EUROPE'S PEACE IMPERILLED

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 151, 1 August 1914, Page 9

EUROPE'S PEACE IMPERILLED

ALL EYES ON GERMANY •SHE ALONE CAN AVERT DISASTERS ENGLAND'S ACTIVE MILITARY PREPARATIONS, MEW ZEALAND OFFERS EXPEDITIONARY FORCE. In view of the crisis in the Near East Britain is taking active steps to guard her coast, biit"The Times" military correspondent holds that her delay in, ordering a mobilisation is dangerous. . . The general feeling in Italy appears to be that Germany alone can avert a general war by approaching Austria. ' Russian diplomatists complain that the discussions with, Germany and ' Austria are merely by-play in order to gain time. In, German official circles it is announced that, there was no demand to Russia as to the meaning of her mobilisation., : , . . Martial law has been proclaimed in Germany; while Italy is seeking . to persuade Montenegro to art only on the defensive. v Financial depressioncontinues tQ exist everywhere,' an£ an all-round, rise in prices'is reported. There hay« ; been heavy withdrawals of foreign capital from Germany, principally by France. The London Stock Exchange has been closed and certain settlements postponed. . ; . ? That.New Zealand is prepared to,play her part is evidenced by the of- < ficial announcement that, if necessary, -an v expeditionary force will he dispatched to aid Britain. '