by way of the Panama Canal arrived in New York harbor on September 5. It was the steamship "Nebraskan." The mayor of New York escorted her* captain to the city hall where a letter, sent by the vessel from the mayor of San Francisco to the mayor of New York, was read. — The European War. After the battle of Liege the Germans continued their advance towards the interior of Belgium, and the invasion according to reports was one continuous victorious German advance. On the 19th of August the Germans reached Louvain, a city fifteen miles east by north of Brussels. This city has a population of over forty thousand inhabitants, and possesses a university, formerly of European reputation, and still attended by hundreds of students. The Church of St. Peter, built at the end of the 14th century, and rich in works of art, is one of its notable buildings; also its Hotel de Villie which is one of the richest and most beautiful Gothic buildings in the world. It is said that owing to the inhabitants showing their rsentment at the occupation of their city by shooting at the Germans, the Germans burned and destroyed the city including the church and its works of art. The German column swept from Louvain through the country, past Brussels, which was left undefended, then turned south to meet the Allies at Mons and Charleroi. Raiding parties of Uhlans occupied Ghent, Bruges and Ostend, but encountered no Belgian troops. A war tribute of forty million dollars is said to have been levied on Brussels by Germany, and ten millions on Liege. The Allies were encountered from Mons to Namur and the Luxemburg frontier. The Allies continued to withdraw until the Germans, in early September, were practically THE EMPEROR AND EMPRESS OF GERwithin fifty miles of Paris. On MANY AS THEY APPEARED ON PHOthe 25th of August the Germans TOGRAPHS SOLD IN BERLIN, IX 1892 captured five Namur forts, and on this date the French abandoned the Alsace campaign. The following day, the French ministry resigned, and a coalition cabinet was formed on war lines. The next day the Germans captured Longwy and all the Namur forts. On the 28th the British were defeated at Maubeuge, and landed marines at Ostend. On this same day the Germans burned and sacked the city of Louvain. The Germans continued their uninterrupted advance through Northern France, pushing the allied French, English and Belgian armies back toward Paris, though at a tremendous loss of lives, but unable still to penetrate the PASSING EVENTS 1183 line of the Allies. Their losses in dead and wounded officially given from Berlin fixed thedead and wounded in the war at over thirtyseven thousand, though the Allies contend that it is much larger. No official figures have been given as to the number of dead and wounded among the Allies. On the night of August 24th the Germans bombarded Antwerp from a Zeppelin. Ten non-combatants, most of them women and children, were killed by the bombs said to have been aimed at the royal palace, and more than seven hundred houses were damaged. While these things were going on, on the west, Russia invaded Prussia and the Austrian border on the east. A definite and full account of the battles and what has been transpiring on the battle fields, both on the east and on the west, has not fully been made public owing to the strict censorship of reports from the fields of conflict. The nations seem to have learned the lesson of secrecy from the Russo-Japanese war in which the Japanese made nothing public except such matter as the war chiefs decided should be stated. The chronology of the war from our last statement is as follows: August — 18 Germans advance on Brussels. The Russian mobilization is completed. Austria suffers serious defeat on the Servian line. — August 19 Germans reach Louvain, and battles rage from Namur and Diest. — August 20 German cavalry occupy Brussels and the Belgians retire toward Antwerp. The French re-capture Mulhausen. — August 21 Ghent is occupied by German cavalry and the Allies reported victory at Tirlemont. Namur was largely invested by Germans who levied a tribute of forty millions on the city of Brussels and ten millions THE EMPEROR OF GERMANY AS HE on the city of Liege. Antwerp, APPEARS TODAY in the meantime, prepared for a siege. — August 22 From Charleroi to Namur battles raged between the Allies and the Germans. The Servians were defeated by the Austrians on the banks of the Drina. — August 23 Japan declared war against Germany. From Mons to the Luxemburg frontier the armies of the British and French extend. August 24—The German left wing entered France, captured Luneville. The Japanese blockaded Tsing Tao. Austria abandons the Servian campaign, and the Russians occupy eastern Prussia. — August 25 Five Namur forts are captured by Germans and the 1184 IMPROVEMENT ERA French abandon the Alsace campaign. Austria declares war on Japan. Antwerp is bombarded by Zeppelin bombs. — August 26 The French ministry resigned and a new coalition cabinet was formed on war lines. — August 27 Longwy is captured by the German army led by the crown prince. "Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse" is sunk off the coast of west Africa by the British cruiser "High Flyer." All the Namur forts were captured. — August 28 Two torpedo boat destroyers and a German cruiser were sunk by the British fleet off Helgoland. On this date the Germans burned and sacked the city of Louvain. British marines were landed at Ostend. — August 29 Paris prepared for a siege. — August 30 The right wing of the Germans continued its advance, and a German aeroplane flies over Paris. France calls out the 1914 reserves. — August 31 The Allies fall back before the German advance and the Germans report the capture of thirty thousand Russians. Another aeroplane flies over Paris. September 1 — The British lose the battle of Compiegne. The name of St. Petersburg, the capital of Russia, was changed to Petrograd. — September 2 The French government was removed from Paris to Bordeaux. — September 3 The Austrian army is reported to have been overwhelmingly defeated by the Russians in Galicia. Lille was occupied by the Germans. — September 4 The German right wing passes by Paris to the Marne river, on the east, and Paris is surprised, great preparations having: been made for a siege. The Austrians meet reverses in Russian Poland. September 5 —The Allies agree not to make peace separately or without the consent of all. General von Buelow captures Rheims. September 7 — The British cruiser "Pathfinder"is blown up by a mine in the North Sea. The Russian government announces the annexation of Galicia. The Germans continue to retire. Sept. 8 —The five-day battle of the Marne begins, ending in complete victory for the French and English. On the 12th to the 21st of September the battle of the Aisne continued, the most desperate and deadliest battle of the war. and up to that date with no seeming direct advantage to either side. This batfle may be called the third of the campaign in France; the Germans ha\ rg retired and sought a strong position where they could take precaution s against every emergencv- This battle of the Aisne is considered of more vital importance than those of Liege, Namur and the Marne, and is proceeding on a line extending from the region of Novon, on the river Oise. northwest of Paris, and the river Meuse, northwest of Verdun. The frontier is shorter than in the case of the battle of the Marne. hence will result in a more fiercely contested conflict. The Germans have fortified themselves on the mountains north of the river Aisne, through the plains of the Champagne and in the Argonne mountains through which the Meuse flows. The German force is placed at 1.100.- 000 men and the Allies at 1.500.000. President Woodrow Wilson announced on the 18th that he saw little prospect of peace in European the unofficial exchanges conducted bv American ambassadors with Germany, Great Britain, France and Russia. The situation in Mexico, notwithstanding many rumors to the contrary, seems to have settled down since the entrance of General Carranza into Mexico Citv on the 20th of August. Conditions were in such shape on the 15th of September, that President Woodrow PASSING EVENTS 1185 Wilson felt secure in ordering an evacuation of Vera Cruz. Since the 21st day of April last, Vera Cruz, the principal seaport of Mexico, has been occupied by American soldiers and marines, under General Funston. Americans will embark for home as soon as transports can be supplied, and the war fleet, except a few light draft vessels, will be withdrawn. On the 16th of September, October 10th was set by General Funston as the date for the withdrawal of the American forces from Vera Cruz. The chief consideration in recommending a date so far following the order of evacuation, it was believed, was a desire to give the thousands of Mexican refugees an opportunity to leave the country. There are about 500 priests, 200 nuns, and a dozen generals of the old Huerta army, as well as scores of lower rank, who have sought safety within the American lines. Whether or not the present provisional government will be able to control the country and keep order is a matter for the future to decide. Today there is practical peace in Mexico. Huerta has been forced to exile. Carranza stands at the head of the country, and the constitutional forces are now in power. The policy of President Wilson's "watchful waiting," of which it had become the fashion to speak jeeringly, has been vindicated. Should another revolution come, it will not be an unusual thing, for the problems in Mexico are grievous and vexed, and the birth of a popular government never comes in a hurry but is generally protracted and severe. In the meantime, it becomes the duty of the United States, notwithstanding the withdrawal of its forces from Vera Cruz, to look upon Mexico and her people 'with friendliness, and to persist that constitutional government and popular rule shall be instituted. Japan declared war against Germany, August 23, and there was some apprehension in the United States that this country might be drawn into the war on account of this declaration. Kiauchau, China, a German fortress in the East, will be the object of Japanese attack It was feared here that Japan had motives of conquest against China. This fear, however, was dissipated by the message from Count Okuma, the premier of Japan, to the American people, which was cabled to the New York Independent, and appeared in that weekly on August 31. The message from Okuma reads as follows: "I gladly seize the opportunity to send, through the medium of The Independent, a message to the people of the United States, who have always been helpful and loyal friends to Japan. "It is my desire to convince your people of the sincerity of my government and of my people in all their utterances and assurances connected with the present regrettable situation in Europe and the Far East. "Every sense of loyalty and honor oblige Japan to co-operate with Great Britain to clear from these waters the enemies who in the past, the present, and the future menace her interests, her trade, her shipping and her people's lives. "This Far Eastern situation is not of our seeking. "It was ever mv desire to maintain peace as will be amply proved; as president of the Peace Society of Japan I have consistently so endeavored. "I have read with admiration the loftv message of President Wilson to his people on the subiect of neutrality. "We. of Japan, are appreciative of the spirit and motives that prompted the head of your great nation, and we feel confident that his messaere will meet with a national response, "As Premier of Japan, I have stated and I now again state to the people of America and of the world that Japan has no ulterior motive, no desire to secure more territorv, no thought of depriving China or anv other peoples of anj'thing which they now possess. "My government and my people have given their word and their 1186 IMPROVEMENT ERA pledge, which will he as honorahly kept as Japan always keeps promises." Tokio, August 24, 1914. Pope Benedict XV was named successor to the late Pope Pius X, hy the College of Cardinals who first met in the Sistine Chapel, August 31. On the fourth dav of September they elected Cardinal della Chiesa, Archbishop of Bologna, to succeed Pope Pius X. The newly-elected pope took the name of Benedict XV. He was electedSeptember 4, 1914, and crowned two days later. The conclave, of the College of Cardinals who elected him was one of the shortest in the history of the church. As the last words of Pope Pius X relate to the war, so the new pope, on mounting the throne of St. Peter, September 5, referred to the grave responsibilitv on his shoulders, "When almost all the nations of Europe are stained with blood, and when the wounds inflicted upon humanity are also inflicted upon the church." There were fiftv-seven cardinals present who conducted the conclave and made the election. A vote of twothirds is necessary for a choice. When asked what name he had chosen, the new cope replied, "Benedict XV." Pope Pius X was of a peasant origin, but the new pope comes like Pope Leo POPE BENEDICT XV XTII from the Italian nobility. He is the son of the Marchese della Chiesa, and was born at Pegli, near Genoa, November 21, 1854. He was created cardinal only last May, having acted as bishop of Bologna since 1907. He was ordained to the Priesthood in 1878, was made secretary, shortly after his ordination, to Cardinal Rampolla. and was associated with him for many years. Some have expressed the belief that the new pope, therefore, will be inclined to follow the policies which Cardinal Rampolla, as Secretary of State under Pope Leo XIII, was carrying out. The Great War, it is feared from the agreement of the allfecl nations, made on the 5th of September, 1914, will not be quickly ended. The agreement places the allied nations on a firm stand and fixes matters so that no one nation can conclude terms of peace without the consent of the others. The text follows: "The undersigned, duly authorized thereto by their respective governments, hereby declare as follows: "The British, French and Russian governments mutually engage not to conclude peace separately during the present war. The three governments agree that when the terms of peace come to be discussed no one of the allies will demand conditions of peace without the previous agreement of each of the other allies. PASSING EVENTS 1187 "In faith whereof the undersigned have signed this declaration and have affixed thereto their seals. "Done at London in triplicate, this fifth day of September, 1914. (Signed) E. Grey, "British Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Paul Cambon, "French Ambassador to Great Britain. "Benckendorff, "Russian Ambassador to Great Britain." — King Albert of Belgium. When Germany demanded of Belgium permission to invade France through Belgian territory, Belgium refused, and mobolized her army, of which King Albert took persona' command. He has an army of 42,- 000 on a peace footing and 220,000 on a war footing. Germany declared war on Belgium August 4, and fighting occurred on that day on Belgian soil. At Liege 45,000 Ger- mans engaged 40,000 Belgians. The violation of Belgium's neutrality precipitated Great Britain's declara- tion of war against Germany on August 4. Crown Prince Alexander of Servia. — He is the practical ruler of his country, as King Peter has all but' formally abdicated. Servia, whose troubles with Austria were the immediate cause of all Europe being plunged into war, has been fighting sturdily aeainst the Austrians, and was reported to have occupied Semlin, across the river from Belgrade, Sept. 11. Semlin is an important town of Austro-Hungary in Slavonia. It was from Semlin that the Austrians began fighting on July 29, against the Servians. That morning the Servians blew up the bridge connecting Semlin with Belgrade. The transfer of the war to the larger field of western Europe has overshadowed Servia for the time, but the Balkan states may yet be generally involved in the great struggle, especially if Turkey goes to war. 1188 IMPROVEMENT ERA The Utah Republican nominees for Senator and Representatives were named September 1, 1914 by a state convention held in Salt Lake City. Senator Reed Smoot was nominated for the Senate to succeed himself; and Hon. JosephHowell was also renominated as Congressman from the First District to succeed himself. E. O. Leatherwood was chosen to take the place of Jacob Johnson now serving as Congressman of the Second District. W. M. McCarty was named for Supreme Court Judge, and A. C. Matheson, for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The following eulogy of the services of Senator Smoot in the United States Senate appeared in Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper. August 20, 1914: "Deserving! Business men of this country have recently awakened to the value of having fit and capable representatives on the floor of Congress. It is a pleasure to know that they are standing so earnestly behind Senator Smoot of Utah, now a candidate for re-election. His associate, Senator Weeks of Massachusetts, says truly that Senator Smoot's constituents generally speaking 'can hardly appreciate his value as a legislator. He is entirely familiar with the rules of the Senate, attends the sessions with perhaps more regularity than any other member, and has an unusual familarity with all kinds of legislation.' We know of no stronger defender of the protective tariff with all its benefits to the farmers, the workingmen, and business men, than Senator Smoot. Few members of the Senate have had a wider and deeper grasp of economic questions than he, and none has been more attentive to his Senatorial duties or exhibited a fairer disposition to treat all questions not so much from the standpoint of partisanship as from that of the common welfare of all the people. Utah has never been represented in the Senate by an abler, more conscientious or more industrious man than Reed Smoot. His fellow members all bear testimony to this fact. His record proves it. He honors his state and it will return him to his seat by a decisive majority." The movement for world-wide peace, now being formed in the United States, is supported by the Los Angeles "Examiner" which newspaper requested President Toseph F. Smith to express himself upon the movement. To this request President Smith dictated a reply which was printed in the "Deseret News" of September 15 and wired to the "Examiner" as follows: Salt Lake City, September 15th, 1914. "Examiner," Los Angeles, California. Answering your telegram: Any practical movement for the establishment of peace, local or universal, likely to effect the purpose in view, has the moral support of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. The choice of representatives to present the matter of world-wide peace to the nations of Europe, just now, would depend upon serious considerations, personal and otherwise. Also the right of nations as well as individuals to protect and defend themselves against unlawful and unjust assaults, even to the extent of taking up arms, must not be denied. War is to be deplored and steps to prevent it or avert its consequences should be promoted and encouraged, within the bounds of justice and mercy and self-protection. A worldwide peace enterprise is worthy the attention and aid of every religious institution, if it acts as well as theorizes, and recognizes human and national rights. Joseph F. Smith, President, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints