BRUSH IN THE BALTIC

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 154, 5 August 1914, Page 7

BRUSH IN THE BALTIC

RUSSIA LOSES BIG BATTLESHIP BRITAIN'S NAVY READY ARMY RAPIDLY MOBILISING GERMANY THREATENS BELGIAN TERRITORY NEW ZEALAND PRIME MINISTER'S IMPORTANT STATEMENT The, crisis in Europe is rapidly developing. It is announced that the mobilisation of the British Navy is complete, and that the immediate mobilisation of the Army has been ordered. In consequence of the.attitude of Britain in regard to the war, the Bight Hon. John Burns, President of the Board of Trade, has resigned from the Cabinet. News of active hostilities comprises an account of a naval engagement in the Baltic Sea. It is stated that the Russian fleet was repulsed by the Germans, who seized a number of islands. ' Belgium has refused Germany -s request to facilitate the passage of troops across that country, and in consequence the German forces are threatening the Belgian frontier. The report of the mobilisation of the British forces caused enthusiasm in Wellington, Christchurch, and other places in the Dominion, where patriotic demonstrations took place. . In Parliament, the Prime Minister made an important statement, outfining the precautionary measures which have been taken throughout New* Zealand, and disclosing recent communications with the Imperial authorities. It is reported that a Trench aviator lost his life in destroying a German Zeppelin airship, British ships have been detained at German ports , Sir Edward Grey has indicated that Britain must support Belgium Against German aggression. Late reports confirm the report of the Baltic engagement, and it is stated that one of the largest of the Bussian battleships is ashore and cannot be refloated.