The Continental Crisis

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 57, 28 July 1914, Page 5

The Continental Crisis

War Dogs in the^Leash" Armed Conflict Unavoidable —————— . . .:«* Mobilisation of Forces in»Austria and Bervia Russia and Germany may be Involved Britain Still Beyond the Maelstrom » i v Cable —Press Aisociat ion —Copyright

THE DECLARATION 7 OF WAR NOT CONFIRMED. MILITARY PREPARATIONS CONTINUE. London, July 24. Tie Vienna correspondent of the Daily ■fail states tiiat Austria has declared war on Servia. Reynolds' Newspaper confirms the ■ewe cf the declaration of war. London, Later, llhere is no confirmation of the declaration of war. Renter states that Austria's militai7 preparations will give Servia time to veoonsider her reply. SERVTA'S REPLY TO THE NOTE. Paris, July tit. bervia's reply accepts several of Austria's demands, including thoße regarding the dissolution of anti-Austrian societies and the punishment of officials, , but protests against the proposal for the establishment of Austro-Himgarian police in Servia. She will make a Unil appeal to the Hague tribunal.

fleet, which was concentrated at Portland, not to* disperse, and veßsels of the second fleet to remain at home ports. Austria's action at this juncture 1« attributed to the recent death ofSchardwin, Russian Minister at Belgrade, who was a rigorous Fantlavist, in addition to the Ulster trouble, French unpreparedness, and the Russian strike. No formal declaration of war is likely, as Servia never subscribed to the Hague Convention. English newspapers consider the ultimatum unduly humiliating, though Austria is justified in demanding the suppression of the anti-Austrian propaganda. Servia's reply shoWs that she is not unprepared to make reparation, and Austria should exercise forbearance with the smaller Power. AUSTRIAN RESERVES ORDERED OUT. RUSSIA AS SERVIA'S PROMPTER. BUT IS SERVIA WORTH IT I

THE TRIPLE ALMANCE UNKRQKKN. Received 27, 11.10 p.m. Vienna, July 27. Patriotic demonstrations continue, with processions in the streets waving Mack and yellow flags and singing national songs. Partial calling up of the Landsturm has been ordered, composed of reservists from thirty-two to forty-two years. The bank rate was five pgr e|nt. wh?n the Bourse closed on Monday.- Tuesday and Wednesday. / The change in Servia's mood on Saturday afternoon is attributed to the alleged arrival of a two-thousand-word telegr.im from St. Petersburg. Austrian official opinion, however, refuses to believe that Servia is of sufficient value to Russia to justify Russia destroying European peace. Reuter's Vienna correspondent says it is officially stated that Italy spontaneously informed Austria that in tl-e event of an Austro-Servian war she will support the Triple Alliance. [ The splendid loyalty of Germany and Italy has aroused the greatest, enthusiasm.

SOME LIGHT ON THE SITUATION*. COMMERCIAL AND RACIAL TROUBLES. SERVIA WOULD TAKE AUSTRIAN TERRITORY. Received 27, 11.55 p.m. Vienna, July 27. The anti-Austrian propaganda in Servia is due to the rise of the peasant class, represented by the Radicals, under If. Pastes. The agrarian interests in Austria-Hungary favored Customs and railway tariffs detrimental to Servia's transit trade. The peasant party retaliated by boycotting Austrian manufactures, and ■ought an outlet through Salonika. M. Protitch, the present Minister of , the Interior, publicly favored Servia's annexation of Austria's Serb province?; The pan-Servians also formed a secret society, called the "Black Hand," after the Carbonari organisation. It includes many officers and high officials. The agents are active throughout Servia and Austria. Another society, the Naroonaabrana, includes the regicides, whose agents have been active in Bosnia and Obrana. The newspapers justified the Archduke's murder as foreshadowing the face •f Austria itself. Servian school teachere have been oj>enly teaching the necessity for taking the Servian provinces from Austria. A SHORT, SHARP CAMPAIGN. AUSTRIA WOULD FORESTALL RUSSIA. 6ERVIA'S ATTENUATED FORCES. ONLY 120,000 MEN AVAILABLE. Received 27, 10.55 p.m. London, July 27. Austria is likely to aim at a sharp and decisive campaign in order to forestall Russian intervention and save expense, as the Austrian financial position is serious.

SERVIAN GENERAL ROUGHLY HANDLED. ASSAULTED AND ARRESTED IN A TRAIN. Budapest, July 26. General Putnik, chief of the Servian general stall, and four companions, who were returning to Belgrade, have been arrested at Kelenfoeld, near Budapest. General Putnik, Chief of Staff of fie Servian army, left for Gleichcnberg and was arrested on the Kelenfoeld railway station last night. He was greatly surprised. and said he was not aware that a state of war existed. He strongly resisted, but was eventually taken to the city and was aceonimodated at an hotel. There was a great all-night demonstration at Agram, with cries of "Down with Servia ! v

The military regulations provide for the detention of any officer of a hostile power in the event of the imminence of war. General Putnik was treated with every courtesy. The Emperor ordered his immediate liberation, and he wis sent !>y a special train to Servia. Received 27, 11.20 p.m. London, July 27.

If the concentration ia completed in ten days, the Servian resistance might be overcome in a month. It would then be possible to withdraw some troops and send them to Galicia to repel the Russian attack.

The Daily Chronicle's Vienna correspondent states that General Putnik was staying at Gleenchenberg, a wateringplace at Styria. with his daughter. The police entered the train, and knocked their way into General Putnik's compartment. Hi 1 drew his revolver, and the deteetives allege that he intended to shout himself, his daughter meanwhile »Teai:iiii2. A de-perate fight took plaoe, ami i'uii.ii; fell, a detective holding him tiy preying lijs knee on liis cheat. They finally carried Putnik out of the train, leaving his daughter still screaming at the station. General .Snrsieh, commander at Budapest, exjires.-ed regret that he was com-pel!,-d to make the arrest. Later, the Emperor ordered Genard Putnik's release.

Servia baa only 120,000 men immediately available. It is expected that she will hold the Danube and Drirga with weak forces t& delay the Austrian adrance, while the main array will be concentrated at Nish and Kragujevak. Another force at Novibazar will attack Bosnia. A RAPIDLV-DEVELOPED CRISI3. BRITISH FLEETS KEPT CLOSE TO • BASE. AUSTRIA'S WELL-TIMED ATTACK. Received 27, 11.50 p.m. London, July 27. The rapidity with which the crisis developed dismayed the diplomats. There was the greatest aetivitv in Eondop. 3fee ffing cancelled Us visit to GoodfrooiL The Admiralty ordered the lint

MOBILISATION IN SERVIA. SERVIANS PREPARING FOR TROUBLE. SEAT OF <;OVERX..MKXT MOVED. DISORDER IN BELGRADE. Received 27, 11.20 p.m. I Belgrade, July 27. The Crown Prince has ordered a general mobilisation. Tlic military have taken possession of the railways. The Skupshtina has been summoned to meet at Nish to-morrow. Tb j go I a reserve has been transferred to Nish, and the contents of the magazines on the Danube and Drina have been moved to the interior.

Belgrade, July 27. A proclamation has been issued, advising Servians to remain in their homes, and promising that the army will defend the country. Citizens of Belgrade are removing vsf iimMes. Throughout the night the roads were filled with carts piled with belongings. .Disorderly elements attempted to sack shops and dwellings and the trojps were forced to fire n volley to prevent pillaging. Paris, July 27. Le Temps, in a summary of the jServian reply, suggests that oervia accepted all of Austria's twelve clauses, except the two wherein she asked for further information or arbitration. Home, July 27. Italy has not'taken any military measures. The general feeling is optimistic. | * PANIC ON SYDNEY STOCK EXCHANGE. I Received 27, 8.30 p.m. , Sydney, July 27. I The announcement that war had been 1 declared caused a panicky flutter on the 'Stock Exchange. At the first and second calls there were excited rushes. 6ilver, lead and copper slumped substantially. Later news steadied the market, and earlier sellers were making strenuous efforts to re-purchase. Values are largely recovering, but with few sellers. There were similar conditions on exchanges in the other States.

SENTRIES GUARD THE AUSTRIAN RAILWAYS. "Received 87, 5.25 p.m. , Vienna, July 27. The Servian Minister has not left, owing to the illness of his child. When lie leaves, Servian affairs will be placed ia the hands of the Russian Embassy. The public are warned that sentries arc guarding the railway, and have ibeen instructed to lire on persons not halting at the first summons.

The banks have been ordered to pay into the Treasury the outstanding balances of the last issue of bonds. , EXCITEMENT IN RUSSIA. CZAR REVIEWS THE CADETS. Received 27, 11.55 pjn. St. Petersburg, July 27. There was a scene of intense enthusiasm at Krasnoeselk w&en the Czar ad dressed the cadets, who were unexpectedly commissioned. The Czar's two daughters were present, at the head of their regiments. A RUSSIAN NEWSPAPER VIEW. FRANCE AUTOMATICALLY JOINS (.V THE CONFLICT. Received 28, 12.20 a.m. St. Petersburg, July 27. M. Sazzonoff made suggestions to satisfy Austria, while safeguarding ServuV sovereignty, but informed the German Ambassador that Russia would be unable to remain indifferent if Servia is invaded. The Novoe Vrcmya declares that if Servia is attacked, it means war with Russia, wherein France automatically joins, and possibly England. The paper blames the Kaiser for the threatened wieckage of European civilisation, and adds: ' All eyes are turned to England, which is regarded as occupying an exclusive position .in the destinies of Euiope."

Berlin, July 27. The bank- rate is 3 per cent. It is semi-officialiy announced that Germany approached the French, Russian, British and other Governments ssfugesting that tin; conflict be localised. When Austria informed Germany of the facts regarding the anti-Austrian propaganda. Germany agreed that the position was unendurable, but did not see Austria's ultimatum. OrRKAT BRITAIN'S PART.

London, July '26. Sir William Goschen, British Ambassador at Berlin, lias gone to Germany. Sir John Simgn, Attorney-General, speaking. at Altrincham, said: "Let ur, all resolve that, whatever dangers threaten Europe, Britain shall, from beginning to end, play the part of mediator.'' A'NTI-AT'STHTAX" PEELING IN FKANCE. Paris, July 26. Slav students and others demonstrated sit. the Austrian legation and shouted. Donii uitii Austria!" and attempted to b;:i ii tiie Austrian flag. Several arrest.-. were made. I M. Viviani. Minister for War. is returninn* via Berlin.

MARTIAL LAW IN AUSTRIA. Vienna, July 26. On official decree declares martial law throughout Austria and Hungary, including the suspension of juries, the liberty of the press, and the partial prohibition of the importation and exportation of goods. Tlie provincial Diets and Reichsrath have been closed. A military censorship of telegrams has been established. ITALY I'IUKNDLY TO AUSTRIA. Vienna, July 26. It is officially stated that Italy has informed Austria that she will adopt a frieildly attitude in accordance-with the provisions of the Alliance. The Vienna correspondent of the Weekly Despatch says that a state of siege has been procjaimed throughout Austria-Hungary. ■PRO-AUSTRIAN DEMONSTRA- I TIONS IN GERMANY.

Berlin, July 26. Thirty thousand continued pro-Aus-trian demonstrations until dawn. There were huge crowds around the palace. A semi-official statement in the Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung declares that Austria's demands are justified, in view of the proof that Servian participated in the conspiracy against the Archduke and the intrigues against the Hapsburg monarchy. THE HAPPENINGS IN RUSSIA. BIG UPHEAVAL PREDICTED. St. Petersburg, July 26. The Czar has named the Grand Duke Nicholas Generalissimo of the Forces. The pupils of the military schools who finish their studies in 1914 h&ve been made officers. Decrees have forbidden the publication of information regarding the army and navy, and have placed St. Petersburg and Moscow under modified martial law.

The Zemstchina states that Russia's intervention will be followed by that of Germany, resulting in the biggest upheaval since Napoleon. The Kurier says the only respoaau worthy of Russia is immediate mobilisation on the Austrian frontier and an emphatio declaration that Servia will not stand alone. FEELING IN BALKAN STATES. Cettigne, July 20. Public opinion in Montenegro demands joint action with Servia. It is stated that an important movement of Austrian troops has commenced at Ragusa, on the Adriatic. Paris, July 26.

The Matin's Sofia correspondent states that Bulgaria and Greece have informed Servia that they will remain neutral.

tiki.;;imi watching events. Brussels, July 26. | All plans arc completed for a general | mobilisation. The noirsnaper Soir declares that Belgium is watching events and will do her duty. WHEAT MARKET EXCITED. New York, July 26. As the result of the war scare in Europe there was wild trading in wheat in the Chicago market. The rush to buy wheat was practically unanimous, and it was impossible to fill town orders except at advances ranging to nearly three cents. December options and September delivery rose 1% cents. London, July 20. Wheat cargofis are very firm at an advance of threepence to sixpence, owing to the unfavorable political situation. Thirty-six and ningpence was wanted and 36s 3d refused. Received 28, 12.50 a.m. Sydney, July 27. The war scare was responsible for a jump of three-farthings in the price of wheat, and sales occurred at 3s ll%d.