New Britain herald., 1914-07-31
Germany Pocms Martial Law and Prohibits Publication of News of Moveme of Forces and War Material Conversations" Resumed By Russia and AustiaFmgar.
Photographic Communication Be. es tween France and Germany
 Interrupted

1nOD1llZatlOn or Germany $ IOTces would follow.
 A Central News despatch from Paris says telephonic communication between France and Germany has been interrupted since o'clock this afternoon.
 Conversations Resumed.
 It was officially announced here to- day that "Conversations' had been resumed between the Russian and Austro- Hungarian governments.
 These conversations are being carried on in St. Petersburg and Vienna simultaneously, and the fact aroused another flicker of hope in London that the opportunity for mutt ual explanation may form a start ing point toward an improvement in the situation.
 A report stating that Prince Henry of Prussia had gone to St. Peters burg was regarded as a strongly fa vorable sign, as Emperor Williams brother is believed to have more in fluence over the emperor of Russia that any one else.
 State of War Proclaimed.
 A despatch from Berlin to Reuters
 
 of war has been proclaimed in Ger many.
 The state of war" proclaimed in Germany means in other words, mar tial law under which the military au- thorities take charge of the situation in conformity with paragraph 6S of the constitution of the German em- pire. The kingdom of Bavaria, how ever, is excluded from the operation of todays proclamation and will have to issue similar decree, if it desires to do so, as it is an independent king- dom.
 Today's proclamation was signed by the German emperor as king of Prus- sia.
 Scrvians Defend Pass.
 An Exchange Telegraph 'company's despatch from Nish, Servia via Sa- loniki says that up till last night the Austrian invaders at Semendria had not succeeded in forcing the pass held by, the Servian troops, possession of which would give them access to the Morava river valley and thus open Up a direct road to Nish.
 Another dispatch from Nish to the Exchange Telegraph company says desperate fighting continues along the river Drina. Both Austrians and Servians have sustained heavy losses. The Austrian divisions after fighting f1ercely all day failed to force the dehle leading to Plevlie and Priepolie. Decides to Return. Dowager Empress Maria Feodor- owna of Russia, who has come to Enp- land intending to pass some weeks with her sister Queen Mother Alex andra, has decided to return direct to Russia tomorrow, cancelling her usual visit to Denmark. N No Relief to Situation. Berlin, July 31.-The morning passed without the heavy cloud over the European horizon breaking and there was no relief to the almost de- spairing uncertainty existing in the German capital where the excitement continued to increase. 1t had been generally expected that today would bring the decision for peace or war and when a decree was promulgated proclaiming martial law and consequent military government all began to think that armed con- fict could be the only outcome. Government officials, however. re- trained from making any definite de claration, saying they preferred to wait till all the resources of diplo- macy had been exhausted. It was l we'll understood that the issue of an order for the mobilization of the Ger man forces would be tantamount to a declaration of war and it was de- cided to postpone this action until the last ray of hope for peace shall have faded
 1 Situation Becomes Worse. l 1t is admitted that the situation had become worse during the last 1 tWenty-four hours but the fact that l both Germany and France issued of- 1 ficial denials of their intention to 1 mobilize was regarded as indicat ting 1 that everything possible was being | done to prevent a clash l js@ 1t was evident everywhere today ] that the military authorities were pre- 1 pairing for the speedy movement of \