The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1914-08-05
WAR IS DECLARED
AGAINST RUSSIA
BY; Germany and Dread
Fight Is On.
FORMAL tOICT IS DELIVERED
To St. Petersburg. After
Which williams Envoy
QUITS Country.
TEUTONIC FORCES MOBILIZED

London, Aug. 1.-Events in the
European crisis developed to-day
with startling rapidity. The Ger
man ultimatum to Russia, demand
ing that Russia cease the mobiliza-
tion of her army, expired at noon
and at 515 o'clock in the afternoon
the German Emperor signed a mo-
Utilization order.
At 1880 o'clock the German Am
bassador at st. Petersburg, Count
Won Pourtales, delivered a declara-
ton of war in the name of his Gov
eminent to the Russian Government,
and the staff of the embassy imme-
diately left st. Petersburg.
Although after the warhke
speeches delivered by the German
Emperor and the Imperial Chancel-
lor at Berlin on Friday, no other re-
suit could be expected, hopes that
the dread event might be averted
had been raised by the intervention
of King George in st. Petersburg
and the fact that the German Reich
stag was not to be convened until
Tuesday.
Hence the actual declaration of
war had not been expected for an
other day or two.
Now the die is cast. and Europe
is to be plunged into a general war,
which has been the apprehension of
European statesmen for generations.
It is now only question of how
soon state of actual war Will exist
between Germany and France.
Late tonight placards were post
ed in Paris calling for general mo-
bilization, and the German Ambassa-
dor, although he had not been hand
ed his passports, was preparing to
leave the French capital. 1t is not
known at exactly what hour Germa-
ny's ultimatum to France asking
that country to define what attitude
she would assume in case of war
by Germany and Austria against
Russia was to expire, but 1t is be-
lieved it will not be long
But it is believed it will not be
long before diplomatic relations will
be ruptured or war declared.
The first shots in the Russia Ger
man war were exchanged between
patrols this afternoon near Prost-
ken, 100 miles to the Southeast of
Konigsberg.
The only redeeming feature of /
the darkest prospect with which Eu-
rope has been faced for half CEN
fury, is that Italy has declared her |
neutrality. But how long that neu-
trality can be maintained is an ex-
ceedingly debatable question.
Great Britain's position already
has been defined by Premier Asquith
in the British Parliament. He de-
clared that she is under no formal
obligation to go to the assistance of
France in the event of European
war.
The British Government, howey-
er. has made full preparations In
both services for whatever may hap
pen.
The present position. therefore, is
that Russia, France. and Servia are
srrayed on one side against Austria
Hungary and Germany ON the other.
Official Version of War.
Berlin, Aug. This is the Off
cial version of the Kaiser's precipi-
tate action:
The Gar had telegraphed EN-
'eror William. begging him to in
eryene between Russia and Austria ,
N behalf OF peace. This the Kaiser ,
lid Immediately, putting himself in
communication with the
Ear and exchanging messages with
him throughout the following day. /,
n addition the German Emperor in
'ited assistance of Sir Edward Grey. .
Late Thursday more hopeful
opinion prevailed in Berlin. Later +,
here came thunderbolt in the =
ews from the German Ambassador n
n st. Petersburg. Count Pourtales. a
hat the Car had ordered the COM 7
lete mobilization of the Russian h
rmy and navy In spite Of the appeal
0 the Kaiser and of the fact that
he two Emperors had been in con- D