WELSH MINERS NOT WORKING

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11148, 5 August 1914, Page 1

WELSH MINERS NOT WORKING

GERMAN OFFICIAL'S VIEW OF BRITISH POSITION. LONDON, August 3. The South Wales Miners' Council has decided that miners shall not work until Thursday. The Territorial camp has closed and the men havo returned but are in touch with headquarters. Several newspapers assert that Germany commenced mobilising on Wednesday. At fcho request of the naval and military authorities fcho newspapers ore notpublishing ths movements of troops and ships. The GoYsrnmeEt controls private wire!&ss. Baron Eiehlmams, Councillor of the German Embassy, discussing Germany's offer with regard to British neutrality asserted that since a few British divisions were insufficient to alter the balance of power Britain's armed neutrality diplomatically vvsw a greater asset to luaiico tkui Britain's joining rho «ar.

NO DECLARATION OF WAR. CABKEI MINISTER RESIGNS. In tlie House of Commons Sir Edward Grpv. in the course of ;i. supplementary statement, said that the Governmentbad jiiven no under!.-iking to send ail expeditionary foroe abroad. " My answer to the French Ambassador, that- the Fleet would protect the coast of France," Sir lfidwatvl continued, " whk subject to Parliamentary approval and is not a declaration of war." Tim Uight Hon John Burns, President of flic Board of Trade, lias resigned from the Ministry owing to his disagreement with t-lio Government's war policy. THE GEMETIATUBI.

• REFUSEDJYJELGIUM. BRUSSELS. August 3. Tho, German Minister, at, seven o'clock in the evening presented an ultimatum, stating that large bodies of French were preparing, to operate through Namur and Germany consequently was obliged to adopt measures of defence. He bogged the Belgian Government to state before seven in tho morning whether it was prepared to facilitate German preparations.' Belgium, replying, stated that, France already had' given assurance that she would respect Belgian neutrality. Belgium had too high a sentiment, of her dignity and interests to accede to such a. de.inaucl, therefore definitely refused to taeilitate German operations and protested against any violation of her territory. She. had resolved to energetically defend tho neutrality which the King of Prussia had guaranteed. Tho Germans operating north ef Liege havo not actually crossed the frontierParliament has been summoned for Tuesday morning. The " Soleil" announces that another German. Note lias been, received, and negotiations aro in' progress.

FRENCH DOCTORS SHOT. LONDON, Augufu 3. Tho Gorman Embassy litis been uotified by tho Chief of the Geueral Staff that a French doctor and two assistants tried to infect wells near Metz with cholera microbes. All were court-mfi-rti&lted and. shot in the evening-

UNITED STATES SERIOUSLY HIT. ALL EXCHANGES CLOSED. . NEW YORK, August 3. The issue of clearing house certificates unused sinco the panic <>i 1907, has been authorised liore. Although optimistic statements regarding the financial condition _of the United States are continually circulated it is apparent that the country is seriously hit by the complete suspension of European business AU-stoc* and other exchanges will remain closed indefinitely. Confveas has appropriated .-.ot-.uuu for the relief of stranded Americans an Europe.

EXCITEMENT IN LONDON. THE HOUSE CROWED. LONDON, August 3. There was intense excitement at Westminster and dense crowds thronged Parliament Square. Double rows of chairs were placed on the. floor ot the House of Commons, which is unprecedented since the introduction ot the Home Rule Bill in the 'eighties. Sir Edward Grey asked the House to approach the crisis from tho viewpoint of British interests, honour ' and obligations. He could assure the House that until yesterday tho Government had not given any country the promise ot more than diplomatic, support, Britain, moreover, h.ad not construed anything previously douo by other Powers as. restricting her freedom to decide her action in the present crisis. Franco was involved under a definite alliance with Russia. That obligation did not opply to Britain, as she was not a party to the Franco-Russian Alliance.

FOOD SUPPLY Replying to a question, .Mr Lloyd Georgo stated that the Government was carefully considering the food supply and had arrived at a decision with regard' to war risks for protection of cargoes find ships. He promised details to-morrow, when, also, lie would deal with currency circulation notes. The "Standard" says tl.at there is every probability of a Cojalition Government to tide over th''i crisis. It is expected to include Mr lionar Law and the Marquis of Lansrlowne.

BRITISH VESSALS IN CONTINENTAL PORTS. LONBO-js', August ■!. Owing to tliy strilL-e of engineers tiers is only a comparatively S mal! number of British vessels m Contmental ports m tbs aangrfr zone. Only a couple of dozen stoanierE are discharging in German ports.) The King keeps in I the closest touch trith tlio Cabinet. (special telephones have beon installed 1 euveon Downing Street- ami BuAtingh am Pnlaeo ;;>jj tape xxiEtohines from < way news agoricy arc (ixod :il liurkiiirai.'ini l'ulace. Tlu.i coiiici's willi ijv Naval'and \V;vi'

authorities day mid night, snatching sleep at brief intervals.

ATTITUDE OF JAPAN. LONDON", August' 3. Japan's prcparalue&s to fnlfil tbo terms nf tlio Anglo-JapaiKw alliance is unquestioned, but sho would remain neutral unless pence won? broken in the Far Kast. Tlio Japanese hn.ro sworn a solemn oaili that. no long as an enemy of Russia remains above ground thero can be no peiveo. PRECAUTIONS IN CANADA.

OTTAWA; August. 3. The military authorities took' charge of the Port of Quebec. Tbey aro closing the St Lawrence to navigation, extinguishing nil lights and laying mines. Tho, sailing of steamships from Vancouver for the Orient has been cancelled, as ofluers on the Naval Reservo' returning to duty will leave them without officers. > ,

CONSERVING THE GOLD SUPPLY i PATROLS ALONG THE COASTS. OTTAWA, August 3. The Government- has announced the issue, if necessary, of dominion notes to surh nn amount- as necessary against securities deposited by the Kinks. The chartered banks hare announce! that t-hev may issue bank notes instead of dominion notes or gold if conditions warrant. The object of the action is to •conserrc a certain gold supply. The Government Jias.taken .over all the wireless stations in the demitr.on and provided military guards icr them.. Motor-boat patrols bare been organised along the St Lawrence and tho Nova Scotia and British Columbian coasts to keep a, sharp look-out for a number of small German wars-hips believed to be there. Montreal Port is practically f-i-jsed, and a censorship has been established over all cables, including these 1o Australia. 1

PRESIDENT WILSON'S APPEAL. WASHINGTON; -August. 3. President ~V\ ilson ha-s issued a warning to tho United States not to give way to any war excitement, and to refrain from any actions likely to further embarrass the money market. Ho appeal to the Press not to publish scare telegrams of doubtful origin. The United States is financially sound. Ho hopes that later she .will be abk to mediate amidst a world in arms.

THE STOCK EXCHANGES. BOOM IN WHEAT ENDED. SYDNEY, August 4. Two meetings of tlio Stock Exchange Committco wore held. but did not nrivo at. a decision regarding suspension, and adjourned until to-morrow. The committee urged tho Melbourne and Adelaide Exchanges to ro-opcu. Tho latter refused to accede to the request.' , The hunks have stopped payment ot fold and paper money is freely t'i-tn-buted. The gold reserve has been transferred inland. No increase in the bank rate, has been notified. In spite of assurances that there is nothing to fear, tho rush on tho -Government Savings Bank continued. Tho bank was able to meet all tho demands. The boom in wheat values has practically ended. There is strong TeSsure to sell locally. Holders are afraid of the financial position and rtrices dropped to 4s 4d for forward deliveries, December-February 3s 1-Hd, Wholesale merchants are advocating a State proclamation, prohibiting >:• t*portation of wheat and flour during the crisis, to avoid the possibility of a shortage.

EMPIRE NOW INVOLVED. SYDNEY, August 4. In the Legislative Council Mr Wade stated that tlie Opposition would cease to be an Opposition and would do everything in ii.s power to prevent a panic. Members tosc an»l sang ibc National Anthem. In viow fit the gravity of the fcituatiou it was impossible to transact business. and the House adjourned. Mr Holntan, iu au interview, said : * It> appears to me that the limited statement o£ Sir Edward Grey really amounts to a. declaration of "wiir against Germany. Powers ruust bo either neutral or belligerents. If England U neutral she cannot undertake to say how. when ami where Germany will fight her antagonist. If she professes to say that she becomes an enemy. The German Government- undoubtedly \ull accent that situation' It- «ippcais. therefore, that the Empire now is pi actually involved."

GERMANS IN AUSTRALIA, WILL FIGHT WITH THEIR FELLOW-COLONISTS. ADELAIDE, August- *- At. -:j EMetinc; of the Liberal Dniais 'Mr Prkura, member for- Murray, who is a, G-erma-n, s.aid, ''Tu t-be Grout of ■war Germsns who lived nnder and enjoyed the privileges of the British flag will no out with their fellow-Australians and itnnd sWalder to *ljonWer with them to retain C ; is beautiful land ns a pearl of the British Crown."' Mr ilermart tlomHurii. AUorm-y-Gea-.-ial. aisi> si ticmau, <aui.Wttn.l ihr %wsk.