The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1914-08-08
Austrians Take Belgrade.


After a heavy bombardment by the
Danube gunboats, Belgrade was occu-
pied by the Austrian troops"
SheIled by Monitors.
Vienna.-The Servians, at 1870
o'clock in the morning blew up the
bridge spanning the River Save be-
tween the Austrian town of Semlin
and Belgrade
The Austrian infantry and artillery
stationed at Semlin, in conjunction
with monitors on the Danube, fired
on the Servian positions beyond the
bridge. The Servians retreated after
a short engagement with trifing
losses.
A small detachment of pioneers in
cooperation with the customs officers
captured two Servian steamers laden
with ammunition and mines. The pio-
neers and revenue guards after q
sharp encounter oYercame the Ser
Wan crews and took possession of the
vessels and their dangerous cargoes.
The captured ships were towed away
by one of the Danube steamers.
A dispatch to a Vienna paper says
that three of the Danube monitors be-
gan Smelling Belgrade early in the
morning after the bridge across the
Savo had been destroyed by the Ser
VANS. The shells wrought havoc in
the exposed part of the city, damag
ing the kings palace the fortif1ca-
ton walls, the barracks and other
buildings. This dispatch says that the
Servians did not return the fire.
Gar Calls Reserves.
st. Petersburg.-Ani imperial ukase
issued by the emperor calls to the
colors an immense number of reserv-
lists.
In Russian eyes the die is cast.
Only a political miracle can avert
war
Russia does not swerve from it's
determination to support Servia. Par
tial mobilization already has been or
dered. There is every indication that
the whole vast military machinery Of
Russia will soon be set in motion.
Austria Declares War.
London.-The Austro-Hungarian gov
eminent has declared war against
Servia by a manifesto which is one
Of the briefest OF history's momen-
tous documents.
Germany paved the way for this
declaration by announcing her rejec-
ton of the British proposal to bring
four powers together in conference for
mediation. Germany explained that
her ally could not be expected to sub
NIT her acts to an European council,
as though she were one of the Balkan
states.
This announcement preceded the
declaration of war only two hours, and
gave an exhibition Of the perfectly
harmonious workings of the partner
ship between the two nations, which
stood firmly together through the Bos-
MAN crisis Of 1909.
Russia Mines Its Harbors.
st. Petersburg are now
being laid at the entrance to all
Russian ports on the Baltic. At night
all harbor lights are extinguished.
! Shipping has been warned that Russia
is about to invade Austria. The war
Office has taken possession of all
western railroads.
The czar received a long message
from Emperor William urging that it
would be least disastrous to Europe if
Austria and Servia should be permit
| ted to settle their quarrel without in
reference The car Immediately re-
piled, rejecting the proposal. assert
ing that Russia would enforce the in
tegrity of Serviaa territory as if it
were Russian.
France Waits on Russia.
| Paris.-The French government and
people appear quietly to be prepar-
ing for war. The government is
simply awaiting the decision Of Rus.
sia Troop trains are ready and rep
resentatives Of the army are on duty
in the telegraph, telephone and post
offices. The average citizen has read
in the newspapers his general instruc
tions concerning mobilization; he long
has had his order instructing him pre-
cisely when and where to report fol
service. Large posters on the bulle
tin boards in the postoffces, city halls
and other public buildings will apprise
him of exactly the hour when his In
structions become effective.