AUSTRIA DECLARES WAR.

OFFICIAL BOMBSHELL. ALL EYES ON RUSSIA. ) ' GERMAN OBSTINACY. 'SECRET ORDERS FOR ' THE FLEET. ' . ■ ' '. ' BRITISH OVERTURES REJECTED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. Juljj 29,' 9.15 p.m.) , — • "VIENNA, July 29. Count, Leopold Berchtold "(Foreign Minister), in the Official ; Gazette, announces that Servia' Having given a satisfactory reply, Austria-Hungary finds it necessary to safeguard her rights and interests to,have recourse to force of arms. Austria announces that she will adhere to The Hague Convention of October 18, 1908, and the Declaration of London of Feb- * , rifary 26, 1909, if Servia does similarly.

, . Berlin, July 28. It is stated in official quarters that bormany has rejected Sir Edward Grey's proposal to hold a conference because it does iiot Offer any prospects of success. . - Austria an<J Russia could not consent to appear before a. European tribunal like a Balkan State could. A conversation between, the .'Powers would, Germany thought, afford a better means of settlement. . .. ■ ITALY CONCILIATORY.' . Rome, July 28. A semi-official Berlin telegram states that .Italy strongly urged Germany to accept Sir Edward Grey's proposals. :

DISAPPOINTMENT IN ENGLAND.

London, July 23. The declaration of war has caused keenest disappointment at Westminster.

It is . authoritatively stated that Austria has entered into direct negotiations withßussia respecting the quarrel with Servia, and that.it is untrue, that Sir Edward Grey's efforts have been resented. v ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Serflces.): (Rec. July 29, 2;20 p.m.) ...... London, July 28. ' British statesmen are still hopeful- of -seeing the war localised. '

WELCOMED IN VIENNA.

. BOSNIA THREATENED. , (Rec. July 29, 10.45 p.m.) . V|enna, July . 29. The news of, the declaration of war created no surprise, but was generally welcomed. . .There is a report that the Servians aro concentrating a large force .at Nosti Bazar, with, Montenegrin troops in close _ contact, with the object' of threatening Herzegovina and Bosnia, where tho ground is favourable to guerilla warfare. •

CALMNESS IN FRANCE.

3BOOPS IN camp: . ; ■ (Rec. July 29, 10.45 p.m.) ' ' Paris, July 29. The news of the declaration of war was received with calmness All large commercial houses are establishing a census staff to soo how business is carried on' if the war breaks out. ' 1 ' Th© withdrawals from the savings bank do not exceed the normal. Encounters with anti-war Socialists on the boulevards, continue, and many arrests have been made. The railway rolling stock is ready for any emergency,, and the guards at the Eiifel Tower wireless' have been reinforced. _ , Lieave to the'frontier garrisons has been France is able to put 800,000-men in tlie field immediately, and iif the field Army is utilised, tho number would be raised to 1,200,000. There is already a huge concentration of troops at Verdun, Toul, Epinal, aiid Belfort. - , ' '. & It is generally believed that Sir Edward Grey's speech implied absolute solidarity, of the Triple Entente, and has given the. greatest satisfaction to France. The "Debats" states the stake is the entire change of the map of Europe, analogous to 1864 and 1880. If France, Russia, and England allow Servia to be Strangled, as they allowed Denmark to be despoiled, they would 1 be committing suicide. : '',

DEEDS, NOT WORDS

AUSTRIA TAKES THE FIELD. RUSSIA READY. WILL NOT FLINCH FROM. WAR. Budapest, July 28. Count Tisza, the Hungarian Primo Minister, speaking in the Lowdr House, said thai what was wanted now were deeds, not words. TL'o whole country was enthusiastic and would continue the 'light'until the honour,of the nation had been vindicated, and future peace assured. ' Count Apponyi, on behalf of the Opposition, expressed confidence in Austria's action.. Parliament was prorogue'd amidst wild enthusiasm. * "DRAGGED AT THE HEELS OF AUSTRIA." ("Times" "anil Sydney "Sun" Services.) . (Rec. July Si), 5.25 p.m.) London, July 28. , "The Times" correspondent at Vienna states the entire policy of Außlria since the crisis began has been to prevent the prevention of war. The absence of warlike news means that Austria is marching three armies, each 170,000 strong, 'upon Servia, and is attempting an enveloping attack. Russia is mobilising thirteen army corps at various [flints, .md none must suppose that Russia, will flincli from armed intervention, now that Slavism is attacked.

Germany is not too pleased at being dragged at the heels of tho Austrian al ' c m*riot. Awhile the Austrians are perouettmg amongst the Servian hills, in a theatre, most of the burden in the decisive theatre falls on Germany's shoulders. The Times" Paris correspondent reports that France is exceptionally calm, though the boulevards are long white fluttering lines of newspapers, with eager readers.. He declares that the declaration of war does not necossarily involve a general European war.' "We nave reason to believe that Germany has given more proofs of her desire for peace than lias yet become known." GERMANY CANNOT SHIRK. IF RUSSIA MOVES. • ' mt , , . Berlin, July 28. • me declaration of war has intensified the apprehension. It has been announced that even a partial mobilisation ill Russia would cause immediate mobilisation in Germany, which nothing would hold back. ' / • There JiaS'-beeii considerable movements of Russian troops on the frontier. Cavalry pioneers, artillery, .. and M y o regiments of infantry have occupied the frontier station of Wirbailen. Troop's ar «,also occupying the roads. , German Uhlans have occupied the Eydtfcuhnen station. MERE SPECULATION. . : IF AUSTRIA GOES TOO FAR. ■ (Rec. July 29 lliS p.m.) ™ ~ ' London, July 29. ljie Daily Telegraph's" Paris correspondent points out .that Russia may bo inclined to forbear, but if Austria .goes beyond a certain point Russia must invade GaliCia, with the Rumanians attacking next door. Germany would then a swift dash and annihilate the GerViolently attack France in the hope to profit by Russia's slow mobilisation. Finally, the British Fleetr" would make a . swift wash and annihilate the German Fleet._ The "Daily Chronicle" estimates that the Austrian arnijj against Servia is only 160,000, as nine army corps are tied up on the Russian frontier, where they have been on a war footing since the Balkan, wars. . - N PATROLS EXCHANGE . *London, July 29. i ( Mr. Martin Donohoe, special correspondent # for. the. "Daily Chronicle," telegraphing from bemhn, Hungary, on•'l'uesdajy says that no ..hostilities have yet occurred, except an exchange of snots between ' patrols. on the Riverß i/iimibe ana wive. SERVIAN STEAMER CAPTURED. m . Belgrane, July 28. Ihe Atisinans captured., the Servian .Btearaer Delgrad': on tho Danube, aiid detained the pusiengoris, They also- seized a number barges , filled with contraband. , i . / AUSTRIAN GUNS DOMINATE BELGRADE. ' ' Rec. July 29, 9.15 p.m.) London, July 29. Mr. Martin Donohoe further reports that tho 'legislative body is sitting at Nish, and Jias called all able-bodied Servians to the colours, irrespective of age.-All-business is suspended in Belgrade. The banks, offices, and hotels are closed, and all foreign residents have left Belgrade.. . • There is no sign of the Servian Army. Search parties hav.e been out and have failed to locate it. . Belgrade is now dominated by Austrian guns, which could put the Servian Artillery out of action' the first day. THE PROBABLE TACTICS: AUSTRIAN DISPOSITIONS. (Rec. July 29, 11.5 p.m.) \ e London, July 29. "The Times" military . correspondent says Austria is mobilising twenty-one divisions against Servia, of which the Twelfth Corps has been designed as a covering force against Rumania. The other threo armies, commanded by Generals l'otiorekt, Von F rank, and Von Auffenberg, will probably attempt an enveloping attack upon' Nish and ICragujevatK, tho Landsturm divisions protecting the communications. The right army will probably advance from Serajevo and Uvatz eastwards, and, central from Semlin southeastwards ; the left army going up, tho Moravia Valley. Each army is sufficiently strong to offer stout resistance to the bulk of the Servian Army. General Conrad Von Hoetzendorfb is probably in supreme command, and General Paulohitch temporarily Chief of the Servian General Staff. .FIG TIT INC! AT DRJNA. MANY KILLED AND WOUNDED. (Rec. July.29, 11.55 p.m.). Berlin, July 29. The "Vossisten Zeitung' reports fighting at Drina. • The Servians forced a passage at many places, but many were killed and wounded 'Further south the Servians pushed their pickets to I'riboj, in Novibazar, where they came in contact wilh the Montenegrins. King Nicholas Mid , his Government Vve none to Padogoritsa,

BRITAIN ON THE ALERT.

SECRET MOVEMENTS OF THE FLEET. . HURRIED MOBILISATION. > m, London, July 28. V ~° Admiralty has discontinued publishing details of tlie official disposition ot ships and .the giving of the moveof tho fleet at Homo and abroad. . Ihero is great activity at Portsmouth, steady drafting of_ men from tho barracks to tho fleet is going oii. ■ The naval arsenals are strongly guarded. "Times" and Sydney "Gun" Scrrlflea. (Rec. July 29, 2.25 p.m.) London, July 29. The disposition of the destroyers, submarines, and aircraft is being alter ed, and the actual positions are being kept secret. Arrangements have been made for the protection of magazines, oil reserves, wireless stations, shipyards, and coal depots generally. Precautionary measures of a wido scope are being taken. ; GERMAN PREPARATIONS. (Reo. July 29, 11.30 p.m.) . Berlin, July . 29. Despite denials, it is palpable that far-reaching precautionary dispositions of troops are in progress. The military Zeppelin " lias been dispatched -to Posen. The fleet has been ordered to return to Kiel.

LATEST NEWS

WILD EXCITEMENT IN ST. PETERSBURG BRITISH EMBASSY CHEERED I •, 1 v RUSSIA PREPARED TO ACT (Rec. July 29,11.30 p.m.) St. Petersburg, July 29. Austria's declaration of war was niade publicly known lato in the evening. Many thousands cheered tho announcement wildly through the main streets, and made friendly demonstrations outsido the British Embassy and elsewhere. . A strong opinion prevails that in the event of war England will actively support Russia and France.. Russia has accepted the • principle of Sir Edward Grey's proposal, but at the same time desires to continue her direct exchanges of views with Austria. Generally, it, is believed that orders have been giveii to mobilise thirteen army corps. A telegram from Odessa states that all lights have been extinguished along the Russian Black Sea coast, except at Sevastopol, where the harbour is closed to all except Russian warships. The "Morning Post's" special correspondent at St; Petersburg says .that Germany instill regarded as the worst omen. Merchants in Moscow have opened * fund to assist Servia, and many volun' teers are offering for Servian servioo. Russia's stook of hoarded gold is unprccedently large. It is considered that Russia is better' ablo to stand the strain of a war than any other , country. '' " High commands have gone to their field troops. It is already • decided that Russian opinion is the only hope of preventing a conflagration, and combined efforts are being niade by tho Powo'rs to cheok Austria's progress after the capture of Belgrade. It is positively stated that Russia wil| take tho field the moment Austria crosses the' Servian border.

AUSTRIA'S WAR PLANS

THE ONE CHANCE OF AVERTING THE CONFLAGRATION London, July 29. It is not expeoted that Austria will be ready for operations in tho field before tho end of the week. It is believed the objept is to qapture • the Servian artillery, and reduce the army to inoffensive proportions.- The reduction of Servia to political servitude would be moro advantageous to Austria tlmn the re'-occupfction of Novi Bazar, as this would compel Austria to give Italy territorial compensation, though sho may seize Mount Lovchen, which commands' Cattaro. It is suggested that Austria may be content to temporarily occupy Belgrade,' and then accept the intervention, such as Sir : Edward Grey .has proposed. If Austria promises not to encroach on-Servian territory, Russia might be persuaded not to intervene.

MONEY MARKETS UNSETTLED

PANIC IN WHEAT PITS. FRANTIC DEMANDS FOR NEWCASTLE COAL. Lontion, July 28. The Stock Exchange opened nervously. Consols are at £71155. The money market is unsettled. Short loans are at 2£ per cent.; the discount price for bills is fair. The Stock Exchange is rather less uervy, but all departments aro weak. There has been one unimportant failure. Imperial Consols closed at £71 15s. Debenture stocks are unchanged. PANIC ON STOCK EXCHANGE. MANY FAILURES FEARED. (Rec. July 29, 11.5 p.m.) London, July 29. _ The flood of Continental sales continued on the Stock Exchange, which closed before the declaration of war was knojvn, and Rio Tintos opened at £61 and closed at £SG, and later, in street dealings, at £54. Canadian Pacifics closed. at £176 10s., but {here was a sensational fall' in the street, after the declaration of war was known, they were lit- £163, without meeting buyers. Failures' are feared. The underwriters are doing a large business.in war rinks at 15 to 20, guineas per cent, against Britain, Friince, Germany, and Russia being involved in tlio war for six' months. . . RUN ON SAVINGS BANKS. Berlin, July 28. There lias been a further run on-the savings banks owing to wild war rumours. HEAVY GOLD SHIPMENTS. . Now York, July 28. New York Ims been shipping enormous supplies of gold for Europe. Four millions ttarliup worth lias bloii sent --•nee the 23rd wstant.

GAMBLING IN WHEAT. Chfoago, July 28. There .was wild excitement in the wheat pit, excited and perspiring brokers shouting frantically and struggling to transact business. They sold aiid bought wheat at a rate of £20,000 each minute. The markets rose three cents upon t : lio declaration of war, wild fluctuations following another vise of three cents immediately succeeding. BEGGING FOR COAL. London, July i2B. Tlie Newcastle coal market is receiving orders for coal from Germany and Russia, who are begging merchants to speed up tho contracts. ' AUSTRALIAN MARKETS AFFECTED. (Rec. July 29, 8.30 p.m.) Sydney, July 29. The receipt of tlio news of-the actual declaration of war severely affected all Stock Exchanges. The motal sections were very weak, with heavy selling at materially reduced prices, especially copper and lead shares,, and investment stocks suffered in a lesser degree. The wheat market is strong, and buyfreely offered 4s. Id. a Inishel, but sellers refused to quote or do business, anticipating a further material rise. NEW ZEALAND WHEAT ADVANCING. Ashburton, July 29. The "Ashburton Guardian" states that the war scare in Europe has had an cffect on t'lio local wheat . market, which, in sympathy with the Australian market, has hardened this week by l jd. ,after having been dormant for the last month. Growers are not likely^to bo affected, however, as fully 80 per cent. i 6 now in tho merchants' hands. " AMERICAN MARKETS. (Rec. July 29, 10.30 p.m.) . New York, July 29. ' As a result of the war news, conditions approaching a-panic exist on.'the Stock Exchange. Leading stocks lost ten to fifteen points in a few minutes, The foreign exchange rates have demoralised many brokers, who are declining to deal. The produce markets chronicled sharp advances, but cotton futures 'fell rapidly, and. the conditions resemble the great panie.of 1907. The gold shipments to Europe this year are over twenty million sterling, which is believed to be a record. There is a possibility that gold will be scaled as contraband, and increased insurance will be paid on all vessels excepting American.

GRAVE FINANCIAL CRISIS.

FEARED IN GERMANY. (Rec. July' 29, 11.30 p.m.) Berlin, July 29. There is a grave possibility of a financial crisis.' Scores of speculators are unable to maintain margfns, and are dumping enormous blocks of stock ,on the market. The ''bears" are taking advantage of the situation. The bankers in Berlin accordingly conferred before the opening of tho Bourse, with a view of supporting standard stocks 4 by means of a joint account, all the tanks sharing in the losses or profits proportionately. . The run oil the savings banks continues, though they are only paying out 160s. monthly, which the statute requires, and no bank- i? paying more than 10 per <.ent. in gold. ■ • •" ■ There is a wholesale withdrawal of Russian funds, from German banks, which is accentuating the crisis.

SOCIALISTS ACTIVE

ORGANISING A GENERAL | STRIKE 1 , ■ - ... i, EMBASSIES BARRICADED. "Times" and Sydney "Sun." Services, . Romo, July 28. The International Socialists are discussing proposals for (organising a general strike in France and Germany in the event of these countries fighting. Italians resident in Germany have been ordered to return to Italy. TO AVOID WAR. "Times" and Sydney "Sua" Ecrrtcca. (Rec. July 29, 5.25 p.m.) Paris, July 28. The Socialists are holding demonstrations and demanding the Government bo exort pressure on Russia to avoid war. EMBASSIES IN DANGER. . St. Petersburg, July 28. The late strikers are indulging in demonstrations with national ardour. The police, were compelled hurriedly to commandeer cabs and carts for protective barriers at the Austrian and German Embassies. < •PEOPLE ASKED. TO AVOID DIS- • PLAYS OF ENMITY. St. Petersburg, July 28. On official communique commends the patriotism displayed by the Government, and exhorts the people not to display enmity aga'inst the Powers with whom Russia wishes ( to remaiti at peace. . The newspapers regard Servia's replyto Austria as adequate.

MARINE INSURANCE

WAR RATES IN FORCE. - , Melbourne, July 29. The Marine Underwriters' Association has been advised' of the following extra war nites on steamers to ana from the United Kingdom and tho Continent, via Suez:—Uutwards, os. per cent.; homewards/British owned 7s. (3d. per cent., other (excopt Austrian and Russian) 10s. per cent.; Austrian and Russian,' Ms. per cent. The rates will bo. chargeable daily. No forward contracts will be made. RATES TO NEW ZEALAND. Mr. O. R. Bendall, president of the Marine Council of the New Zealand Underwriters' Association, received a cablegram from the London Institute (tho associated body of marine underwriters), quoting the war rates of marine insurance. They are as follow: — By British, ships outwards to New Zealand, . via Suez Canal, 15s. per cent. ; homewards'from New Zealand by British ships, via Suez Canal, 17s. 6d. per centr-; homewards direct, 10s. per cent.; and by other ships, 20s. per cent. Austrian and Russian rates are to be fixed from day to day. The usual rates are 6d. per cent.; homewards to United Kingdom and Mediterranean ports, Is. per 'cent. The war rates come into operation at -olice, automatically, on the outbreak of war. THE TELEGRAPHS. Borne further advises tho Telegraph Department that private telegrams lor or in transit through Austria ,or Hungary must be written in German, French, English, or Italian, and are accepted only at sender's risk. Commercial marks and terms and military news are not admitted in privato telegrams. The direst telegraph lines between Austria and Montenegro are disconnected. All telegraphic communication between Hungary and Servia is suspended.

THE RUSSIAN ARMY

VASTLY-IMPROVED IN -RECENT YEARS. Sir. J. Ellis Barker,'" writing in the Fortnightly Review," deals lucidly with the development and progress made'by the Russian army, which is now Tegarfcd as n menace to Germany. The'following is an extract from the acticle :— The Russian Army, which hud been mismanaged during maiiy years, has of late been greatly improved, partly because the Japanese defeat has given Russia', a rude and wholesorife awakening; partly because her great prosperity has enabled Russia to spend enormous snips lipon her army and navy. The cost of living has greatljr increased tho world over, principally in consequence of the great rise in the prices of foodstuffs aridof raw materials, and Rtlssia, being chiefly a. producer of foodstuffs and raw'materials, has been greatly benefited by that rise. That may be seen ■ from tho great increase in the value of her foreign «,?' by the notable improvement of the Eussian Budget. iit, In 1910 Russia's expenditure on her army was ,£52,500,000, and on ller- navy .£9,800,000, together 1 i!G2,300,000; in, 191:) the expenditure on.the army 'was X6iWo>000, and on the navy together e ,? -J' 0 <£87,600,000, or an increase of j£20,300,000 as compared with-1910. Tho increase is truly startling, but it should henceforth exceed .£100,000,'000 per year, in view of the enormous increase In the peace strength of the Russian Amy. Ihe Russian officers have worked very hard since the Japanese War. Tho great progress of the Russian Armv is'particularly noticeable in the techfiic&l cervices, in which the Russians were hitherto weakest. According to the"-French- authorities, Russia occupies,,.the second rank in aviation. ' She intends building 100 aeroplanes during the present year. Ihe effective peace strength of the RusBian Army is 1.385,000 men, and it is proposed that this enormous number should be increased by 150,000 men.

Russia Dangerous to Germany. _ Russia has become more dangerous to bermany than aha was in farmer times, because she has lost her former megalon!an!?,. 1 .' ler complacent belief in her invincibility, which caused her to fritter away her strength in Asia and to neglect her Western frontier, where alone she Is vulnerable, to the despair of General luiTopatlnn and other leading soldiers, ltussia has wisely abandoned the Pacific. She is satisfied to rule the Black Sea,' c 1 IS . buil , din K throe Drednoughts or 23,000 tons, and she intends concentrating her naval efforts upon the Baltic, where she is completing four Dreadnoughts of 23,000 tons, armed with twelve B-weh guns, arid has laid down four hupe battle-cruisers of 32,2000 tons, armed with lime 14-inch guns. .The Russian Army is supposed to have a very excellent modern artillery, and it is being supplied with a new rifle since 1913, In mo Russia effected a most. important redistribution of her troops, with a view to accelero/ing their mobilisation, increasing tlieiv efficiency, and protecting herseif against a surprise attack.. Formerly a large part of hsr army was concentrated in the .frontier fortresses, where the mobilisation was to-take place jj, case of war. However, jn view of the fact thay distances are great :in Russia", and that railways are few and slow, Rnsi sia s mobilisation takes much longer than that of Germany, Hehco the danger was great that a mobilised German Army mieht have attacked. the Russian Army before it had completed its i mobilisation, and that Russia, being attacked unprepared, might be defeated by Germany in the same way in which the. French surprised and defeated in' 2 tllc Germans, and the Turks by ■ the Bulgarians in the recent war. In both cases disaster was caused by the fact that an unready army was too slow'V mobilised too ncKir the frontier. In •w?w of of a sudden attack, the Russian line of mobilisation has been draivn so far back from the German frontier that an advancing German Army will lose the advantage of its more rapid mobilisation, for it will find t'he Russian Army fully mobilised and ready for battle by the time it has covered tho disKj,nc6'separating the German frontier, from the line marking the points of assembly of tho Russian Army. Moreover, Russia is endeavouring to accelerate' her mobilisation, and to quicken the transport of her "mobilised troops towards the German frontier by improving' her raik. ways. If we allow forty trains on doubb lines, an'd twenty trains per' day on single ones, and estimating the average speed of trains at fifteen miles per hour, it appears that- an army corps, which. can be shipped in 120 trains, reQuires three days for advancing to fee frontier on a double line of railways and six days for advancing to the frontier on a single lino. Ifwe calculate the capacity of ,the Russian railways,'on this, basis, we find four 'army corps concentrated in tfilna can reach the German frontierin twenty davs; that the hve army corns concentrated in Warsaw can reach the German frontier in thirty days, and that t!he four/army corps ot the bt. Petersburg district can reach the German frontier in thirty-four , or thirty-five days.' In other words, Russia can attack Germany with thirteen' army cornsVtive weeks after tho beginning of her mobilisation, and can, at the: same iinie, direct her twelve army corps of the Kieff," Moscow, and Kasan districts towards-tih© frontier of Austria-Hungary. v During those five, weeks much may, of course, have happened between Germany and' France. Geriiiany is strengthening very greatly her fortresses on the Russian frontier. - Apparently it is her plan to act on the defensive'in the east, to destroy, the armies of France as rapidly as possible, and, then to hurl lipr entire army at Russia! Russia remains a slowly' moving colossus'until her railway systein is »reatly improved,'and s<he intends J&rpideting her strategical railways' as rapidly'' as possible. THE AUSTRIAN ARMT. ■ — : sr.: •A PESSIMISTIC VIEW.' When the last- mail left Europe tliu prospect of intervention in--Albania was causing some discussion of (Austrian and, Italian military strength. It was pointed out that Italy has been crippled by the recent campaign in Tripoli and .by disorders at home, so that her'army would be scarcely able to take the field in full strength. The condition of the Austrian Army is deplorable if we may believe the "Reichspostr' (Vieriha), an organ which represents the higher military circlfes of tli-) country. In this authoritative.paper we read: '"The Austrian Army has fallen upon evil days. The condition of th© infantry in- the Austro-Hungarian forces may be called melancholy.. For tho past twenty years the personnel of the modernised oorps in field and heavy artillery, the technical departments, and the handlers of machine guns have been chosen from the infantry. The plight of the army may be guessed when we learn that no recruits oft'fir themselves-for these new branches of the army. Things haye reached such a pitch that the Austrian infantry company has a roll-call of barely SO. In Germany and France the company numbers over- 160, in Russia' over 170, although the frontier troops aro much stronger, company for company. A company of between 70 and 80 men can neither bo trained for active warfare, iior can .the officers learn from handling their commaiul the technical skill ilecossary for leadership." GERMANY AND THE TRIPLE ENTENTE. AN ATTACK ON PRESIDENT POINCARE. . _ Professor Theodor Shiemann, who enjoys the unique position of beintf the confidential adviser of the Kaiser on foreign matters, delivers, in the course' of' his weekly article in the "Kreuz Zeitun»,"on June 2-1. an extraordinary attack on Prcsident Poincare as an enemy of peace. He says: "Although it cannot be disputed that M. Poincare in all lie turns his attention to has been unfortunate, he has succeeded this time. He has understood how to -bring the Minister for 'Foreign Affairs into the oath of- the Presidential policy, that is, the policy of an Imperialistic tendency which must 600 ncr or later of necessity lead Europe into war. He feeds French chauvinism with Russian liute of Germany, and devotes all his efforts towards drawing England into a combination in which no party will be its own master. "We fear that it mn ( y be said in reply that, we estimate President Poincare too highly. That is not at all the case.. We know very well that he is only "an instrument, but still he is an instrument which asserts itself in its place. He 15 the only man in France who is quito certain of remaining in office seven years, and who, therefore, is more liable to bo

influenced than any other: By Trhom >•-S this influence is exercised it is scarcely necessary to say... We are thinking of M. • Izvolsky, whose determinative in- • fluence on the general policy of Europe is greater than is generally supposed. In ; France he controls the Nationalist Press. . the Quai d'Orsay, and the President, and since—a wise choice—London . lias been made tho apparent centre of tlie policy of the Triple Entente, through the directions given, to M. Paul Cambon and Count Benckendorlf his influence penetrates also into the Foreign Office." . AUSTRIAN RE3ERVISTS IN • AUCKLAND. (By Telegraph-Press Association.) , Auckland, July 29. . ! So far there has been no response to 1 tho Austrian- Consul's summons to reservists. There are about four thousand Austrians on the Northern gumfields. The time that lias elapsed is insufficient i for tlio summons to, be widely pub- ' lished. - i ' :