THE EUROPEAN WAR

Waipa Post, Volume VII, Issue 338, 7 August 1914, Page 5

THE EUROPEAN WAR

WIRELESS STATION IN DANGER

UNITED STATES MOBILISING

IMPORTANT COMMANDS ASSIGNED

(By Telegram.—Special to POST.)

Received this day 10-10 a.m

A British destroyer has sunk a mine-laying vessel at the mouth of the Thames River.

It is reported that a German warship is shelling the wireless telegraph station in Nova Scotia. All forces in the United States are being mobilised for protection of neutrality and the Panama Canal.

There have been big seizures of German merchantmen in British Ports.

The Germans have been severely repulsed by Belgians near Liege s

It is officially reported that the French navy in the Mediterranean has captured two German cruisers, and have sank a third, the Panther. Lord Kitchener was recalled to London when on his way to Egypt. He has been appointed Secretary of War.

Major General Sir lan Hamilton has been appointed to the control of the Home Army.

It is rumoured that the British have met with a reverse but the rumour is unconfirmed.

(Received Thursday, 10 a.m.) It has been officially announced that Great Britain is at war with Germany. The high commands in the Home fleets have been assigned. ViceAdmiral Sir John Rushworth Jellicoe has assumed command of the Home fleets, with Rear-Ad-miral Charles Madden as chief of staff. Britain stands for the defence of the northern coast of France and for the neutrality of Belgium. A German invasion of Belgium, in spite of definite Belgian protests, made British intervention inevitable.

The third army of 150,000 men has been mobilised in Belgium to defend the neutrality. It is stated on diplomatic authority from London that the German high sea fleet has passed from the Baltic through the Kiel canal, and is steaming westward. NAVAL ENGAGEMENTS. Ships arriving at the Tyne declare that a battle is proceeding off Flamborough Heads on the Yorkshire coast, between the French and German fleets, but the news is not well authenticated. It is rumoured in London that German cruisers, possibly the Goeben and the Brezla, have been seen in the Atlantic, Russian arid German warships have met in the Baltic. One of the largest Russian warships was apparently so badly damaged in the fight that she had to be beached to save sinking. She cannot be refloated.

FRENCH SUCCESS AT SEA

The French Fleet at Algiers has captured the German cruisers Goben and Breslau and sank the Panther, the vessel which gained notoriety at the time of the Agadir coup.

GERMANS REPULSED.

It is reported that the Belgians repulsed the German forces near Liege. The Belgians have destroyed the tunnels and bridges in the valley of the Meuse.

ACROSS THE FRONTIER

A number of minor engagements have taken place on Germany's French and Russian frontiers.

BROKEN TREATIES

The Germans have entered Switzerland, thus violating the Treaty. They have also crossed the French Frontier near Saint Marcel.

It is officially announced that the Germans have entered France near Eferry. The ambassadors of both nations have been recalled. Berlin reports that Russians have crossed the frontier at several points.

TO CUT THE CABLES.

New York reports that a German cruiser has been seen grappling for the Trans-Atlantic cables near Newfoundland.

IRISH PATRIOTISM

In the House of Commons on Tuesday Mr John Redmond, amid tremendous cheering, said that the Government might withdraw all troops from Ireland. The armies of Catholics and Ulstermen would protect Ireland, he declared, leaving the whole of the regular forces free for regular duty elsewhere.

WARSHIPS OFF CALIFORNIA.

THREATENED ACTION,

San Diego reports that the British warship Shearwater is cleared for action. It is feared that two German warships in Pacific waters are about the west coast of Canada with the object of doing some damage.

AMERICAN OPINION,

Except in German - American circles opinion is solidly against Germany. The New York Times describes -' the Kaiser as a " pious humbug."

BELGIUM'S RESISTANCE,

SERVIAN SUCCESSES,

For six days the Austrians have been trying without success to force the passage of the Save. So far not a single Austrian has entered Servian territory.

I Austria is now diverting her troops from Servia to protect her Russian frontier. ROUMANIA WITH ENTENTE. Roumania, with its standing army of 98,000, has expressed sympathy,, with" the Entente. Roumania can put 200,000 men on the field immediately. EXPEDITIONARY FORCES. Canada has offered an expeditionary force of 30,000 men, Australia has also offered 20,000 and New Zealand 8,000. The offers have been accepted by the Imperial Parliament. Received 6 p.m., Aug. 6th. The cables report that there is wild enthusiasm in Britain. There is a tremendous rush of recruits in London and Woolwich. An Order-in-Council has been issued placing control of the railways in the hands of the Government.

Belgium has mobilised three armies, and with this force is opposing the German advance with an unexpected determination. IN THE MEDITERRANEAN. A German cruiser fired sixty shots at Bona Algiers. The batteries replied and the cruiser left in the direction of Gibralta.

It is believed in Paris that she was captured by the British vessels guarding the Straits of Gibralta.

Advices from Rome state that the German Mediterranean Fleet is to join the Austiian Squadron and attack the French Fleet. BELGRADE BOMBARDED. It is officially reported that the bombardment of Belgrade continues and that much damage has been done. Many citizens have been killed or wounded. CANADA'S ASSISTANCE. Ottawa reports that Cabinet is considering the purchase of the three Dreadnoughts now completing in England for foreign countries, and presenting them to England.

ESCAPING MERCHANTMEN CAPTURED. .

It is reported in. Sydney that the Australian destroyer, Parramatta, has captured the German boat, Seydlitz, which sailed on Monday. CONTRADICTION. Russia officially contradicts the reported destruction of one of her largest cruisers in. the Baltic Sea fight. The statement says that only a few shots were fired, and that no casualties were reported.

NOTES LEGAL TENDER

The following proclamation has been issued by His Excellency the Governor, under the Banking Amendment Act, which passed into law on Wednesday afternoon, declaring bank notes to be legal tender from August 6th to September 6th : Whereas, by section 2 of the Banking Amendment Act, IQI4> it is enacted that the Governor-in-Council may, by proclamation, declare that the notes payable on demand by any bank, if then issued or thereafter to be issued or re-issued within New Zealand under any lawful authority in that behalf shall, during the period limited by the proclamation, be everywhere within New Zealand a goad and legal tender of money to the amount therein expressed to be payable, and whereas occasion for the exercise for such power in respect of the banks named or described in the schedule hereto has now arisen, and whereas the Governor-in-Council is satisfied in pursuance of the requirements of the said Act that in respect of each of the said banks which-has its head office in New Zealand the assets of that bank exceed its liabilities as between the bank and its creditors by at least the amount of its paid-up capital, and that in respect of each of the said banks which has its head office out of New Zealand the assets of that bank within New Zealand exceed its liabilities therein as between the bank and its creditors, now therefore His Excellency the Governor of the Dominion of New Zealand, in exercise and pursuance of the powers and authorities conferred upon him by section 2 of the Banking Amendment Act, 1914. and of all other powers and authorities enabling him in that behalf, and acting by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the said Dominion, doth hereby declare that the notes payable on demand by any of the banks named or described in the schedule hereto and now issued or heretofore to be issued or re-issued within New Zealand under any lawful authority in that behalf, shall, on and after the sixth day of August, 1914, until and including the sixth day of September, 1914, be everywhere within New Zealand a good and legal tender of money to the amount therein expressed to be pavable. THE SCHEDULE. The Bank of New Zealand. The National Bank of New Zealand (Ltd.) The Union Bank of Australia (Ltd.) The Bank of Australasia. The Bank of New South Wales. The Commercial Bank of Australia (Ltd.)

What effect will the war in Europe have upon overseas produce ? This is a question which is naturally upon -the lips of every settler. Assuming that Great Britain can avoid hostilities (which does not appear probable) there would undoubtedly be a very keen demand, at abnormal prices, for butter, cheese, frozen meat, grain, and wool. So far as her supplies are concerned, she draws largely at the present time upon Russia, France, and other Continental countries, the ports of which will now be closed for a period. Canada, the United States, and the Argentine will supply a large portion of the foodstuffs required, but the demand j upon Australasia will, without doubt, be considerably increased.

In the event of Britain being involved in the struggle, the demand will become even greater, although wool might not find so ready a market. The United States' proposal to place merchantmen under the American flag would maintain an open trade route, though there would be a strong probability of many steamers being requisitioned for transport purposes. There seems very little reason to doubt, however, that means would be discovered for shipping our produce, and that it would realise very high prices in the Home market.