New Britain herald., 1914-07-31


 nouncement of the resumption of the Conversations at St. Petersburg and Vienna came at the moment when pessimism had taken possession of the whole of Europe, and the hope that it might lead to peaceable solu- tion was grasped with desperation, but the news was offset later in the day by the proclamation of martial law in Germany, which was regarded as a preliminary to the mobilization of the German forces for war.
 Everybody then seemed to settle down to await the news that the great European powers had decided to en- gage in a struggle for supremacy. There was nothing to give the public hope that a general war might ne averted.
 Stock Exchanges Close.
 The stock exchanges in London and the big provincial cities as well ds those on the continent were closed owing to the breakdown of the credit system, which was made complete by the postponement of the Paris settle ment. This, it was pointed out, would necessarily be followed by the failure of some fifty members of the London Stock Exchange
 Measures Almost Completed.
 The precautionary military and naval measures taken by the British government are almost completed. The great weight of pubAc opinion here is that England must observe her unwritten obligation to assist France in her difficulties with Ger many, but a small body, of radicals continue to utter objections to Eng land involving herself in the quarrels of the continental powers.
 The house of commons met at noon to clear up the belated business be- fore it, and the king gave his assent to the bills already passed, including the finance bill so that should the necessity arise the members of thes house will be free to deal with any proposals or extraordinary measures, financial or otherwise.
 Tell of Encounters.
 Dispatches from Nish, in Servia, and from Vienna tell of encounters between Austrian and Servian troops on the frontiers, but authentic details of the fighting were lacking. Mili- tary men here point out that stories 
 that said to have occurred at Fetcha are absurd, as it would be impossible for the sServians in the time at their disposal to have crossed the Drina and advance twenty miles within Austrian territory. It is argued also that announcement that 5O0.O00 Aus trian soldiers are on the march into Servia is practically impossible and fk ;x. coil cannot that many in motion in less than six weeks.
 Americans visiting here received shock today when 1t was announced that the sailing of the Imperator from Hamburg for New York had been cancelled owing to the unsettled sit uation. There was a rush to steam shin offices to endeavor to book pas cages. but few or none were to be had as all the ships were filled to capacity until the middle of Septem- her Business men to whom it was imperatively necessary to get back to America offered premiums for herths. but without avail
 Steamers Raise Prices.
 The steamship eacompanies which yesterday were booking passages for sst gamers sailing before the annual exodus at minimum rates today raised their prices to the maximum. Tn contrast to this rush for berths lot of Americans applied at the tinted States embassy for passports 2 .o that they might. visit continental eo1ntrfes. Over fifty applications xvere made. including many from girls 3,.,,,,o declined to listen to the advice of the 1nbassy officials and were given their passports under the direction Of Secretary of State Bryan, who had given instructions that all Americans 32wishing to visit the continent should he supplied with them.
 Prociaims' General Mobilization The momentous announcement was made by Premier Asquith in the house of commons today that Russia had proclaimed the general mobilfza- Ation of her army and fleet and inscon- seuuence martial law had been#pro- claimed in Germany and a general