BRITAIN AND GERMANY

WAR NOT YET DECLARED FURTHER STATEMENT BY SIR EDWARD GREY THE NEUTRALITY OF- BELGIUM QUESTION OF GERMAN OPERATIONS IN THE NORTH SEA AND IN THE ENGLISH CHANNEL WHAT BRITAIN STIPULATES RUSSIA AND GERMANY A NAVAL ENGAGEMENT

Cable messages received yesterday through United States and Canadian sources stated that war between Germany and Britain had been "declared. The announcement caused considerable excitement and enthusiasm in Wellington. To-day's reports show that the announcement was premature, although in some quarters the attitude that Britain has taken up is looked upon as practically a declaration by Britain. Sir Edward Grey made an important statement in the House of Commons regarding the British attitude. The neutrality of Belgium is a point upon which Britain will probably insist, and Germany appears to be doing her best to intimidate the Belgians to give way and allow her troops to march through the little kingdom on the way to France. Sir Edward Grey has stated *■ that he does not know whether Germany has sent an ultimatum to Belgium, but i£ so "it is clearly Britain's obligation to do her utmost to prevent the consequences " of such an act. Meanwhile the British army and navy mobilisation have beeji practically completed. On the point raised by Britain regarding German naval opera- - tions in the North Sea and in the English Channel, the German Ambassador in London has given a reply which, in the opinion of the British Government, is not satisfactory., A naval engagement between German and Russian warships has taken place in the Baltic, and the honours would appear to have gone to the Germans. It is reported that one Russian battleship is ashore in a position that will not permit of her being refloated. Franoe has sent 100,000 troops towards the German frontier, and we should very shortly have news of a serious clash between the" ancient- eMmie^. ]\ ' ' . , , German forces are now operating in Russian territory. Austria, and Servia appear to be " taking things easy " at the present moment, but no doubt there, has recently been fighting of a more or less severe character. The displays of loyalty fey the component parts of the Empire continue, and in the British House of Commons Mr. John Redmond, the Nationalist leader, evoked enthusiasm by stating that the troops could be withdrawn from Ireland, and that the Catholic and Ulster armies would protect the country.