Second Edition. The European Blaze.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 87, 3 August 1914, Page 6

Second Edition. The European Blaze.

LATEST NEWS OF THE WAR

FRANCE AND GERMANY. SOME STRAIGHT TALK. [By Electric Telegraph-Copyright] (•[United Press Association.] (Received 10.5 a.in.) Paris, August 2. The Russian Ambassador informed M. Viviani of Germany’s declaration of war. Foreigners have been notified that they must leave within the first day of mobilisation, otherwise they will require passports. Foreigners, with the .exception of Austrians, may remain hr Paris on special permit. Austrians will be sent to special depots on the western frontier and thence allowed to leave I by the neutral frontier. All motor buses have been commandeered to serve in transporting food for tlie army. It is understood that M, Viviani told Baron von Choen, the German Ambassador: “You are mobilising—we know it. Therefore, the action of your Government has dictated ours. We are compelled to take similar precautions; but our peaceful intentions are unchanged. Of this the best proof is that wo have not summoned Pa rl iament. ’ ’ Baron Von Choen replied that he feared an incident on the frontier. M. V iviani pointed out that the I French troops were not within five miles of the frontier, while the Germans were at the very frontier.

- BATTERING BELGRADE.

SHELLS DAMAGE NUMEROUS BUILDINGS. \ (Received 2.15 p.m.) Belgrade, August 2. Austrian sliella at Belgrade wrecked the State school, bank, hotel, cathedral, tobacco factory and iron-VaC-.’j:'. Th~ bombardment continues.

“THE CAUSE OF PEACE,”

WHAT AUSTRALIA WILL DO FOR THE EMPIRE. (Received 10.40 a.m.) Sydney, August 3. The “Herald” says: “If England is involved in the war we. may he assured that she is lighting in the came of peace. We will know that if she is committed it will not be till peace has been sought by every means consistent with national honor. In this gravest of the crises faced by the British people since they first became members of a world-wide Empire, no doubt the message Australia would send will be that the whole people of this continent are united in their determination to support the Empire to the utmost limits of their resources.” In another place the journal declares that if the British Government requires military assistance Australia would probably have not the slightest hesitation in equipping and despatching an expeditionary' force. Mr Cook says that the Australian navy is ready and at the disposal of the Empire. , Two German Consular officers have departed hurriedly for Germany. The French Consul in Melbourne has notified his countrymen to Hold themselves in readiness to rejoin the army and urgently requests them to to report to the Consulate.

A SIGNIFICANT FACT.

QUASI* MORATORIUM DECLARED BY BRITAIN. BOMBS FROM AN AEROPLANE. (Received 1.55 p.m.l London, August 2. A Royal proclamation this afternoon established d quasi-moratorium. ’nip German military authorities announce that a French aviator dropped bombs near Nuremberg. The French Embassy points out that Germany has not yet declared war, though invasion has begun.

FAVORING NEUTRALITY.

AN ENORMOUS MEETING IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE. LABOR M.P.’S SAY BRITAIN “HAS NO INTERESTS.” London, August 2. There arc newspaper editions all day and night, which are eagerly bought. An enormous gathering attended a pro-neutrality meeting in Trafalgar Square. Messrs Keir Hardie and Henderson, Labor M.P.’s, delivered speeches protesting against entering on a war in which Britain has no interests. There were largo congregations at the churches, where prayers for pcac* .were delivered. A steamer has left Hull to recall the North Sea fishing fleet.

NO CAUSE FOR SERIOUS v ALARM.

MR MASSEY RETICENT ON THE POSITION. • ) • 'l f t GOVERNMENT TAKING EVERY NECESSARY MEASURE. [Pub Peebb Association.] Wellington, August 3. The Premier, seen at one, o’clock, stated that the Executive mot this morning and considered matters connected with the outbreak of war, but lie was not in a position to make any announcement. Proclamations will bo issued shortly which will give details; but in the meantime he could give an assurance that everything necessary was being done. Ho could not give particulars of the number of the expeditionary force, but ho made a point of the fact that volunteers would be asked from tho Territorials. He could not say anything about the movements of naval vessels in New Zealand waters. Parliament would go on as usual and a Banking Bill would bo put through in duo course. Mr Massey emphasised tho fact that ho knew of no circumstance to give rise to serious alarm. CROAT!ANS DESIRE TO ACCOMPANY NEW ZEALANDERS. Auckland, August 3. The Croatian Independent League decided to ask the Premier for permission to allow Croatian recruits to accompany any Now Zealand volunteers who may be sent to England.

PAINS AND PENALTIES.

COMPREHENSIVE PUNISHMENTS FOR DESERTERS. ALL AUSTRIANS CALLED UP. Auckland, August 2. The Austrian Consul is advised from Vienna that a general mobilisation has been ordered and that all subjects oi the Emperor living in New Zealand and liable to serve in the Austrian army, including all reservists, must leave for Austria by the lirst oppoi - tunity. A man liable for service who itoes not respond is deprived for all time of the right to inherit any property in Austria or Hungary, his property, if lie opsscsses any iu that country, will he forfeited and he will he liable to be othoriwsc dealt with according t omilitary law.

OUTBREAK MAY OCCUR AT ANY MOMENT.

GERMAN OFFICIAL STATEMENT. (Received 3.15 p.m.) Berlin, August 2. 'l’ho official statement is that an outbreak with France may occur at any moment.

LONDON AT FEVER HEAT.

CENSORSHIP IMPOSED ON THE TELEGRAPHS. AN UGLY IMPEACHMENT OF GERMANY. (Received 3.5 p.m.) London, August 2. There arc great crowds in Fleet Street awaiting news of the Cabinet meeting, which broke up at eight o’clock. Censorship has been imposed on telegrams and cablegrams. The Orient line has ordered the steamer Otway to await instructions at Gibraltar, and similarly ordered the Osterley at Port Said. M. Csunbon, French Ambassador at Berlin, lias issued a statement asserting that Germany declaied wai at the moment when Russia and Austia were approaching an agreement. The result of Cabinet deliberations is unknown. It is understood that Mr Asquith 'announces England’s attitude in the House of Commons tomorrow. Tkore are enormous crowds in Downing Street. Sir Edward Grey received a tremendous ovation on leaving the Cabinet meeting.

GERMANS IN LUXEMBOURG

A HUNDRED THOUSAND MEN BEING CONCENTRATED. (Received 3.15 p.m.) Brussels, August 2. A hundred thousand Germans are crossing Luxembourg and concentrating.on the frontier near Leige.

THE FINANCIAL POSITION.

OPTIMISM OF BANK OF NEW ZEALAND CHAIRMAN. UGLY RUMOUR SCOTCHED. Wellington, August 3. Mr Harold Beauchamp, chairman of the Bank of New Zealand, giving his personal views of the raising of the Bank of England rate to ten per cent., said he never remembered such before, It was an unmistakable indication that the whole object of the bank was to conserve its gold, and possibly with a view to strengthening its position the Bank Act would he suspended tomorrow (Tuesday) as had already been suggested. He was confident that the Bank of New Zealand and others transacting business in the Dominion could be depended, upon to do all they legitimately could to assist their clients and the respective governments. “It has been suggested, lie <fcaid,” that upon the declaration of war involving England there will be a general calling up of overdralts. I would like to scotch that idea at the outset. There lias been no meeting of conference between banks to consider the present position. Ho continued that it would be sheer madness to call up overdrafts now because an appalling slump wofuld follow in values of securities and precipitate an uiiparelled financial crisis. The last published returns and balance-sheets show how strong the banks are, in respect to liquid reserves both in Australasia and Loudon. “Whether England is involved or not,” said Mr (Bejauchamp, “1 stroflgly urge the people of New Zealand to keep quite cool. At the present time no good would ho served by showing apprehension. People coming from the same stock as in England can be trusted to show the same lino spirit of self-restraint in a time of great anxiety.” THIRSTING TO CO TO THE FRONT / Nelson, August 3. A considerable number of applications from both officers and men have been received at the Nelson Defence Office for enlistment in any expeditionary force. Several old officers applied to rejoin their regiments so as to become eligible.