THE WAR IN EUROPE.

Waipa Post, Volume VII, Issue 339, 11 August 1914, Page 5

THE WAR IN EUROPE.

Fierce Fighting at Liege.

BELGIANS HOLD'THE FORTS.

ARMISTICE REFUSED.

SUBMARINES IN ACTION.

(By Telegram—Special to POST.)

Received 10-30 a.m

Despite German onslaughts Liege remains uncohconquered.

German submarines attacked a British squadron. One German submarine was sunk. No damage is reported by the British vessels.

The Germans hold the Governor and the Bishop of Liege as hostages, and threaten to kill them unless the forts cease firing.

The Germans have suffered defeat by the French in Alsace. ,.

Messages to hand indicate complete faith in military and naval resources of the British' Empire and in commercial circles.

The London Bank rate is reduced to five per cent, and the war insurance rate to four guineas per cent.

(Received Saturday, August Bth, at 9-50 a.m.) BRITISH CRUISER AMPHION STRIKES MINE.

the rumoured engagement between the Fleets in the North Sea. ON THE FRENCH FRONTIER It is reported that the sound of cannon has been heard in the direction of Longuy. All Germany's attempts to cross the frontier have been unsuccessful. OTHER NATIONS INVOLVED It is reported in Paris that Holland has declared war on Germany. The Portuguese Parliament has decided to support Britain. GERMAN WEST AFRICA. Official reports from Londonstate that the troops of the British Gold Coast seized Lome. The Germans surrendered a large area of South Togoland. SERVIANS AGGRESSIVE. An Austrian attempt to cross the Save on Monday failed. The Servians entered Austria at Ucalz, which place the Austrians abandoned after setting fire to the barracks. It is now officially believed that it is impossible for Austria to force a passage into Servian territory. APPEAL BY THE KAISER. .The Kaiser has called up all Germans capable of bearing arms. In his order he says: "We have to defend our most sacred possessions against the reckless assault of enemies on all sides. I am confident that the ancient warlike spirit still lives which in the past has been the dread and terror of our enemies. Remember our glorious past! God help us!" Received Monday, August 10th, 4.50 p.m. FRENCH VICTORY IN ALSACE. A French cavalry brigade has advanced into Alsace and captured Altkirch, 12 miles from the Frontier. After a fierce bayonet fight the Germans broke and abandoned their trenches. The division then advanced ten miles to the North-east and cap- j tured the important centre of Mulhausen without opposition. WHY GERMANY ASKED FOR ARMISTICE. Refugees from Namur, who have arrived at Brussels, report that the Germans are starving and that no arrangements were made for feeding the troops. They declare that the Emperor annouueed that they would pass through smiling country. Many Germans surrendered for bread. This is said to be the secret of the request for an armistice. ITALY'S NEUTRALITY. Notwithstanding pressure and promises of aggrandisement, Italy persists in refusing to break her neutrality. ON THE HIGH SEAS. It is stated that 7,000 German merchantmen on the high seas are liable to capture.

The British light cruiser, of 3500 tons, struck a mine on Thurs- - day, and sank. The captain, 16 officers, and 135 of the crew were 'saved. I3owere drowned. ' '. . GERMAN ULTIMATUM TO ITALY. The Italian Embassy confirms the news of the German ultimatum to Italy, informing her that she must keep the terms of the Triple Alliance, or Germany will attack her. GERMAN DEFEAT AT LIEGE. Terrific fighting is reported from Liege. The Germans concentrated their force and attacked ' Fort Berchot. The defence was sound, and the invaders did not gain any ground, FIRST AERIAL BATTLE. When cruising over Liege a shell from a specially designed airship gun brought Germany's biggest Zeppelin airship to the ground. The whole of her twentysix occupants were killed. Three German aeroplanes have been totally destroyed. SERVIAN LOSSES. Circumstantial accounts have been received of the first engagement between Austria and Servia. Two Servian divisions came into conflict with an Austrian outpost. After a sharp fight the Servians were defeated, 800 being killed and 1,000 captured. Austrian losses were 200. Considerable damage has been done at Belgrade by the bombardment. (Received Saturday, August Bth, at 4.30 p.m.) • GERMANY SEEKS ARMISTICE. An official message from Brussels received in London on Friday states that Germany asked for 24 hours' armistice. The Germans acknowledged 25,000 casualties since the commencement of the fighting around Liege, and in the valley of Meuse, on Wednesday. NORTH SEA BATTLE. It is unofficially stated that the German fleets have been repulsed in an engagement with the British first Fleet in the North Sea. Received Monday, August 10th, 9.55'a.m. ARMISTICE REFUSED. Germanys request for a 24 hours armistice has been refused by Belgians. A division of German cavalry which forded the Meuse north of Liege has been practically annihilated, seven regiments have surrendered to the Belgiums. NO NAVAL FIGHT REPORTED. The British Admiralty states that it has- received no report of

MASSACRE AT VISE. The Belgians at Vise almost totally annihilated the attacking German forces. The German soldiery commenced an indiscriminate fire on the inhabitants, and fired upon the Red Cross. THE NEW ZEALAND CONTINGENT. General Sir A. G. Godley is to command the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. About 20 men are leaving Te Awamutu to-day to join the contingent. Capt. Bluck (Te Awamutu) and Lieutenant Henderson (Kihikihi) have been appointed to organise the forces from this district. Most of the men going from this district are for the mounted branch. At Auckland £5,000 has been subscribed "as a start" to the war fund. Similar response is reported from all parts of the Dominion. REGULATING PRICES AND FINANCIAL OPERATIONS. Special legislation, applicable in wartime, has been introduced and passed by both Houses of Parliament. The Regulation of Trade and Commerce Bill -empowers the Governor, -by Order in Council, to fix the maximum price of goods. It also provides for the control of contracts and suspension of labour laws. The Mortgages Extension Bill provides for the limitation of . the rights of mortgagees during the present crisis, to call up or demand payment from any mortgagor of the principal sum unless under certain provisions. LOCAL REPRESENTATION. The following are replies to telegrams sent by the Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce last week : A. Young, Esq., President, Chamber of Commerce, Te Awamutu.—Your telegram of even date received, shall be glad to give careful consideration _to your suggestion re legislation affecting mortgages. —W. F. MASSEY. A. Young, President, Chamber of Commerce, Te Awamutu Much appreciate your telegram, I fully recognise that the duty of every class in the community at present critical juncture is to sink party, and to work unitedly to help to maintain the strength and .solidity of the Empire. —J. G. Ward.

A. Young, President, Chamber of Commerce, Te Awamutu.—On behalf of the Government I desire to thank yourself and the members of the Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce for their patriotic telegram just to hand. New Zealand in common with the other Dominions and Dependencies may be depended upon to do her duty, and I feel quite 'sure that Waikato will do its share.— W. F. MASSEY.