WAR SCARE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8682, 16 March 1914, Page 5

WAR SCARE

RUSSIA IS READY

SENSATIONAL ARTICLES SHADOWS UPON THE EUROPEAN 1 HORIZON. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright "Times” and Sydney "Sun” Services. ST. PETERSBURG, March 13. ■ The “Bourse Gazette” publishes sen- ’ sationnl articles claiming to express the views of those in the highest circles, who it states claim the firmest confidence in Russia’s ability to withstand any attack. The article adds: —“Russia’s defensive strategy is no longer passive,” and concludes:—“Russia desires are for peace, but she is ready.” SEMI-OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT. RUSSIA WILL ASSUME THE * , v - OFFENSIVE. ’ ST. PETERSBURG, March 13. , The newspapers unanimously refuse to be intimidated by the Austro-Ger- J man press campaign, and recall that Germany set the example by increase ing her'military strength. M. Sazonoffi (Minister of Foreign Affairs) states that there is no ground for the present excitement* The relations between Russia and Austria were excellent, though strained, dur-' ing 1913. It is semi-officially announced in the “Bourse Gazette” that Russia, in the event of war, would no longer act on . the defensive; henceforward she would , assume the offensive. Hep tions are completed, the officers’ standard has been raised, the artillery in' many respects excels that of Franco and Germany, and the other branches, I including aviation, are highly efficient. 1 PRO-AUSTRIAN DEMONSTRI- ' ■ - TIONS, EXTRAORDINARY PRECAUTION-| '■Times" and Sydney "Sun” Service*, ST. PETERSBURG, March 13., .vj Celebrations at KiefE led to disturb*] ances. S

Extraordinary precautions'' _ w’ere’'' taken by the authorities, A division, of iiif antry with machine guns paraded I the main streets and a military ship hovered overhead, .1 Seventy-two people wer<J arrested,! and many severely wdhn’dhd.' 1 ” J A section of the press assorts that it was a pro-Austrian demonstration, .... THE '‘BODRSE GAZETTB”ARTICLE. GERMAN AND FRENCH COlVf MENT. (Received March 14, 3 p.m.) BERLIN,. March 14. The semi-official “Norddeutscher Allemagne Zeitung” ridicules the Russian “Bourse Gazette’s’’ threats. f It states that it docs not believe , that such discussions will disturb the Russo-German friendship.

RUSSIA AND FRANCE NOT ALARMED. (Received March 14, 3 p.m.) PARIS, March 14. The Russian “BoUrSc Gazette’s’* firm reply is enthusiastically welcomed • here. It is felt that' the German menace has lost its terrors, and that Franco’s position is much more secure than it . was a. few years ago. “Le Temps” says that Germany must get rid of the idea that the rattling of its sword will cause any .alarm in France or Russia, ->> WAR \ • EUROPEAN POWERS-TO -PROr - - , - TEST. ' P BERLIN, March i The German-American Commercial 1 ! . , Uuion has protested against the Gov-1 .■ ernment’s imposition of the new wari tax upon Americans resident ini Gef-j many. . _ 1 •* The law provides that nil poreohsi with an annual income of over £150! . ; shall pay an extra tax of p.- half per' cent.- * , ' , Several European Powers intend' ' jointly to protest against the t’ax^‘ FRANCE MAKING READIh, MANOEUVRES v SCALE. T ) 1 ’ PARIS, Marc%l£ 1 - . The' naval manoeuvres in the Medl«, terranean in May are to be on * grand ( scale. s , ■ i • Eighty-five battleships -and artusers, fifty destroyers, and thirty-one thous-i and men will be engaged, and the; manoeuvres .will occupy seventeen’ days. IS AUSTRIA THREATENED ? ' BERLIN, March 14, The newspaper “Germania’-’ alleges that the Russian preparations ar# directed against Austria. _ ... “SUDDEN COMPLICATIONS.’® ■ ■VIENNA, March 14. In the Lower House Of the Reichstag the Minister for Defence, in supporting an increase of recruits, said; “Nobody could believe, however -wo , may hope and long for peace, that the iDrJlkans problem will lie settled in .. such-a way as to jireclude sudden comnlications.”

ENORMOUS WAR CREDITS. ST. PETERSBURG, March 14. Russian newspapers state that larg* and extraordinary military; and, naval credits are being discussed at a secret sitting of the Budget Committee of the Duma. An influential journal save that the proposed increase of Russian military effectiveness will he carried out despite the press campaign of Germany and Austria. > ' LEGITIMATE MEASURES, THE RIGHTS OF RUSSIA AND FRANCE. ••Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services. (Received March 14, 5,30 p.m.) PARIS/ Ala roll 14. The press points out that Russia and France have an equal right with‘Germany to perfect their armanmehts. fi Lo Temps” observes that if the legitimacy of the measures for which Germany has set an example he challenged, an era of chronic tension will be re-opened and everyone will puffer.