The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1914-08-06
DECLARATION OF
WAR IS GHEERED
IContinued from Page IL

Germany has formally declared war
upon Belgium. &c.. s' -
Vice-Admiral John Jellicoe was
placed In supreme command OF the
British home fleets, with the rank of
admiral Rear Admiral Charles e.
Madden is his chief OF STAFF Admiral
Jellicoe was one of those who took
part in the rescue Of the foreign lega-
tons at Picking in the Boxer uprising
in China.
All these final steps toward the open
declaration Of war were taken because
OF Germany's f1outing Of England's de-
mand that the neutrality of Belgium
and Luxembourg be respected and
that Germany give the same pledge
that France gave-to hold inviolable
the territory of those little states.
England demanded that Germany
pledge the nuetrality of Belgium and
withdraw her troops from Luxembourg
at once. Kaiser Wilhelm's reply was
to demand of Belgium permission to
pass his troops peaceably through the
little kingdom, with threat Of war in
case of refusal.
Belgium refused permission and ap-
pealed to England. Sir Edward Grey
assured Belgium that England would
not see her treaty rights violated with
out taking action.
England Again 10 Flouted.
Germany having made no reply to
Englands demand, a second and more
peremptory demand was made, plac-
ing the time limit for favorable an
swer at midnight.
Germany's reply to this was a
brusque note to Belgium, to the ef-
feet that since peaceful consent had
been denied to the passage of troops
through Belgium, Germany is now
prepared to make such passage by
force of arms. Also, she will declare
war and annex the Belgian Congo
territoy. 1t is said, unoficially, that
war is declared.
Brussels has officially informed
England that the German troops have
invaded her territory, and that the
time has come for England to take
tuS SuS
. Resdjust the Cabinet.
The cabinet Is being gradually re-
formed to include only men who are
In full accord with the government.
c. F. c. Musterman, who did not favor
war, resigned. John Burns resigned
and Viscount Morley was absent from
tia days meeting, giving the impress
isica that he will quit soon
II is now expected that Premier
Asquith will place the war portfolio
in the hands OF Field Marshal Lord
Kitchener.
The army and navy are now. ready
and minor preparations for war are
being completed.
All British trading vessels have
been ordered not to leave port. The
liner Otway Of the Orient company
reached Gibraltar and was forbidden
to leave.
All British consuls have received
this message from Sir Edward Grey,
the minister of foreign affairs:
Urgent you should warn British
enter German ports until further no.
tice. British ships already being de,
tained in German ports"
London firms have begun in earnest
20 lay in supply OF timed goods.
Overwhelming orders for timed
meats were placed with American
firms with Offices in this city, and the
price leaped from ten to thirty per
cent above what it has been.
German Promise RidicuIed.
The scene In the house OF com
mons when Premier Asquith laid the
facts before the house was most i'm
pressive. Yet one passage brought |
shouts of derisive laughter. showing
the frame OF mind toward Germany
and German promises. That was |
when Mr.. Asquith read to the house
telegram from the German minister |
of foreign affairs.
The message read:
PLEASE dispel any distrust that |
may subsist on the part of the Brit. |
ish government with regard to our
Intentions by repeating most posi-. |
lively the formal assurance that, even !
in case Of armed conflict with Bel.
GUM, Germany will under no pre-
tensions whatever annex Belgian ter.
ritory."
The offering of this promise, in the
face Of the broken treaty to which |
Germany was a signatory, promising
the neutrality of Belgium, brought
much laughter.
Mr.. Asquith read on 80 -.
The sincerity OF this declaration IL
borne out by the fact that we have
solemnly pledged our word to HoI-
land strictly to respect her neutral
ity. 1t Is obvious that we could not |,
proftably annex Belgian territory
without making territorial aequisI.
ton at the expense OF Holland. ~
please impress upon Sir Robert |,
Grey that the German army could not
remain exposed TO a French attack
across Belgium, which was planned. \
according to absolutely unimpeach.
able information. Germany has. as
q