New Britain herald., 1914-07-28
Emperor Francis /oseph's Troops )1ope Toward Kin Alexander's ntier--Ge1many Refuses to Accept
 B1itish Proposal for Peace Conte1ence.
Austrians Seize Two Servian Steamers on Danube Telegraph Offices at Vienna Will Accept
 Messages Only at
 Sender's Risk.

Vienna, July 2S.-OHcial notihca- ton of the declaration of war sent to Servia today by the Hungarian government.
 The declaration of war was gazetted here late this afternoon. The text is as follows:
 "The royal government of Servid not having replied in a satisfactory manner to the note remitted to it by the Austro- Hungarian minister in Belgrade on July 23, 1914, the im- perfal government finds itself com- pelled to proceed itself to safeguard its rights and interests and to have recourse for this purpose to force of arms.
 "Austria-Hungary considers itself, therefore, from this moment in 8 state of war with Servia.
 COUNT BERCHTHOLD,
 Minister Foreign Affairs of
 Austria Hungary"
 The Militaerische-R -Rundschau re- ports active movements of both Ser vian and Montenegrin troops which are in close touch with Priboj, near the frontier of Bosnia.
 Would Be Unsatisfactory.
 The imperial Austro- Hungarian foreign office declared today that even. should Servia now con- ply with hes demands con- tained in the Austrian note, the gov ernment of the dual monarchy would not be satisfied. Officials < at the ministry stated that Servia's reply had A,Ycf gary to adhere to her former stand S point and compliance by servia with the demands made on her could no lenger influence the course of action of the Austro-Hungarian empire. Refuses British Proposal. It was semi officially announced here today Austria-Hungary had de- 1Ei5kd to refuse Sir Edward Grey's aTpposal of an ambassadorship con- ,ference in London.
 ! ~sF From today the telegraph offices Tn Austria Hungary will accept messages only at the sender's risk. The Gen. tral Telegraph office here is liter ally overwhelmed with despatches, ever 12O,000 telegrams having been ! handed in yesterday when senders were notified that there would be great delay.
 News Reaches London.
 London, July 2S.-Announcement of the declaration of war by Austria Hungary on Servia came today all most immediately after Germany and Austria had notified Sir Edward Grey, the British foreign minister of their refusal to join in a mediation con- ference.
 It is assumed here that the efforts of the European nations will now be directed toward localizing the area of hostilities.
 Preparations for war proceeded on all sides. Even England's battle squadrons have all been mobilized Tn readiness for eventualities and the publication of official news as to the m movements of British warships has ceased. The first and second battle squadrons have taken on their full war stores and are ready to slip their anchors at a moments notice while the destroyer fleets around the coast also have prepared and armed guards were placed today around all the magazines and oil depots.
 Regarded as Tantamount.
 Germany's definite decision against
 
 conference proposed by Sir Edward Grey, the British foreign secretary, in an effort to maintain peace is re- garded here as tantamount to declaration of Germanys determina- tion that Austria-Hungary shall have an entirely free hand in chastising Servia unless the Balkan kingdom ac- cedes in full to the demands of the dual monarchy. According to advices received here Germany's refusal was couched in terms of sympathy with Sir Edward Grey's object but contended that the suggested conference would place Austria-Hungary in the invidious position of appearing, like the Balkan state, before a European tribunal to explain her actions and was therefore likely to increase rather than de- crease the difficulties of the situation.
 Positive Assurances Given.
 Apparently authentic reports cur rent here assert that Russia has been given positive assurances that Austria Hungary has no intention of annex1ng Serviar territory. If true this might,
 (Gontinued on Eleventh Page.)