Today -100: September 4, 1914: Of snow and boots, mobilization, exiles, outgoing princes and incoming popes

Fog of War (Rumors, Propaganda and Just Plain Bullshit) of the Day -100: Lady Churchill (Winston’s mother) says that Prince Friedrich Wilhem of Lippe, a general in the German army, committed suicide in shame after his regiment fired on other German troops, mistaking them for Belgians.  In fact, he was killed in battle in the ordinary manner.

Snow of War -100: 72,000 Russian soldiers have supposedly arrived in Scotland on their way to the Western Front (still with snow on their boots, as some very credulous but persistent rumors will have it).

Turkey is mobilizing its army and is expected to declare war on Russia at some point.  Kurds and Christians (Armenians) are resisting being drafted.

The British have captured the German governor of German Samoa and sent him into exile on Fiji, which must totally suck.

Christabel Pankhurst returns to Britain from her long Paris exile.

The (American) National Association Opposed to Woman Suffrage will devote itself entirely to supporting the work of the Red Cross in Europe.  The Antis hope the suffragists will join them in a “truce.”

Prince William of Wied, whose venerable line has ruled Albania for lo these many weeks, flees to Italy, never to return.

The Archbishop of Bologna, Della Chiesa, is elected pope.  Benedict XV.

Mexico: Federal Gen. Higinio Aguilar calls on all former soldiers of the former Federal army to help him overthrow Carranza.

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