Austria and Servia Fighting

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 85, 31 July 1914, Page 5

Austria and Servia Fighting

EUROPEAN PEACE IN THE BALANCE Striking Enthisiasm of all Nations Diplomats Striving Hard to Avert Catastrophe

[By Electric Telegraph—Copyright] THE EUROPEAN PALL. THE WHOLE WORLD ARMING. [By Electric Telegraph—-Copyright] Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, July 30. The war shadows hang over Europe like a pajl. Not even during the Napoleonic struggle has such a spectacle been seen. Almost the whole white civilisation of the world is arming simultaneously,- and the fate of Europe is in the balance. The hopes of peace depend upon the last efforts of diplomacy between Russia and Germany. “THE DIE 18 CAST.” “ONLY A MIRACLE CAN AVERT WAR.” [United Press Association.] Lolidou, July 30. Reuter’s St. Petersburg correspond-ent-writes: “In Russian eyes the die is cast, and only a miracle can avert wak Austria’s proposal to discuss terms when Belgrade is occupied is regarded as inadmissible.” 1 i' ■ ■ . fareWellinc jack tar. BRITISH FLEET SAILS AWAY. AFFECTING SCENES ON PORTSMOUTH PIERS. ACTIVITY AT MALTA. London, July 30. The Admiralty, in a note circulated among the fleets, cautioned officers a;hd men against communicating information to newspapers or other unauthorised persons. The First Fleet has left Portsmouth. There were affecting scenes on the P Thousands of relatives farewelled the tars,' and women in evening dres* wished their husbands and sweethearts good-bye. The ships passed out with banns playing and crews cheering. Malta, July 30. There were incessant military and naval preparations throughout the night. X AII leave has been stopped and officers recalled. REVIVAL OF THE PRESS GANG. Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, July 30. The cruiser Heartsa anchored in the Firth of Forth, hut suddenly departed at daylight, night pickets having gathered crews ashore. IN ACTIVE COMBAT. SERVIANS BLOW UP A BRIDGE. AUSTRIAN ARTILLERY CAUSE ENEMY TO WITHDRAW. [United Pbk«* Association.! Vienna, July 30. Early on Wednesday morning Servians blew up a bridge at Semlin. The Austrian infantry and artllery, in co-operation with three monitors, at the confluence of the Save and the Danube, fired on the Servian positions, damaging the barracks and other public buildings. . • The Servians withdrew after a brief engagement. SHOWER OF SHELLS IN BELGRADE. A detachment of pioneers captured two Servian steamers laden with ammunition and mines, after a sharp encounter with the crew, who were in superior numbers. Shells fell in various quarters in Belgrade, causing great damage and wounding a well-known banker. An artillery duel is proceeding at Cishnitsza, four miles from Belgrade. The Austrians have another bridge in sections on their side'of the Save, which they can erect in a couple of days.

[United Press Association.] FRANCE’S PREPARATIONS. AUTHORITIES’ STRONG MEASURES WITH SOCIALISTS', Paris, July 30. European Governments have been for two years hunting gold, especially France, Germany and Russia. The Triple Entente has in hand 426 millions sterling in gold and silver. The Triple Alliance has £211,440,000; Russia over £180,000,000, and France £182,000,000. The Government is' 1 quickly but rapidly preparing for eventualities. In Paris the reservoirs and aviation factories are guarded. Manoeuvres have been cancelled. Four Germans employed at the Corbel flour mills have been discharged and repatriated. The waggons of Paris have been requisitioned and the drivers held at the Government’s disposal. The city’s stock of flour is seven thousand tons, and is being rapidly augmented. Working-class families are stocking provisions. There is no sign of financial panic, but gold is increasingly scarce. The Government has forbidden Socialist anti-war meetings, and Socialist demonstrators, who in normal times would have been discharged, have been severely sentenced. Yesterday a group of well-known aviators, including Garros and Chevillard, petitioned the Premier offering to form an air squadron. “SOON BE IN MOTION.” RUSSIA’S VAST MILITARY MACHINERY. St. Petersburg, July 29. The following army corps have been mobilisedSeventh and eighth, under General Nikstin; fifth, thirteenth, seventeenth, twenty-fifth and the Grenadier corps,, General Plavaninth; tenth, eleventh and twenty-third, General Ivanoff; sixteenth and twen-ty-fourth, General Salza. The incorporation of reserves raises this force to 700,000. Renter’s St. Petersburg correspondent says that Russia has not swerved from her determination to defend Servia. Partial mobilisation has already been, ordered, and there is every indication that the whole vast military machinery will soon be in motion. Political parties have sunk their differences, and the general attitude is one of resointe confidence and readiness for all sacrifices.

FRANZ JOSEF AT WORK. DESIRES,TO BE NEAR THE SEAT OF OPERATIONS. SERVIANS LIABLE TO ARREST. Vienna, July 30. The Emperor is at Isclil, and is working from five o’clock in the morning till seven in the evening, with only brief pauses for meals. He desires to go to Budapesth to he nearer the seat of operations. The Emperor’s manifesto has intensified manifestations of patriotism. Great ovations were accorded the troops going to the front! It is announced that all Servians liable to military. service will be arrested as prisoners of war. RESERVISTS ON PARADE. AUSTRIA PREPARED FOR ALL EVENTUALITIES. CHILDREN IN THE HARVEST Field, BOHEMIANS IN LONDON AGAINST WAR. Times and Sydney Sun Services. Vienna, July 30. The appearance of reservists is noticeable in the new uniforms. Processions in the evenings enthusiastically display portraits of the Emperor and the singing of anthems. The controllers of the Hungarian workmen’s pension fund was investing £43,000 in Government securities with a view to demonstrating their patriotism. The press declares that Austria well considered and adequately prepared for all possible eventualities. Austrian mobilisation robs the farmer of 50,000 laborers. School children are gathering in the harvest. Bavarian soldiers who - were engaged in harvesting have been called to the colors. Bohemians in London are petitioning the King to urge Austria not to send the Slavs to fight their Servian brother n. Retired British officers are offering their services to Servia,

RUSSIAN ENTHUSIASM. PEOPLE CONFIDENT OF ENGLAND SUPPORT, i FAREWELLINC SERVIAN RESERVISTS. [United Press Association.] (Received 8.30 a.m.) St. Petersburg, July 13. Reuter states that an immense wave of enthusiasm is sweeping over the country. If the Czar becomes Generalissimo as proposed, the Grand Duke Nicholas will be the General, and SukhimlinofF will lie second in command. The doubts regarding England’s support- have disappeared. Confident of such support, the Russian public are prepared to accept war. The popular demonstrations continue iu St. Petersburg and Moscow, particularly in farewelling the Servian reservists. GERMANY’S ANXIETY. UNDER THE ALLIANCE. MUST HELP AUSTRIA. OWING TO FEAR OF RUSSIA. Berlin, July 30. London telegrams announieng Russia’s mobilisation are regarded as denoting an intensely serious situation. Under the Triple Alliance, Germany is bound to come to Austria’s help immediately, as Austria is threatened by Russian mobilisation. FURTHER COMPLICATIONS ALBANIAN INSURGENTS’ AMBITION. SEEK TO RECAPTURE DEBRA, JAKOVA AND IPEK, Durazzo, July 30. The Albanian insurgents) profiting by the Servian difficulties, is seeking to recapture Dibra, Jakova, and Ipek, A MONTH-OLD NOTICE. AUSTRIA’S MOVEMENT TO CALL UP HER RESERVES. PRINTED AT VIENNA. Johannesburg, July 30. The Austrian notice calling up the reserves bears the publisher’s imprint, which shows that it was printed at the State works at Vienna, and therefore must be a month old. BRITAIN’S POLICY WANTED CESSATION OF DIPLOMATIC INTERCOURSE. PUBLIC OPINION. London, July 30. Direct diplomatic intercourse between Austin and Russia was suspended yesterday, indicating that there is a growing tension. It is understood that Sir Edward Grey, Foreign Secretary, is preparing fresh suggestions. He had a lengthy interview with Count Monsdorff, the Austrian Ambassador, this evening. It is understood in diplomatic circles that M. Sazonoff, Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs, intimated that though the conversations with the Austrian Ambassador had proved resultless, he remains conciliatory to the end, and will welcome steps taken in other quarters. Amongst many suggestions one is made in Berlin that Russia might reconsider her action if England made clear her intention to remain neutral. Russian and French public opinion, however, is convinced that England intends to support the Entente. The Czar and Kaiser exchanged telegrams yesterday. AN UNDIVIDED NATION. DRAMATIC SCENE IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. AN APPEAL TO PATRIOTISM. i (Received 9 a.m. ) London, July 30. The House of Commons was packed and the feeling was, intense. Sir Edward Grey said he regretted lie couldn’t say the situation was less grave. So far there had been no difficulties with the Powers, though joint diplomatic action had not been possible. Mr Asquith said they were met at a time of gravity which was almost unparalleled in anyone’s experience. The issues of peace and war were hang, mg in the balance, with the risk qf a catastrophe of which it was impossible to measure the dimensions. It was of vital importance in the interests of the world that Britain, which had no interests directly at stake, should present a united front and be able to speak and act with authority of an undivided nation. Ho had consulted Mr Bonar Law (Leader of the Opposition), who shared his view. Therefore. he proposed to postpone the Amending Bill till Monday in the hope that the patriotism of all parties would contribute all in their power, if not to avert at least to circumscribe, the calamities threatening the world. Meantime, the business would be confined to non-controversial matters. Mr Bonar Law said it was of the utmost importance it should be made [plain that domestic differences would [not prevent ns presenting a united ■front. He spoke with Sir Edward Carson’s concurrence.

ALL LEAVE STOPPED. STREET ARMY PRECAUTIONS AT WOOLWICH. PATROLLING THE DOCKS. London, July 30. One housaud soldiers and 600 police have hee'n drafted to Woolwich to protect the magazines and stores. All leave lias been stopped. There is much activity in the bilbo ry area. The Dublin Fusiliers, with machine guns, are patrolling the Essex rivet wall. Two anti-aircraft guns are guarding the Purfleet oilstores. Soldiers are patrolling at Newport and other docks. CONFERENCE OF CHANCELLORS. ENTHUSIASTIC AUSTRIANS ENROLLING IN LONDON. GERMAN OFFICERS RE-JOIN. (Received 11.15 a.m.) London, July 30. Enthusiastic scenes occurred at the Austrian Embassy in London, where hundreds of reservists were arranging to rejoin the colors. Berlin, July 30. Officers are returning to their garrisons by all trains. The conference to-day of Chancellors at the palace included Herr vou Bethmann Hollweg, Count Moltke, Prince Henry and many notables. “WAITING FOR WAR.” ALL SYMPTOMS OF A COMING ’ CATASTROPHE. (Received 9.1 a.m.) London, July 30. Reuter’s Berlin correspondent says that “waiting for war” sums up the condition of things in Germany. All the symptoms of a coming catastrophe prevail. The Town Council of Strasburg, in a manifesto, appeals to the people to remain calm and leave their money in the savings banks, and states that measures will be taken to combat the unprecedented rise in provisions. SERVIANS DEFEATED. HOLLAND DECLARES HER ABSOLUTE NEUTRALITY. 800 SERVIANS, 200 AUSTRIANS --KILLED. (Received 9.25 a.m.) London, July 30. The Bank rate is four per cent. The ,Stock Exchange is lifeless and one important failure has occurred. Brussels, July 30. Holland has declared her absolute neutrality. Beilin, July 30. The Tages Zeitung reports that two Servian . divisions were defeated, of which one was captured. Eight hundred Servians and two hundred Austrians were killed. There is a bank panic at Strasburg. The people are preparing for a siege and there is an exodus of Germans. . 70 : ANTI-WAR DEMONSTRATIONS IN GERMANY^ Paris, July 30. Russians are leaving Germany. Nineteen anti-war demonstrations took place at Hamburg and others at a score of other cities, RIOT IN LOS ANGELES. TWO MEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. New York, July 30. Two Austrians were injured in a fight with Servians at Los Angeles, where the residents of the worring countries clashed in a riot. , One man was shot in the back and anqther was stabbed in the abdomen. Both are in a precarious condition.’ *r SIR EDWARD GREY. “THE MOST IMPORTANT MAN ON EARTH TO-DAY.” (Received 10.15 a.m.) Sydney, July 30. i Sir Gerald Strickland, speaking at a Chamber of Commerce banquet, said that in Sir Edward Grey the Empire was fortunate in. having a Foreign Minister whose training and qualifications made him the most important man on the face of the earth to-day. THE SERVIANS IN AUSTRALIA. Melbourne, July 31. The Consuls for Austria and Servia have not received any official notification of the declaration of war. The Servian Consul, states that there are only about fifty Servians in Australia and it is unlikely that Servia will require their assistance. THE FLEET AT MALTA. GERMAN RESERVISTS LEAVING CHINA FOR HOME. CHINESE COMMERCIAL DEPRESSION. Malta, July 30. The fleet is hurriedly coaling and taking in munitions of war. Pekin, July 30. German reserves at Teintsin, Shanghai, and elsewhere, are preparing to leave. There is great commercial depression.

THE ASIATIC PERIL. POSITION OF THE UNDEFENDED COMMONWEALTH. EASTERN TRAVELLER’S VIEWS. Brisbane, July 31. Senator Backhap, who has returned from a visit to the East, states that if there is a European war involving the greater Powers, events in the East, outside the sphere of possible European action, will move with startling rapidity, and the undefended Commonwealth will find herseif faced with a question which womd tax resources older than her own. A European war was an opportunity for a strong Asiatic Power to work in Eastern Asia and contiguous countries. He would he greatly mistaken in the position if the opportunity was not availied of. THE STOCK EXCHANGES. LONDON, PARIS AND VIENNA LIFELESS. AMBASSADORS IN CONFERENCE. (Received 11.15 a.m.) London, July 30. The Stock Exchange was lifeless all day. There was fair business in consols, which closed at seventy. Altogether there have been four failures, the most important being that of the Derenberg Company, which lids extensive Continental connections. Paris, July 30. The bank rate is 4-J. The settlement on the Bourse which was due to-morrow has been postponed for a month. The Minister for Finance states that a moratorium is mot justified. Vienna, July 30. The Bourse has been closed. Rome and Milan have suspended the time for contracts. Lord Starafordham and the Russian and German Ambassadors visited the Foreign Office. MORE PESSIMISTIC TONE. THE RESPONSIBILITY RESTS UPON GERMANY. TO SUGGEST A WAY OUT. London, July 30. Reuter learns that diplomatic circles consider everything now depends on Germany’s reply to the proposal that she should suggest a diplomatic way out which will meet with Austria’s approval. It is believed the Entente will agree to any such suggestion. The feeling is rather more, pessimistic than yesterday owing to the increase in the military party’s influence in Germany, and the fear that some Powers don’t want a settlement to bo arrived at. A KOEPENIGK HOAX. NON-SOCIALISTS REPUDIATE ANTI-WAR AGITATION. ISSUE DEPENDS UPON GERMANY Berlin, July .30. The Lokal Anzieger created a sensation by announcing that the Kaiser had signed a mobilisation order, but the edition was immediately suppressed, and the paper issued a “special” explaining that it was the victim of a Koopenick hoax. The Workmen’s Congress at Essen representing one and a quarter million non-socialists issued a manifesto declaring that the great majority of workmen repudiate the anti-war agitation. The reported calliug-up of the reserve officers has created anxiety. Paris, July 30. M. Delcasse, in an interview, said: “The situation is grave, but is not desperate. Peace or war will depend on Germany. If Germany wants war, she will find the North Sea closed by the British fleet and will bo quickly starved.”