The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-08-02
England Notifies French Pres
ident That She viii Support
Him in Amy Move
Border Situation
Now Most Critical
Expected That First Fighting
In General War VIII Be
Between the French and the
German Troops

Paris August THE French gov
ernment issued today an order for tho
general mobilization OF the army to
take effect tomorrow.
A joint proclamation was issued
late in the afternoon. bearing the sig
natures Of President Poincare and tho
ministry, regarding the mobilization,
In which they cautioned the people Of
France that mobilization Is not war.
Under the decree. the mobilization
Ia to be completed at 11.53 o'clock to-
morrow night.
STR Francis BERTHE. Britlah k1n-
bassador to France. called at tbs
Eiysee palace this evening and notified
the president that Great Britain, In
fulfiIlment of her treaties, would sup
port France in any move she should
make.
Situation Most Critical.
Baron Won Schoen. the German
ambassador to France. has asked
Myron 7. Herrtck. tho American am
bassador, to take over the German
embassy and act on behalf oe Germany
in case of hostiiitiea. Mr.. Herrick
forwarded the request to Washington
and asked for instructions 1t is ex-
pected here that President Wilson will
give the necessary permission.
The situation along the Franco
German frontier Is most critical. and
the French are accusing the Germans
of trying TO taune them into making
some overt act which would give Ger
many an excuse for hostiiities. Ii liz
expected here that the first tighting
in the general war will be between
these French and German troops on
the border.
The telephone between Paris and
London Is manned by operators from.
the French signal corps and all COM
mercial business is refused,
The whereabouts OF the French fleet
Is being kept secret by the governs
ment, but il is known TO be prepared
for action.
Slight Ray OF Hope.
Some concern has been expressed In
official Paris over the position Eng
land will take. 1t is assumed here
that she will observe her treaty OBJ
legations with France, but regret liz
expressed that the British foreign of
fee has not definitely warned Germany
that the British feet Will be brought
into play unless Germany backs down
from the position she took when she
delivered her ultimatum to France.
The majority OF the attaches of the
ready have left to join their regiments
A slight ray of hope at literally the
eleventh hour Is seen here in the fact
that Baron Won Schoen, the German
ambassador to France. has not left this
city 1t is reported in diplomatic cir
Giles that Russia has announced that
she is ready to demoholize II the other
European nations do likewise Baron
Won Schoen was ready to leave for
Berlin tonight.
War Regarded As Certain.
The mobilization order issued to-
day calls ont every class OF reserves
since 1887. including practically every
man under fifty years of gaze. II
means that war lis regarded as GER
tain.
Persons to whom the Frenchmen
still remains a gesticuiatsng figure.
more fitted for comic opera than real
life. would have learned how far they
are mistaken had they been here In
Paris today. The French capital Is
calm end self-possessed. The crowds
gather around the cafes. bands are
playing in the streets and hats are
lifted as the strains OF the Marseillaise
are heard accompanied by shouts OF
''yive la France" and "Vive lArmee."
Women seen in the streets have the
swollen eyes or those who have shed
tears. but nowhere does one see a
loss of self control or boastful
spirit. or fear of the outcome.
IF 1t rad to come, let il come ana
have done with It," Is the expression
witch most nearly describes the feel
ing OF the people OF France.
Extra editions Of tho evening news
papers are bought even by women. =
thing seen only in time Of war.