The Madison journal., 1914-08-01
AUSTR|ANS WILL
FIGHT SERV|ANS
VIRTUAL DECLARATION OF WAR
BY AUSTRO-HUNGARY
AGAINST SERBS.
ARMIES BEING Modified
Other Nations May Become Embroiled
in War That May Shake the
Thrones of Europe.

western Newspaper
London.-Austria's severance OF di-
plomatic relations with Servia is re-
garded as a virtual declaration of war.
The Servian minister to Vienna was
handed his passports Sunday. A formal
declaration of war is not expected, be-
cause Servia is not a party to The
Hague convention, which requires this.
Austria has committed an act of war
by arresting the chief of the Ser
Wan staff, General Putnik. near Buda'
pest. According to rumors at Semlin,
an armed clash between the two coun-
tries already has occurred near Semen
dria on the Daunbe, "a miles southeast
of Belgrade.
The suspension of all parliamentary
and judicial institutions in Austro-
Hungary has been decreed.
In Austria an ironclad censorship
has drawn a Gordon Of secrecy around
the country. Even now the Austrian
armies may be closing upon Servia and
launching a sudden blow, as Japan did
when she sent her fleet against the
Russian ships without warning.
The Servian minister here Sunday
received a dispatch from Kraguyeratz,
stating that Crown Prince Alexander.
acting as regent, had ordered general
mobilization of the Servian army and
summoned the parliament to meet in
the old, fortified capital city of Nish,
f30 miles southeast of Belgrade.
Sundays developments appear to
Hrnish new proof that Austria is de-
ermined to make war on Servia.
The Servian reply to the Austro-
Hungarian ultimatum was an accept
ance of almost all the impeJious de-
lmands, except that Austrian officials
fshall participate in the investigation
! and fix the responsibility for the anti
I Austrian propaganda. Servia proposed
an appeal to the powers at The Hague
for the settlement of that feature.
Notwithstanding this humiliating sur
render, which was more than Europe
expected of the proud little nation,
the Austrian government gave the
Servian minister his passports, which
may be construed as q virtual declara.
tion Of war.
While. Austria announces a partial
mobilization" the Austrian ambassa
dor at London has issued a significant
notice to all Austrians liable for mill
tary service to return home. The only
possibility of averting war at the
eleventh hour which ,Autria recognizes
TO the Austrian note and bow>to all OF
the demands. Even then Austria pro
poses to exact payment for all her ex
penses in connection with military
measures.
The question as to whether Russia
will take up arms to save her Slay
protege is is the feature on which the
peace of Europe hinges. The same de
gree of secrecy which Austria has i'm
posed has been established in Russis
also, therefore 1t cannot be known
what military preparations are in prog
ress there. The Russian government
has permitted messages to go forth
quoting the st. Petersburg papers al
considering Intervention inevitable and
demanded by the popular sentiment.
Germany has informed the other
powers that she considers the Austro
Servian quarrel concerns those nations
alone. II any other power takes 1t up
she declares, serious Consequences
must follow.
According to the Daily Telegraph
the German ambassadors at the CAPT
tails Of the triple entente-London, st
Petersburg and Paris-when asked Il
press their government to act as /;
check on Austria, replied simply tha
they would forward the request. II
return Germany invited the cabinet,
of London and Paris to do their utmos
to keep Russia in check. An oficia
st. Petersburg message says hope
still are entertained there that peac
may be preserved. The foreign minis
ter has made suggestions which h