The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-07-31
German Cabinet Sits at Potsdam Until Midnight. Censorship Placed Over
 All Telegraph Lines
GERMANY. DEMANDS
 EXPLANATION OF
 RUSSIAN ACTION
Tn Absence of Satisfactory Reply to Note Regarding Mobilization of Russian Troops, It Is Feared
 Germany Also Will Take
 Steps to Mobilize

London, July 3f.-Early this morning comes news that the German cabinet. presided over by the Emperor, sat at rotsdam until midnight and that a cen sorship over the telegraph lines is being Imposed at Berlin.
 This is interpreted here as implying preparations for German mobilization and few hours will probably decide whether Europe is to be involved in universal warfare.
 It is fully expected both at London and Berlin that the Russian foreign minister, Sergius Sazonoff, will reply to Germany's demand for an explanation to the effect that Russian mobilization has already been ordered and cannot be cancelled
 In the event of Germany mobilizing it.is expected that Premier Asquith i'm Inediately will ask Parliament to sane ton large vote of credit as neces- sary precaution.
 London, July s0.-With the exception of offical reports from Vienna in the briefest form, and thus far dealing with the bombardment of Belgrade and the capture of several Servian vessels on the Danube, little reliable news has been received in London concerning the course of hositities in the Austro-serv- ian war.
 Numerous reports are current that battles are in progress at various points, including one reported from Milan that heavy engagement is rag ing south of Belgrade tonight, but ac- cording to Servian official accounts. all attempts on the part of the Austrians to cross the river have been repulsed, and reports of the occupation of Bel grade are considered premature.
 While the news of the actual de- velopments in the Austro- -Servian war is unsatifactory the general situation is one of growing menace. There is a vague report that Austria and Russia are still engaged in diplomatic nego- tiations through the medium of Ser lin, direct diplomatic intercourse be- tween Austria and Russia having been suspended, but slender hopes are en- tertained of success in this direction. GERMANY SENDS
 NOTE TO RUSSIA
 Germany has addressed a note to Russia requiring an explanation of
 
 sence of a satisfactory reply it is feared Germany also may take steps to mobilize. It is understood that on the failure of his conference scheme Sir Edward Grey invited Germany to suggest some way out of the difficulty, ' and all eyes now are turned to the German Emperor the man upon whom Europe's fate depends.
 1t is believed if the German Emperor desires it, peace will be maintained. The German view is that it behooves Great Britain and France to bring pressure to bear upon Russia to allow the two principals to settle their differences without outside interference.
 In the meantime, every nation in Flu rope is taking active steps to be pre- pared for any eventualities.
 The Daily Telegraph's correspondent at Vienna, who is often the mouthpece of the Austrian government, says that Sir Edward Grey's mediation proposal must not have the object of modifying the peace terms agreed upon by the belliger- , ents. .oThe Austro-Servian conflict in all it's phases. from the wording of the ratifi- cation of a peace treaty" he says lis deemed to be a matter which concerns those states alone, just as Count Won Aehrenthal (the late Austro-H Hungarian minister of foreign affalrs) refused firm ly to discuss the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina with any power but Turkey and accepted the suggestion to come to conference only on the express condition that this question should be eliminated from the list of topics to pe dealt with.
 ..So will Count von Berchtold decline to
 (Continued on Page Nine)