"UNSATISFACTORY."

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11148, 5 August 1914, Page 1

"UNSATISFACTORY."

GERMANY'S REPLY. ASQUITH'S VERDICT. (Received August o, 4 p.m.) LONDON,-August 4. : In the House of Commons,. Mr Asquith read Herr Von Jagow'a (German Minister of Foreign Affairs),-.'tcWgra-m, repeating the- formal assurance that Germany would not annex Belgian territory. (Dorisivo laughter). Germany, .said the telegram, had unimpeachable information that Franco intended to attack her across Belgium, hence the disregard of neutrality. ,Mr Asquith added. "This explanation is unsatisfactory." BRUSSELS, August 5. One hundred and fifty thousand men have been mobilised to defend Belgium's neutrality. The strategical lino from Malmery to Liege is guarded, on both the German and Belgia.n sides. Twenty-six thousand .men aro engaged digging trenches between tho forts. CETTINJT,, August o. " Mobilisation has been ordered iu Montenegro. The blockade of Antivari, the sole seaport, is expected.

TREATY VIOLATED. ASQUITH'S STATEMENT. (Received August o, 3.30 p.m.) LONDON, August 4. Mr Asquith in tho Houses read a

telegram sent to the, 'Ambassador in Berlin early this morning, whsn tho King of iho Belgians appealed to. King George "for -diplomatic intervention on behalf of Belgium, who had categorically refused "" Germany's request for free passage, as a flagrant violation of the law of nations. His Majesty's Government was bound to protest against this violation of treaty; and must request that Belgium's neutrality should bo respected. Mr Asquith read a .telegram -from the British Minister at Brussels, rjuoting the German Note to Belgium -that it had declined a well-intentioned proposal submitted by tho German "Imperial Government, and the latter deeply regretted he would bo compelled to carry out, if necessary,; by force of arms,'measures considered, indispensable in view of tho - French I menace. 4

RIOTS IN* FRANCE, f (Received August 5, 3.30 p.m.) LONDON, August 4* The bank holiday has been prolonged over Thursday. The House jof Commons passed all , outstanding votes on Supply, amounting to £100,000,C(k>, in ton minutes. < ' }

It is rumoured that Mr C. F. Masterman, Chancellor of tho Duchy of Lancaster, has resigned. .Eiglity-fivo per cent was paid at Lloyd's to insure against- war between Britain and Germany.

A'Paris message savs that General •Joffe, Cammaudor-in-Chief, has left fci tho frontier. It is reported that a German force is near La Tour.

Numerous foreigners are asking per-uu.-r'.on to form volunteer corps, i.m eluding Polish miners in the northern dl-tricts.

Mobs at night wrecked shops and ree&unpts, of which Germans were supposed to be tho owners. One hundred and fifty were arrested. Tiarrt were fioiber raids in the morning, Respite threats of martial law. 1 All cafes and drink shops closed at nine o'clock.

GERMAN CRUISERS. NEAR THURSDAY ISLAND. MELBOURNE, August 4. The " Ago" has received a message* to tho effect, that, two German cruisers aro standing off the coast of Thursday Island. A Japanese cruiser is within easy call. , A Federal proclamation has been is.sued, stating that owing to tho existence of the danger of war tho Government has decided to call out such pojv tions of tho citizen forces as are necessary. Tho measure is a precautionary one, adopted in accordance with tho provisions of tho defence scheme.