NEUTRALITY IMPOSSIBLE

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2219, 4 August 1914, Page 5

NEUTRALITY IMPOSSIBLE

PRESS OPINIONS ■ EXCITEMENT IN; ENGLAND London, August 2. The "Observer" , says •—"Beyond a doubt,. a section of Cabinet favours breaking the Entente." The paper declares that' Britain's neutrality is impossible, and would be an act of desertion.- ■'''•'■-■. "Reyholds's Newspaper" (Radica 1 ) emphatically, declares: "We must keep out of jit."

The "Chronicle's" Parliamentary corthat expeditionarj forces will not be sent abroad. Every honourable effort will be mado to prevent England being drawn into the war. .'■■'•.■

It is semi-offlcially announced that the riflo team's visit J:o Australia has been abandoned. ' / The "Daily Telegraph's" Sunday edition states 'that Austria on Saturday approved of Sir Edward Grey's suggested conference, .and added: "It looks as if.Austria desires to put,herself in the 'right before the world, knowing "that the situation is beyond redemption," .■;■■'•'■'■ ■■■ ■ The newspapers are publishing edi- ■ tions all day and' night. They are eagerly bought. There was • an' enormous gathering at a pro-neutrality meeting held'in Trafalgar Square. Mr. Keir Hardie. and Mr. ( Henderson made speeches'and protested against entering into . a war in which there is no interest. There were large congregations in the ohurches, .and prayers were offered for peace:; ~ • ' v ''. ■**■'• A steamer left Hull and recalled the North Sea fishing fleet. There are crowds in Fleet Street • awaiting the war news. A censorship has been imposed on telegrams and cable messages. The Orient line ordered the steamer Otway to await' instructions at Gibraltar, and similarly the Osterley at Port Said. Great Britain inquired'of Berlin whether, Germany was prepared to respect Belgium's neutrality. < ' Germany replied that she was unable to answer.' M. Paul Cambon (Frenoh Ambassador at the Court of St. James) has issued a statement asserting that Germany clared war at the moment Russia and Austria were approaching an* agreement. ■ ■-. Germany has declared Kiao-Cnau (Tsingtau) closed, and has ordered British and othor foreigners/to depart; : . Berlin, August 2.

The "North German Gazette" states that the Tsar on Wednesday appealed to tho Kaiser to do everything to avert war, '. . ~ii, The Kaiser immediately replied that ho would willingly act as mediator, and accordingly initiated diplomatic action with 'Vienna. Meanwhile Russia had partly, mobilised, and the Kaiser pointed out tbat by this act mediation would bo ..endangered. Nevertheless, ho continued the negotiations, ;and Great Britain's proposals wero cordially supported. Tho decision was that these proposals would not be taken up until Saturday, but. Russia's general mobilisation upset everything, whereupon the Kaiser informed the Tsar that he had gone to the utmost limit to maintain peace. It was not the Kaiser who boro the responsibility of the calamity threatening the.-world. ;'' .' . Tho "Berliner lageblatt" sa\6 it is clear that Russia was playing a mendacious double game. M. Sitsonoff (Russian Foreign .Ministar) Intentionally brought things bo a

head,, because .he; in conjunction; it would seem, with' Grand Dukes and other Germanopbobeß, wae desirous of frustrating an understanding.

Vienna, August 2. The Emperor has returned -ito the capital. Ho had a -wonderful reception. One hundred thousand ' persons awaited the train by which he arrived. He shook with emotion as he saluted, and there were tears in his eyes.

Toklo, August 2, _ Baron Kato, in a speech, saicP'that if hostilities began between England and other Powers, we ready to do what ' devolves upon us in virtue of our treaty with Great Britain. If pur allies are involved, we shall have to do our, duty."

\ LORD KITCHhNER SUGGESTED APPOINTMENT. ■ (Rec. August 4, 1.5 a.m.) London, August 3. Lord Kitchener's departure for Egypt has been postponed. The "Times" suggests his appointment as War Minister to relievo Mr. Asquith.