RUSSIAN CAMPAIGN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 67, 7 August 1914, Page 5

RUSSIAN CAMPAIGN.

RUSSIAN FRONTIER FIGHTING. GERMANS REPORTED TO BE FALL- ■ IXG BACK. BURNING VILLAGES AS THEY GO. BIG GERMAN' FLEET IN THE BALTIC. Received 0, 5.55 p.m. London, August 5. Russian foeps established contact with t'« i -i.-:i!v' along the gar.t'r portion of the frontier. The Germans, n--.;rding to a St. Petersburg message, are falling back, burning villages over an enormous stretch of country. Another message states that the German fleet of nineteen vessels had been sighted near the coast of Memel and Libau (in the Baltic Sea). Russian warships in tiie Black Sea captured many German merchantmen. KAISER AND CZAR. CORRESPONDENCE ABOUT PEACE. LOOKS LIKE HUMBUG. Berlin, August 5.

A White Book issued refers to the last stages of the negotiations. The Government states: "We worked shoulder to shoulder with England in mediation at Vienna. We forwarded the British proposal that as Austria sought after the invasion of Servia to dictate her conditions there, we had assured Russia we would accept this basis, yet while efforts at mediation were being supported by British diplomacy there came constantly increasing news of Russia's .mobilisation. This was in full progress, though repeatedly and solemnly denied. The Kaiser called the Czar's attention to the menacing character of Russia's action."

The Czar replied: "Thank tihee from the bottom of my heart for thy mediation, which leaves a gleam of hope. Even now the act may end peacefully, but it is technically impossible to discontinue military operations owing to Austria's mobilisation, but that the troops -will not take provocative action while negotiations continue I give thee my word." The Kaiser replied that though the mobilisation rendered mediation nearly illusionary, he had continued the negotiations, but what he now learned on trustworthy authority compelled him to take retaliating measures. It was still easily in the Czar's power to avert ft world calamity. Russia could well await the result "of the Kaiser's mediation.