The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-07-27
SERVIA DECIDES
TO FIGHT FOR
HER HONOR
Austria's Demands Too Humii-
iating for Acceptance
RIGID CENSORSHIP IN FORCE
RussIa's Course May Determine
Whether or Not Europe Is To Ex
perience 4 General War

London. July 27.-The drift is tow
ard war, but fighting has not begun
and strenuous efforts ace being made
for peace or restriction Of the area
of hostilities. The actual situation
is obscure because of the rigid censor
ship imposed in Austria and Russia.
which forbids all mention of the
movements or disposition of troops.
Austria seems disposed 10 force the
issue uncompTomisingly and the eva
cuaton OF Belgrade and the massng
Of Servian forces indicates purpose
to resist aggression. From Russia
no definite word has come. Germany
makes demand for the "localizat-
ion" of the war. which amounts to a
peremptory order to Russia not to in
terfefe. In France the fleet has
abandoned target practice and stands
waiting. Italy is modifying the fleet
and in Rome the recall of five addit-
ional classes of reserves. from 1887
to 1891 is expected. Austrian reser-
yes are summoned home from abroad,
with promise OF amnesty for evad-
ers Of military service who return.
The movement for peace is strongest
in England. Franch and Italy.
The Servian reply to the Austro-
Hungarian ultmatum was an accep-
lance of almost all the imperious de
mands except that Austrian officials
shall participate in the investigation
and fix the responsibility for the anti
Austrian propaganda. Seryia pro
posed an appeal 20 the powers at The
Hague for the settlement of that fea-
ture
Notwithstanding this humillating
surrender, which was more than
Europe expected of the proud little
nation, the Austrian government yes
terday gave the Servian minister his
passports, which may be construed
as a virtual declaration OF war. Aus
tria committed an act OF wa by ar
resting the chief of the Servian gen
eral stan. Gen. Putnik, near Budapest
but he was soon released by the en-
peror's direc. command.
4 formal declaration OF war is not
expected because Scryia is not
a party to the Hague convention,
which requires this. The suspension
of all parliamentary and judicial in
stitutions has been decreed IN Aus
tria. and an ironclad censorship has
dawn a Gordon OF secrecy around
the country. SO tina. the outside world
is in complete ignorance of every
thing happening there. except what
the government wants the world TO
know. Even now the Austrian armies
may be closing in upon Servia and
launching a sudden blow. as Japan
did when she sent he, feet against
the Russian ships without warming.
While Austria announces a partial
mobilization" the Austrian embassa-
dor ut London has issued a signid-
cant notice to all Austrians liable for
military service to return home. The
only possibility OF averting war at
the nth hour. which Austria recog-
nizes is that Servia shall reconside,
her reply to the Austrian note and
bow to all the demands. Even then
Austria proposes to exact payment
for all her expenses in connection
with her military measures.
The question as to whether Russia
will take up arms to save her Slav
protege from a crushing blow is the
crucial feature OF the situation on
which the peace Of all Europe hinges