WAR PREPARATIONS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2220, 5 August 1914, Page 7

WAR PREPARATIONS

CLEARED FOR ACTION PARIS ■ AUSTRALIAN FLYING CORPS 1 (Rec. August 4, 5.10 p.m.)' London, August 3. The King keeps in closest touch with Cabinet, and special telephones have been installed between Downing Street and.Buckingham' Palace. Tape machines from every news ngency aro also fixed *in Buckingham. The King confers with the naval war authorities day and night, snatching sleep at brief intervals. Tho Homo Secretary (Mr. Reginald M'Kenna) has forbidden aircraft to fly over the United Kingdom except within three miles of recognised aerodromes. Router's correspondent at Malta states that on Sunday the Mediterranean .Fleet was cleared for action, jnd the destroyers left at full sped S3. It is believed they aro to .join the French fleet. Othejs were also leaving, while, the battle-cruiser Inflexible and the light-cruisers Weymonth and Dublin I and two divisions of dostroyers are remaining, but. have steam up. Tlie Welsh collieries, where a strike existed, are opening on Tuesday. It is expected .that thousands of miners will offer their services in securing supplies for the Navy. The Atlantic steamers soiling from Southampton aro crowded with outgoing passengers. ' Over two thousand colonials, including many Australians and Neiv Zealanders, have responded to the movement to form a contingent of colonials at present in'Englnnd wHo have served in the Matabele, Mashona, and South African wars. Mr. H. D.-M'lntosh. of Sydney, has cabled to Mr. J. Cook (Federal Premier) offering to raise, a corps of motorcyclists, to net in conjunction with the Australian contingent. Many German and French rosorvists are returning to their homes, and there is a great crowd watching their departure. The French aro singing the British and French National Anthems. The steamer from Flushing' brought many Dutch and German women and children soekirtc; safety in England. It is officially announced that'vthoro \n sufficient wheat at present in the United Kingdom to supply the population for four months. \ . It is reported from Rhodesia, that the defensivo precautions aro being commented on owinp; to the contiguity of Gpvmjin possessions. It is calculated that the daily cost of maintaining tho mobilised armies of the Triple Entente nrrl tho Triple Alliance totals £11,437,000. Continental inquiries for moat is increasing. Severn! hircto Continental buyers have arrived in London, but are not operating on the possibly existing sunplics and reserves in Britain. Franco and Germany ore withdrawing thoir restrictions against the importation of moat. It is reported there is a. possibility of Holland opening her sluico gates and inundating the country to prer.eut an invasion.

„ ~. Paris, August 3. searchlights are being ployed throughout tlie nighb' to prevent aii aeroplane attack. ' Tho railway stations are crowded with reservists.

■ The streets arc almost deserted except for the military. Cabinet lias granted an amnesty to political prisoners, and suspended decrees relating to the dissolution of religious _ congregations. . Special precautions are being taken ii) ( victualing the city. The prohibition of t importation of meat has been suspended. : Severe measures are threatened anyone raising tho price of necessaries of life.

Stockholm, Amgust 3: Sweden is mobilising the First Territorial Reserve on the coast; also the Gothland troops and tho fortress garrisons.

Next month's conscripts have been called up. . '

Ottawa, August 9. Cabinet is again in session awaiting momentarily news hostile to the German more- likely to precipitate war with Germany, which is here regarded as inevitable.

A hundred naval reservists in tho United States and Canada are returning immediately to England. The Press here publishes a report of the declaration of war by Britain against Germany. Tho cruiser Rainbow is seeking , a German warship which' is reported to 'bo coming; north from Los Angejos .with the intention of threatening the British Columbia coasts.

There is an unprecedented enlistment of volunteers, tho ]■ French-Canadians leading. . , ,

... Cane Town, August 3. Severe restrictions are beirig imposed on ship Ding in Table Bay. Permite are required for incoming vessels.

_, ' ■ Sydney, August 4. The "Daily Telegraph" says that the Commonwealth's' offer of its fleet and 20,000 men is her answer'to duty's call, which is heartily endorsed by the patriotic sentiment in Australia. '

The Federal Government is making an inventory of available private motor vehicles. ' ' / It is anticipated that the expeditionary force bo a mixed division, though the Government is wepared to supply whatever is required. M. Guillaux. Mr. Lobbeus Hordern, and other airmen have volunteered their services and machines to the Commonwealth as a nucleus of an aviation corps. , Tlio Ffideral Premier's attention wae called to Canada's action in detainine foreigners and ships-of possible hostile nations, but declined to commit himself regarding possible actioil by'the Commonwealth. ' Placinjr the Australian warships on a war footing is being pushed on with feverish haste. . Admiral Patey's order eulogises tho officers and men in all departments, for fcln>ir excellent work. The new State Cabinet has offered the States' tinrewrved co-operation in the Commonwealth Government's efforts for tho national safety. ■ There is great activity in all military dennTtments. ' .■• Tlio fortsare manned, and other precautions bning taken to, cuard all vulnerable points and services. The various unit ••■ commanders throughout the Commonwealth have been advised' to be prepared to act under seo.rot instructions. ' ...,15x-soldiers, sailors., nurses, and others ar> freelv voliinteerine for service. The Glebf! Boroujrh Council has offered all parks nnd buildintte under ita co"+rol for militarv purposes, r; The Victorian Motor, Cyclists' Club has offered Xα form a corns to serve as scouts and disnatch ridera. Tho Mnvor nf Brishnne called a meeting lOf' nil soldiers and sailors who have seen aetivo"service, so that in th«ev>nt of their servin n a . being ■'required tliey would be ■' available on the shortest notice. " - ■ The snecial war editions of the newsnnoers had an pnorrhous sale, adding la.rn;elv to the already simmering ex.citftrieivt. . . r The cnhh opHßorshiu is causing 3elay in the receipt of news. The Germnn steamer Westfnlen Tins rlennrfed coal-kdmi. She presumably intends to make 'for a neutral port. Tlio German nnd FrencK Consuls hare issued notifiootinne calling all thmr countrymen liable to 6er,Ve to tho colours. ■ . . ■ ■ i '' JAPAN'S PREPAREDNESS ("Mmes" «iid Sydney "Rim" Services.) (Reo. August 4, 5.10 D.m.) ' London, August S.Japan's preparedness to fulfil the terms of her. alliance is unquestioned, but she would remain neutral unless pence is broken in the Far East. Tho Japanese have sworn a solemn oath that, so long as their enomy Russia remains above ground there can be no peace. TERRITORIAL CAMPS CLOSED (Rec. August 4, 5.20 p.m.) London, August 3. Tlie Territorial Camps have closed, and the men have returned to their respective headquarters.' , GERMANY'S SLIMNESS (Rec. August 4, 5.20 p.m.) London, August 8. Several newspapers assert that Germany commenced mobilising on Wednesday, but at the request of the naval and militarv authorities the -newspapers did not publish the movements of the troops or ships. The Government took control of all private wireless.

MOTOR BOAT PATROLS

(Rec. August 4, 11.35 p.m.) V Ottav/a, August,' 3.Tho. Government has taken over all wireless stations in the Dominion, and has provided military guards for them. Motor boat patrols have been organised along the St. Lawrence, Nova Scotia, and British Columbian coasts, to keep a sharp look-out for a number of small Gorman warships which are believed to bo there. ■ ' ■ Montreal, August 3. The port is practically closed, and a censorship has been established over all cables, including those to Australia, Quebec, August 3. The military authorities took charge of;the port hore, closing the St. Law.renco to navigatioii, and extinguishing all-lights and laying mines. The sailing of. steamships ex Vancouver to the Orient have been cancelled, as officers of the Naval Reserve are returning to duty, and thus leave them without officers.

TO ATTACK THE GRAIN CARRIERS

(Rec. August 5, 0.30 a.m.) New York, August 3. The Gorman liner Kron Priness; Wilholni, empty of cargo and passengers, ha 3 left port, ostensibly bound for Bremen, but it is believed, carrying guns. Speculation is rife whether sli'o intends to attack shipping on tho grain routes. Many grain cargoes arc en route to England from Canada. \ ■ '■ • _____

GERMAN CRUISERS OFF THURSDAY ISLAND

(Rec. August 5, 1.15 p.m.) Melbourne, August i. The Melbourne "Age" ban received a message to tho offeut tliat two German

oruisers aro standing off the coast of Thursday Island. A Japanese cruiser, is within easy call.