by Richard van Pelt, WWI Correspondent

The headlines speak to the growing fears of the war. In the west, Paris prepares for a siege as German armies cross into France, and as casualties mount. In the east, Russia seems confident that Berlin will fall within weeks.

“ALLIES ARE VERY MUCH ALARMED” reads the headline. ”The allies plainly are alarmed today by developments on the Franco-Belgian frontier,” so concerned that the war offices withheld their usual daily statements about the progress of the fighting. Allied losses were described as “staggering” and it was reported that the French and British had lost 70,000 men killed, wounded, or captured.

“Nothing New From War At Coos Bay” followed up on an earlier story of rumors of a naval battle off the Oregon coast:

Although nothing indicating that a naval battle was in progress off Coos Bay was heard early today, verification of heavy firing yesterday afternoon apparently by warships reaching here from all along the southwest Oregon coast.

It was impossible to ascertain whether or not a naval engagement had taken place, and no wreckage was being washed ashore, but hundreds of citizens of this section, who heard the firing were positive that it was that of cannon.

The sea was overcast with fog today. If there were foreign war vessels in the offing, they could not be seen.

In Washington, Secretary of State Bryan urged Americans to leave Europe as speedily as possible. “‘War has its uncertainties,’ said Secretary Bryan, ‘and it is not advisable for Americans to stay longer in Europe.’”