Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-07-28
suuoestion of Mediation
Conference on Servian
Trouble is Rejected.
WAR ARWILLBEL0CALIZED
AUSTRIA Is to Have Free Hand
in ChaStiSing SerVia Un-
less Gar InterfereS.

London, July 2S.-The an
nouncement of the declaration
Of war by Austria Hungary on
servia came today almost i'm
mediately after Germany and
Austria had notified Sir Ed
ward Grey, British foreign min
ister, of their refusal to join In
the mediation conference. 1t is
assumed here that the efforts
of European nations will now
be directed toward locaizing
the area of hostilities.
London. July 2S.-The refusal of
Germany and Austria-Hungary to par
ticipate in a mediation conference on
the Austro-Servian conflict, the reports
Of rapid movements of Austro-Hun-
gsrian troops, and the persistent down
ward trend of the European stock
markets were the outstanding develop
nents Of the European situation to-
day.
Preparations for war proceed on all
sides Even England's battle squad
rons have all been modified in readi-
ness for eventualities and the publica-
ton Of official news as to the move
nents Of British ships has ceased.
The first and second battle squadrons
have taken on full war stores and are
ready to slip anchor at a moments
notice Destroyer fiotillas around the
coast have also been prepared and
armed guards have been placed around
magazines and oil depots.
Germany's reply to Lord Grey's pro-
posal is regarded here as tantamount
to declaration of Germany's determi-
natio that Austria-Hungary shall have
an entirely free hand in chastising
Servia unless the Balkan kingdom ac-
eedes in full TO the demands of the dual
monarchy.
Apparently authentic reports cur
rent here assert that Russia has been
gwen positive assurances that Aus
u1a-Hungary has no intentions of an
nexing Servian territory. If true, this
might, it is thought, help localize the
var should it break out.
Thus far there has been no official
eonhrmation Of the reports of hostili-
nes having begun between Austria and
Servia
Actual Cause of Conflict.
The actual cause of Austria-Hun-
sarys decision to enter upon a hostile
eonnict with Servia was the reply sent
oy the Balkan state TO note from
vienna demanding that Servia take
steps to put a stop to the Pan-Servian
propaganda on Austrian territory and
s'so to punish the Servians indirectly
eoneerned in the assassination in Bos-
ma OF Archduke Ferdinand, heir TO the
Aastro-Hungarian throne. The re-
sponse OF Seryia was considered by the
loreign Office OF Vienna "unsatisfac-
sory and filled with a spirit of dis
honesty,
IN the meantime Sir Edward Grey
.Ook the initiative by requesting the
european powers 20 permit their am
- osssadors at London TO confer with
I'm with view to peaceful solution
- - AAfAAE anu II NA1t
UnAented, but Germany and Austria
.elesed- Austria-Hungary in the in
.s'sal had proceeded rapidly with the
.4ooihzation OF a great army. Her en-
eie railroad system is being utilized
W the movement of troop trains
sao the telegraph system is being
1onopolized for government business
.no strict censorship has been i'm
posed
serVia also had mobilized her forces
eao Withdrawn her garrison at Bel
srede to the interior as the capital oc-
sopied position too vulnerable to be
eso- Every war Office and admiralty
Europe was occupied in preparation
eVentualities, even IN the smaller
Vftries such as Holland, Belgium
- : Switzerland. Then today came the
MA declaration OF war by Austria
1kary, one OF the members OF the
Alliance, the others OF which
e rmany and Italy.
frmany Rejects Grey Plan.
ii P, July 2s.-The German gov