South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-07-31
ENGLISH FLEET WILL
BLOCKADE NORTH SEA
ItaIy'S Part Remains a Mystery
as kilograms Are Not Being
Sent From That Country
People Opposed to Austria.
BY {. +. BERTELLI.

PARIS. July 3l.-ShOrt OF an ac- !
tuaI declaration of war between two
groups of European powers. the sit
nation Thursday night could not be
worse. In grim silence the whole OF
Europe is arming to meet the shock
OF war which only a miracle can now
avert.
No news whatever concerning the
military and naval preparations which
are being carried on at this very mo-
Inent in every country of the old
world, with feverish activity is al
lowed 90 be published on this side,
but IL is an indispWable fact that
Russia has ordered a complete mo-
bilizatiOn.
Germany has followed suit since
Wednesday and England Thursday
morning secretly commenced 'prepa-
rations' on such a scale as to be in
a position TO be ready for any mo-
ment her TeutOnic rival may make
All army reservists. including special
reservists, have been summary called
30 the cOlors and many regiments
are already up to war footing The
entire output OF the South Wales
colleries has been bespOken by the
war office and the fuel is now being
rushed TO the various ports on spe-
cial trains.
Takes Option on Ships.
An option has been exercised on
the occupation of the Cunarder
Aquitania. the owners Of which have
been warned not TO allow the liner
TO depart until permission is grant
ed. All the Furness and company
ships lying at English ports have been
similarly Communicated for trans
portation purposes.
At the Woolwich arsenal which is
heavily guarded by troops and po-
lice as we'll as at other admiralty
stores at Portsmouth and other ports
work is being carried on at record
speed, day and night shifts being en-
ployed. The most significant move
however. that England has yet made
is the dispatch Of her first or strik
ing fleet from Portland under sealed
orders Thursday night. l have il on
high authority that the fleet sailed
20 take strategic position and bot
tie up the North sea. on receipt
or wireless Instructions which will be
flashed directly the German troops
cross the French and Russian from
tiers. England viii move to prevent
the German fleet from getting to the
Baltic sea and thus Will starve Ger
many into amiability.
The war office has also cabled ur-
gent confidential Instructions TO the
military authorities in India. where
Britain maintains strike force of
10000 troops in constant readiness.
Italy "a Mystery.
As far as Italy's part in the i'm
pending general war remains a mys-
terry. The government has issued an
order prohibiting the acceptance of
kilograms from newspaper CORES
pondents dealing with the movement
Of troops or warships. but authori-
tative private messages received from
the frontier show that the people are
extremely hostile To Italy's participa-
ton in behalf OF Austria. .
The entire peninsula is indignant
at the brutality with which her one
time oppressOr has attacked Servia
and Will refuse TO support her if
called upon. The socialists are run
ming a strong anti-war campaign and
insist that Italy stand absolutely neu-
tral.
Meanwhile urgent orders have been
Issued TO the Italian fleet TO cOncen-
;rate at Chieta and all naval officials
have been recalled from leave. No APP
parent extraordinary measures have
yet been taken in regard TO Italy's
land forces
Frances preparations are so far
limited to absolute readiness for mo-
bilization" and military experts believe
that such preparations have been car
ried out so thoroughly that in case OF
need her army could be on a war
footing at ali strategic points in con-
siderably less than the eleven DAYS
supposedly required for such work.
Not a single reserVist. however. has
received mobilization orders So far
France l. Careful.
The French government i'm fact Is
making a special point to give Ger
many no incentive whatever for hos
tile action and is seeking TO prevent
the occurrence OF any incident. which.
however small and negligible at any
ordinary time might now ZEE the spark
10 fire the mine.
Despite this outward calm anxiety
was tense 10 the breaking point on
Thursday night and opinion in the
highest quarters here is that Europe
an peace now hangs on "a perilOusly
thin thread and depends solely on
whether the German emperor ~ dis
posed Co summon Austria 20 modeTa-
ton. The German war lord Is now
Weighing reasons for and against
Russia rushing Europe into the melt