St. Tammany farmer., 1914-08-08
London. 4.-Great Britain declared

war on Germany tonight
The momentous decision of the
British government, for which the
whole world has been waiting, came
before the expiration of the time
limit set by Great Britain in her ulti-
matum to Germany demanding a sat-
isfactory reply on the subject of Bel
gian neutrality.
Rejected by Germany.
Germany's reply was the summary
rejection of the request that Belgian
nutrality should be respected.
The British ambassador at Berlin
thereupon received his passports, and
the British Government notified Ger
many that state of war existed be-
tween the two countries.
All Europe is in arms, and Asia
may take a hand.
On the one hand, Austria-Hungary
and Germany are opposed by Russia,
France and Great Britain, Servia and
Montenegro.
Italy has declared her neutrality,
but is mobilizing. Belgium, Holland
and Switzerland have mobilized
Belgium Makes War Plans.
The German demand that the Bel
GUM government should permit the
free passage of German troops
through Belgium was answered by
hasty preparations to resist such an
advance across Belgian territory.
Sweden has made no answer to in
quiries from Russia and Germany re-
garding her attitude, but is preparing
to defend her neutrality
Japan is making ready to live up
to her alliance with Great Britain in
case of certain eventualities.
Spain is reported to be preparing a
proclamation of neutrality.
Austria Holds Back.
Austria-Hungary for the moment
has retired from her campaign
against Servia for the purpose of
holding back Russia, and Servia has
mobilized with the reported intention
of invading Bosnia.
The war is said to have extended
to Africa, and engagements are re-
ported off its northern coast. South
America, notably Brazil, has felt the
stress of war through the hampering
of financial arrangements. The Do
minion of Canada is preparing to aid
Britain with men and ships, and
Austalaia is taking active steps to do
her share. From India have come
rumors of unrest, and it $ feared the
natives, many of whom have been
tanned IN modern war methods, will
rise. Acutal military operations are
in progress in the China seas and at
Asia.
War Now Worldwide.
The war begun by Austria-Hun-
gary and eagerly seconded, appar-
ntly, by Germany, to-day became
worldwide Various opinions for its
causes have been advanced here.
What could havv inspired Emperor
Franz oseph, oppressed with cares,
bowed down with the weight of age
and sorrow, to stir up the strife
passes comprehension here.
But the chief subject of specula-
ton is the Kaiser. Admitted to be
perhaps the foremost figure n the
worlds history, William III tonight
is being called one of two things.
Either he is madman or he has an
ambition so lofty and an aspiration
for military glory so great that Ma
poleon will be dwarfed to inisgnltl-
canoe, say many cOOlheaded Observ-
erS.
Receives Passports.
The British Foreign Office has is
sued the following statement:
lowing to the summary rejection
by the German Government of the
request made by His Britanice Maj
esty's government that the neutrality
of Belgium should be respected, His
Majesty's ambassador at Berlin has
received his passports. and HIS
Majesty's government has declared
to the German Government that a
state of war exists between Great
Britain and Germany from II o'clock
p. m, Aug. A.
Reports of actual military opera
tons come in slowly. Cable and tele-
graph lines have been cut on all sides.
A great naval battle was reported
to-day off the English coast. but, If
it took place, no details have reached
London.