IN THE WEST

Taranaki Daily News, 3 September 1915, Page 5

IN THE WEST

ON THE EVE OF WAR. THE BEYENS-JAGON CONVERSATION ANOTHER EXPOSURE OF GERMANY. ? Received September 2, 10.40 p.m. ' London, September 2. A Belgian Grey Book publishes a series of documents Showing-that Germany and Austria plotted Che War; foreseeing a European conflagration, yet strongly hoping that Britain would remain neutral. M. Beyens, the Belgian Minister at Berlin, learning on August 4th of the intention to violate Belgian neutrality, which, waa coupled with the hope that 'no resistance woudl be offered, asked Count von Jagow if he had no reply. Hie only apology was: "It is a question of life and death for Germany." M. Beyens remarked that the whole of Belgium approved of the reply of King Albert's Government, adding: "i'ou must recognise that any other reply is impossible." * Count von Jagow replied: "I recognise it. As a private person I understand your reply, but as Secretary of State I have no opinion to offer." ' M. Beyens rejoined: "A nation is like a private person, and cannot live without honor. Europe will judge. Moreover, you will have against you England, the faithful guarantor of our neutrality." Count von Jagow shrugged his shoulders, signifying that either the idea was impossible or else the die was cast and they could not draw back. M. Beyens' despatches showed that the prevalent feeling in Berlin was that France had insufficiently heavy guns, while Count Krupp von Bohlen'had described Russia's artillery as far from good or complete. Hence the warmakers had absolute confidence in a swift and easy victory. WHAT WILL HAPPEN? BRITISH FRONT LENGTHENED. IMPORTANT CABINET MEETING. Received Sept. 2, 9.30 p.m. London, Sept. 2. importance is attached to a hurriedlycalled Cabinet meeting, which was attended by Lord Kitchener and all the leading members. Rumor portends that something will happen on the western front before Ion" Soldiers are becoming scarce in London, and hundreds of thousands have daily for months past, been moving off somewhere. It is known that the British front in France has been lengthened, but to what extent is not known. A VIOLENT BOMBARDMENT. London, September 1. French official reports continue to record violent cannonading, especially in the Argonne, indicating a continuous effective bombardment of the German trenches, shelters and cantonments, POSTAL PACKETS SEIZED. Paris, September 1. The Customs at Dieppe seized 130(1 postal packets originally from Germany containing jewellery, textiles and silks, which had been conveyed to England by Danish, Swedish, ami Norwegian vessels and re-exported to France for their final destination, Portugal. HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. Wellington, September 2. The High Commissioner reports undeer date. London, September 1 (4.20 P-m.): . In the Vosges, after a bombardment by asphyxiating gas shells, the enemy last night launched a violent attack against the French trenches at Linge and Sehratsmanclle. The French maintained their positions. In the middle of the night a new German attack was equally repulsed.