Norwich bulletin., 1914-07-29

. A H
 London, July 2S.-The Austro- Hun- garian government declared war against Servia today by a manifesto which is one of the briefest of mo- mentous documents in history
 Germany Paved the Way.
 Germany paved the way for this declaration by announcing her re1sc- ton of the British scheme to bring four powers together in conference Tor mediation. Germany explained to the public that her ally could not be ex- pected to submit her acts to Euro pean council as though she were one of the Balkan states.
 This announcement preceded the declaration of war by only two hours and gave an exhibition of the perfect iy harmonious working of the partner ship between the, two nations which stood firmly together through the Bos- nian crisis of 1909.
 St. Petersburg the Last Plank.
 The center of interest has been shifted sharply to St. Petersburg, which holds the decision whether a European war which probably would shift the balance of power, if not rearrange the entire map of Europe. is to break out. Negotiations are afoot there between the Russian foreign minister, Serg. IS Sazanoff and the Austrian ambasSa- dor, which are designed to .localize" the conflict The nature and progress of these conversations are wrapped in the thickest mystery. but they are the last plank the neutral powers are clinsing to in face of a storm which, may wash all under
 Austria Would Wipe Slate Clean.
 There is no doubt in British minds tha: Austria had fully resolved to utilize the provocation afforded by the SarayevO murders to wipe the slate clean of all accounts against Servia, and served an ultimatum on her wh. eh was designed to have no result save war.
 The next news expected is the oc- cupation of Belgrade, and that even now may be an accomplished fact
 Reports of small encounters along the front have been permitted to pass the censor. but military experts here believe that mobilization has already been effected and that a thoroughly planned campaign is5under way.
 England Must Support Russia and
 France.
 There is absolutely no enthusiasm in England for war-no desire for this particular one which confronts Great Britain: yet there is general belief that her obligations to her partners in the triple entente. as we'll as her in- terests as a great European power, will force her to support Russia and
 
 The dark developments of the day were received without excitement and with the deepest gloom. The immedi- ate effect of the war cloud is likely to be compromise on home rule, since all parties feel that domestic diSSen- si0ns must be settled at all costs in the face of peril from without The fierce demands of the conservative papers for a general election have been wholly hushed. The foreign of r.nes 4I. A branch of the government, and no one wants to risk the possibility of losing Sir Edward Grey. with his exceptional influence in the councils of Europe. Acting With caImness.
 The government is confronting the situation with perfect calmness. There Is no sign of unusual events at the for7ien office, except that the prime minister, Mir. Asuuith who seldom yis- it's that office, called there this evening and conferred with Sir Arthur NichoI- : son, permanent under secretary. and the Austrian ambassador came to make formal announcement of the declara- tion of war.
 Summoned Back to Ships. . The ships of the British fleet every where are taking on supplies. Soon after it became definitely known that Austria and Servia were at war; all the officers and sailors ashore at Portland and Weymouth were summoned back to their ships.
 Paralysis of Big Business.
 One of the darkest features the sit uation presents is the probable paraly- sis of financial enterprises. One ex- ample that may be quoted has to dc with Chinese railway contract. Tae British firm of Pauling on Saturday obtained a long sought contract for the construction of this road and proposed to float big loan for that purpose Ii now finds the time an impossible one Tor an operation of that character.