NEW POSITION IN EUROPE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15685, 12 August 1914, Page 7

NEW POSITION IN EUROPE.

BRITISH TROOPS LANDED. GERMANY'S SLOW PROGRESS. HEAVY L.OSSES AT LIEGE. JAPAN BECOMING IMPATIENT. THE NORTH SEA SAFE. The most significant news from Europe to=day is that a junction has been effected between the British, Belgian, and French troops across the German line of advance. There has been no specific announcement of the departure of troops from England, but ample time has elapsed since the declaration of war to enable British soldiers to be carried across the English Channel and transported to the scene of actual warfare. The secrecy being maintained with regard to the movement of troops and the strict censorship would be sufficient to account for no news of the departure of troops having been despatched* from England. The heroic defence of Liege by the Belgians has thus, it appears, enabled the allies to come together at a time and place which may have an enormous, influence on the future of the war.

A graphic description of the magnificent defence of Liege and the terrific slaughter of German troops in their efforts to capture the forts is a feature of today's cablegrams. The latest news from Liege shows that the city is held by 10,000 Germans, but the forts are still holding out,

The official account of the fighting at Altkirch, in Alsace, shows that the French attacking Jorce displayed • magnificent courage. An infantry regiment carried the entrenchments at the bayonet's point, and the Germans fled, abandoning the second line of work, which they might have held, Altkirch rang with shouts of joy when the French entered. Mulhausen was occupied in less than an hour.

Public opinion in Japan has been excited by prolonged councils of the Cabinet and the Elder Statesmen, and the newspapers, impatient because Japan is apparently playing a subordinate part, are advocating war. The conclusion of a message beginning "Japan has issued an ultimatum in conformity with" was excised by the censor. Subsequently the Japanese Ambassador in London expressed the opinion that Japan had not issued an ultimatum.

The Associated Chambers of Commerce in Great Britain have issued an appeal to overseas importers to renew their orders so that the population of the United Kingdom may be kept employed.