Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-07-31

reinforced by numerous attachments
| from other points and a battalion of
| the Duke of Cornwall's regiment, which
| was about to embark for Hong Kong,
has been detained.
The searchlight stations on the east
ern coast, whose office is to guard
against surprise invasion and which
usually are manned by skeleton stats,
are now fully manned, largely by ter
| ritorials. Coastwise steamers report the
lights all along the coast are being In
operation all last night, playing their
shafts on every incoming and every
outgoing vessel.
First Fleet Position Secret
| None but the admiralty, which is in
constant touch through wireless at
Whitehall, knows the whereabouts of
the first fleet, which left Portland
| Wednesday. but 1t is a safe presump-
ton that the fleet is in a position
close to the channel, where it can
strike the North sea in the event OF
hostilties.
The crisis could not have arisen at
a more convenient time for the navy,
as the fleet has just been through
the place of maneuvers this year.
A notice has been issued virtually
closing Portsmouth harbor to private
craft, according to a Central News
| dispatch Only certain anchorage
may be used and vessels may be fired
on without notice if they move. They
cannot enter or leave the harbor
without permission. The ferry SER
via lr f5t,r0
Two Germans, suspected of being
spies were arrested in the Isle of
Wight today and are detained in jail.
The political forces of the country
also are almost modified solidly, pre-
senting, in premier Asquith's words
to the House of Commons today,
United front"
Home Rule Forgotten
The remarkable sight was witness
ed today of Premier Asquith and An.
drew Bonar Law, leader of the OPP
position who a few days ago were on
terms of personal as well as politi
cal hostility, driving in the same car
for a consultation with Sir Edward
Grey.
The prime minister announced in
the House of Commons that the
amending bill to the home rule bill
would be dropped for the present by
the consent of all parties. Mr.. Bonar
Law said:
In view of the prime minister's
announcement That peace and war
are in the balance, domestic differ
ence must not prevent us presenting
united front in the Council of the
World' and added a word in behalf
Of Sir Edward Carson, the Ulster
leader, to the same effect.
The spectacle of a solid front in sup
port of the government by all sections Of
the Irish members in the House of Com
mons was even more remarkable than the
reconciliation of Asquith and Bonar Law.
The traditional sentiment of the home
rulers that Englands extremity is Ire
lands opportunity was buried when the
Irish members murmured Hear, heart
to the premier's plea for unity.
Not only the home rule question, but
all measures likely to arouse party or in
ternai hostilities have been sidetracked.
They include the naval vote, which in
evitably excites. discussion of Germany's
policy, and the vote for imperial de-
fences. Nevertheless there is a strong,
although apparently a minority feeling
that Great Britain should maintain neu-
trality whatever comes.
The peace section of the Liberal party
which through past years of strained re-
iations with Germany has worked for
reconciliation, is taking a strong stand
against war. Its spokesman in the press
are the Manchester Guardian, one of the
most powerful papers in England. and
the Daily News.
The Labor party also opposes war.
Its members in the House of Com
mons today adopted a resolution prais-
ing Sir Edward Grey for his attempts
at mediation.
The resolution calls upon all the la
Dor organizations to oppose the war
visilantly.
Socialist society in several cities
cities have held meetings of protes
against the war.
The Dutch Reservists in England
have received telegraphic instructions
to return to Holland forthwith.
The Cunard Steamship Co. denies
the report printed in the United States
that the steamship Aquitania has been
Communicated for war service. Ap-
plicatlons for passports at the foreign
office this week have exceeded all rec
ords