NEUTRAL STATES

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2225, 11 August 1914, Page 5

NEUTRAL STATES

ITALY REFUSES TO JOIN HER ALLIES SECRET MISSIONS TO ROME • . Paris, August 8. The Borne correspondent of the "Echo de' Paris" states that representatives of the Austrian and German. Governments have, arrived on secret missions to the Italian Government. Other reports' state that tho Duke of Avarna has returned to Vienna, being unable to shake Italy's determination to remain neutral. UNAVAILING PRESSURE. FEELING FAVOURS THE ENTENTE. ... London, August 9. Notwithstanding pressure and promises of aggrandisement Italy persists in refusing' to break her neutrality;. Great popular demonstrations in favour of England and France - continue. A THREAT OF WAR. REPORT FROM ROME. London, August 9. Renter's agent at'Rbme states that Germany and' Austria are beginning to threaten Italy for declaring her neutrality, contrary to her obligations to tie Tnplico. If Italy persists Germany and Austria will consider themselves free to declaro war against' Italy, and invade Venetia and Lombardy. MEDIATION. PRESIDENT WILSON ; S OFFER. . Rome, August 8. President Wilson's offer of mediation has .produced an excellent effect here, Italy will support tho proposal. VIOLATIONS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW. ' COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY PRO- ........ '■ Paris, August 9/ M. Hanotaut, in the "Figaro, appeals to tho neutral Powers to form a committeo of inquiry to watoh .for. any violation of• international law,, and to protest, 'against incendiarism, pillaging, and assassinations.' He suggests that the committee should include President Wilson. Mr. Bryan (United States Secretary of State), Mr. Root (ex-United States Secretary of' State), and Mr. Andrew Carnegie.. ~ AUSTRIA AND BRITAIN. STATE OF WAR DECLARED NOT TO EXIST. ■ ;'■. ..„;„■ Vienna, August 8. It is semi-officially stated that-war between Germany and. England does not constitute a state of war between Austria and England. . The case is paralleled by the case of Germany and Servia.' There is small desire in Austria for a naval conflict with England. TURKISH TROOPS CONCENTRATING. | LAEGE FOECE MOBILISED. ■ „' Athens, August 8. The French staff at Dectogatch, the principal seaport and railways terminus on the Aegean Sea in European Turkey, report great' concentration of Turkish ttoops at Dtideagatoh and Fercjik, an inland town in ' the neighbourhood. j BULGARIA'S POSITION. KING WILL DO HIS UTMOST TO KEEP OUT. rm. . „ Sofia. August 8. • _Xhe King of Bulgaria has promised Russia to'do his utmost to keep neutral. General Dimitriff, now Bulgarian Minister at St. Petersburg, has volunteered to serve fori Russia, JAPAN ALERT. FIEST AND SECOND SQUADRONS AT; SEA,' Tokio, August 8. The first, and second naval squadrons have gone to sea. . Tho Japanese First Squadron, according to the "Naval Annual" for 1914, comprises the battloships Skihishima (11,850 tons, four 12-in. and ten 6-in. guns), Kawachi (20,800 tons, twelve 12-in., ton 6in. guns), Sottsu (20,800 tons, twelve 12-in. and ten 6-in. guns), and Kashima (16,400 tons, four 12-ra. and four 10-in., and twelve 6-in. guns); and the armoured oruisors Kurarna (14,620 tons, four 12-in., and eight 8-in. guns), and Ibuki (14,620 tons, four 12-in. and eight 8-in. guns). The second squadron consists of the armoured cruiser Idyumo(97so tons, four 8-in., and fourteen 6-in.-guns), and three light cruisers, RUMANIA GUARDS HER FEONTIEES. _ St. * Petersburg, August 8. Eumania, which is a member of the Triple Alliance, is taking steps to guard her frontier. NEW STYLE OF WARFARE INDISCRIMINATE USE OF MINES . MR. CHURCHILL'S COMMENTS (Rec. August 10, 5.20 p.m.) London, August 9. Mr. Winston Churchill, First Lord'of the Admiralty, in describing tho loss of H.M.S, Amphion, said the indiscriminate use of mines in places not connected with military harbours or strategical positions and the scattering of mines about the seas might destroy not merely the enemy's vessels or warships, bat peaceful roof-, chantmen travelling under neutral flags. This use of mines was new ■in ivaffare and deserved to bo attentively considered by the nations of the civilised world. The Admiralty was not alormed and had expected a certain number of such inci-, dents, but Britain's arrangements pro-1 vided. for Tedticing such (jccorrenccs to a minimum;-—"Times" and. Sydney "Sun" Services..