Volume 16 , Issue 24

28 July 1914 - War Declared On Servia

It was Tuesday afternoon, 28 July 1914, the Michigan newspaper, The Calument News, had the front page headlines: War Is Declared On Servia. Austria-Hungary sends notification of its intention to start hostilities; Germany rejects Grey's Mediation plan. Ally of Dual monarchy is prepared, however, to welcome any further suggestions to localize conflict as far as consistent with its duty. All European Nations hurriedly preparing for eventualities.

Vienna, July 28 (1914) -- Official notification of a declaration of war has been sent to servia by the Austria-Hungarian government.

London, July 28 (1914) -- The announcement of the declaration of war by Austria-Hungary on Servia came today almost immediately after Germany and Austria had notified Sir Edward Grey, the British foreign minister, of their refusal to join in the mediation conference. It was assumed here that the efforts of the European nations will now be directed toward localizing the area of hostilities.

The actual cause of Austria-Hungary's decision to enter into a conflict with Servia was the reply sent by the Balkan state to the note from Vienna demanding that Servia take steps to put a stop to the pan-Servian propaganda on Austrian territory and also punish the Servians indirectly concerned in the assassination in Bosnia of Archduke Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne. The response of Servia was considered by the foreign office in Vienna as unsatisfactory, and "filled with the spirit of dishonesty."

In the meantime Sir Edward Grey took the initiative, requesting the European powers to permit their ambassadors in London to confer with him in view of a peaceful solution of the controversy. Italy and France consented, but Germany and Austria refused. Austria-Hungary in the interval had proceeded rapidly with the mobilization of the great army. The entire railroad system has been monopolized for government business and a strict censorship was imposed.

Servia also had mobilized its forces and had withdrawn its garrison at Belgrade to the interior, as the capital occupied a position too vulnerable to be held. Every war official and admiralty of Europe was occupied in preparations for eventualities, even in the smaller countries such as Holland, Belgium and Switzerland. Then today came the formal declaration of war by Austria-Hungary, one of the members of the triple alliance, the other two of which are Germany and Italy.

preparations for war proceeded on all sides. Even England's battle squadrons have all been mobilized, in readiness for eventualities, and the publication of official news as to the movements of British ships has ceased.

The first and second squadrons have taken on full war stores and are ready to slip anchor at a moment's notice. Destroyer flotillas around the coast also have been prepared and armed guards placed around magazines and oil depots.

Germany's reply to Grey's proposal is regarded here as tantamount to a declaration of Germany's determination that Austria-Hungary shall have an entirely free hand in chastising Servia.

Apparently authentic reports surest here asset that Russia has been given positive assurances that Austria-Hungary has no intention of annexing Servian territory. If true this might, it is thought, help to localize the war.

Thus far there has been no official confirmation of the reports of hostilities between Austria and Servia.

Austrian Troops Leave for Border

Berlin, July 28 (1914) -- Reports from the Austrian border today state that the transport of the eighth and ninth Austrian border today state that the transport of the eighth and ninth Austrian army corps from Bohemia toward the Servian frontier began yesterday and that there is no other traffic on the Bohemian railroads except troop trains.

Germany Rejects British Plan For Joint Mediation

Berlin, July 28 (1914) -- The German government today returned an unfavorable reply to the British proposal for a conference of ambassadors in London of European powers in an endeavor to bring a settlement of the Austro-Servian difficulty.

Germany declares the suggestion of Foreign Minister Grey is well meant and good in principle, but not feasible in practice and impossible to carry out. It says it cannot be expected that a great power having dispute with a smaller neighbor will submit the matter to decision of an European areopagus, far less can it be hoped that two great powers will submit to be summoned before such a tribunal.

Germany makes the counter suggestion that negotiations for peace be conducted between the cabinets instead of by conference.

Willing to Localize Conflict

Germany, however, is prepared to welcome any further suggestions to localize the conflict as far as consistent with her duty to her ally. The public in the German capital was very nervous today and alarmist rumors continued to circulate. The run on savings banks in which the poorer classes had deposited their money was resumed the next morning.

Austria-Hungary Not to Accept

Vienna, July 28 (1914) -- It was semi-officially announced that Austria-Hungary has decided to refuse Grey's proposal to an ambassadorial conference in London.

Russia Preparing For War

St. Petersburg, July 28 (1914) -- Russia was making every preparation for war. A strict military censorship was established. All reserves are reported to have been called.

Although papers in the capital generally declare the nation is on the eve of war, some hope is held out because of reports that the kaiser and czar have been in communication. The Novoe Wremya declares that only the intervention of the kaiser can avert war.

The fact that Vienna does not refuse to discuss the points at issue is interpreted as a happy symptom.

The workmen in the Russian capital, who had been on strike for a week, decided to resume work in order to emphasize their approval of the Russian government's support of Servia. They made patriotic demonstrations in the streets and sang the Russian national anthem.

Modified Martial Law

A decree has been promulgated forbidding the publication for one year of detailed information concerning the army and navy. The cities of St. Petersburg and Moscow have been placed under a state of extraordinary protection -- a modified form of martial law.

A censorship order prohibits the publication of virtually all news relating to the army and navy, including mobilization, the calling out of reservists, the movements of superior officers, voluntary offers of medical and and even the arrest and sentences imposed upon spies.

Another order prohibits unauthorized airplane flights near the German or Austrian borders or in the neighborhood of fortified places. Many Servian officers and reservists are returning home. The Slavs of Moscow are organizing a great demonstration.

Wheat Market Helped by War

Chicago, July 28 (1914) -- The renewal of the war tension gave the wheat market a decided lift today. An immense expansion in trade followed the announcement that war had been officially declared. In a few minutes prices were 2 1/2 above the last night's close. Wild fluctuations ensued and the rise was soon more than doubled.

Montreal Exchange Panicky

Montreal, Que., July 28 (1914) -- The stock exchange was closed by the governors this afternoon because of panicky conditions.   |  View or Add Comments (2 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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