The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-07-31
war APPEARS
INEVITABLE


engage in q struggle for supremacy.
There was nothing. to give the public
hope that a general war might be
averted.
The stock exchanges in London and
the big provincial cities. as well as
owing to the breakdown of the credit
system, which was made complete by
the postponement of the Paris settle
ment. This, 1t was pointed out, would
necessarily be followed by the failure
Of some fifty members Of the London
stock exchange.
The precautionary military and ma
val measures taken by the British
government are almost completed.
The prevailing opinion here is deter
mined that England must observe her
unwritten obligation to assist France
In her difficulties with, Germany, but
a small body Of radicals continue to
utter objections to England's involv-
ing herself in the Quarrels Of the con-
tinental powers.
The House of Commons met at noon
to clear up the belated business before
1t and the king gave his assent to the
bills already passed. including the
finance bill, SO that should the me-
cessity arise the members of the house
would be free to deal with any pro-
posals extraordinary. financial or 9TH
erwise. Dispatches from Nish In Ser
via and from Vienna told Of encounters
between Austrian and Servian troops
on the frontiers. but authentic details
of the fighting were lacking.
1t seems certain that conflicts be-
tween the frontier guards have oc-
Cured, but military men here point out
that stories of fighting with heavy loss
es, such as are said to have occurred
at Fotcha are absurd, as it would be
impossible for the Servians, in the
% he; On hA
Drina and advance twenty miles within
Austrian territory.
1t is already argued the announce
ment that 500, 900 Austrian soldiers were
on the march into Servia is practically
incredible. 1t is said that Austria can
not have 100000 men on the move in
less than six weeks.
Russians Wildly Enthusiastic.
st. Petersburg, July 31.@The popula-
ton of the Russian capital kept awake
throughout the night and the streets
resounced with the din of patriotic
demonstration. A quick succession of
special editions OF the newspapers kept
the excitement at boiling point, and the
vendors had a hard time in supplying
those anxious to see the latest des-
patches which in many cases were read
out aloud to the public round about.
Great professions paraded the streets.
the demonstrators carrying banners and
portraits of the emperor. Loud cheers
were shouted for the emperor and the
army.
Impromptu meetings were held in all
parts of the city and the suburbs and
orators reused their audiences to an I'M
precedented frenzy OF enthusiasm.
Striking scenes were witnessed al
the mobilization quarters where people
OF all classes flocked to register their
names. The tension of feeling was SC
NHft0 sfv GOV he
street, in their patriotic excitement
greetedsand embraced one another.
Situation Is Tense.
Berlin, July 3l.-The morning pass
ed without q breakiin the heavy war
cloud over the European horizon and
spairing uncertainty existing in the
German capital Excitement continued
to increase. It has been generally ex-
pected that today would bring the de-
cisiOn for peace or war and when q
decree was promulgated proclaimine
martial law, and tha consequent mill
tary government, all began to believe
that an armed conflict could be the
only outcome. T. !
Government eafficiA1a refrained from
making any definite, declaration. say
ing they preferred to wait till all the
resources of diplomacy had been ex-
hausted. It was we'll understood the
issue Of an order far: the mobilization
Of the German forces would be tanta-
mount to a declaration of war and it
was decided to postpone this action I'M
til the last possible moment in which
there was a ray Of hope for peace.
1t was admitted that the situation
had become worse during the last "a
hours, but the fact that both Germany
and France issued, officially, denials of
their intention to mobilize was re-
garded as but q sign that everything
r,nSsihIa hoin0 dnna a
clash. 1t was evident everywhere today
that the military authorities were quiz
city preparing for the speedy moving of
troops in case the order for mobiliza-
ton should be given.
Members Of the various royal fami-
lies of Germany, spending their vaca-
tons away from their homes. hurried
back today.
Losing Faith In Germany.
Paris, J.ly 31.-In no case has any
considerable force of French troops adj
vanced closer to the German frontier
than six miles.
The French foreign Office officials
were considerably more pessimistic to-
day because, as they explained the
gravity of the situation was increasing
with the lapse Of each day. At the same
time it was said that it must not be
assumed that all hope Of a peaceful
solution had vanished. The French
government, it was asserted, would
leave nothing undone to further this
object.
France, it -7as pointed out. rather
than seem to be in the least provocative
is foregoing the justifiable advantage
an early mobilization of her army
would give her and will not make any
move until after Germany has done so.
The slight amount Of hope perceptible
i is based on problematical contingencies.
There has been much talk of Ger
manY's apnroach:uR. Austria and Rus