Omaha daily bee., 1914-08-04
BRITISH ARMY Is
TO BE Modified;
FLEET IN ACTION


CONTINUED from Page one)
condition Of IT'S neutrality for The time
being
Sir Edward Grey in second statement
in the House of Commons after the con-
ference OF ministers in regard 10 the
German uitimatum to Belgium said;
The British government is taking into
grave consideration the information re-
ceived and will make no further COM
ment"
II understand that the German govern
ment will be prepared II we would pledge
ourselves to neutrality, TO agree that its
fleet would not attack the northern coast
Of France That is far too narrow an
engagement"
Sir Edward Grey than recIted the his
tory Of Belgian neutrality. saying:
sour interest is as strong today as
II was Ia 1870. We cannot take less
serious View OF our obligations now than
DID the late Mr. Gladstone in that year,
when mobilization began l tele-
graphed both the French and the Ger
man governments asking whether they
would respect Belgian neutrality. France
replied that Il was prepared to do so un.
Ices another power violated that neu-
trality. W. q.
THE German foreign secretary replied
that he could not possibly give a re-
Spouse before consulting tho imperial
chancellor and the German emperor. he
intlmated that he doubted whether Il was
possible to give an answer because that
answer would disclose German plans.
I'VE were sounded last week as TO
whether II Belgium neutrality were re-
stored after the war It would pacify us
and we replied that we could not barter
our interests or our obligations"
Sis Edward Grey then read telegram
from the king Of the Belgians 70 King
George making supreme appeal for
diplomatic intervention 20 safeguard the
independence OF Belgium.
British Cruiser Leaves Havana.
HAVANA. Aug. s.-The British cruiser
Berwick left here at midnight with all
lights extinguished.
Part OF Port of uebec Closed.
QUEBEC, Aug s.-The port OF Quebec
was today placed in charge OF the MILL
tary authorities The northern channel
Oft the island OF orleans was ordered
closed TO navigation and Il Is believed
10 have been mined All buoys and
channel lights have been removed. The
regulations forbid all persons approach
ing government ships or dry docks.
Preach Liner Communicated.
NEW ORLEANS Aug. 3.-The Cap
tain Of the French line steamer Mis-
slppi which arrived today. received or
ders 70 unload as quickly as possible
and report TO the French consul general
.FrsN. ia
cuss the order Hundreds OF French re.
servlsts and volunteers are being enrolle'
by the consul
BULLETIN.
Fight OFF Vancouver Probable.
VANCOUVER, b, c., Aug. 3-Thr
canadian cruiser Rainbow lay in the roya
road Victoria today with its deck
cleared for action. awaiting adviees con
corning the German cruiser Leipag. re
ported somewhere off Cape F1attery
The Leipsig Is faster than the Rainbov
BY three knots. but the Canadian wa
ship has the better armament and lie
between the Lelpsig and her nearest cos
supply The German cruiser, CANADIAN
naval militia officers say. cannot leav
FOR the China station. WHITTIER Il /
bound, without replenishing It's bunker
BULLETIN.
LONDON. Aug. SHERMAN cayalr.
Today raided the French frontier nea
the fortress OF Belfort and attempted 1
commandeer horses, according to dis
patches from Paris German patrols ais
twice attacked Jonchery, near BeifoTt.
BULLETIN.
BRUSSELS. belgium. Aug. Sit Is es
timased that 10000 German soldiers hav
occupied ths duchy Of Luxemburg and az
passed along the French frontier.
STATEMENT ~ THE PREsIDEN'
Exesuttve says Financial sitaatio
a. Sounds
WARRINGTON. Aus. s..-Prssident Wi
son told callers today the United state
had not directly or Indirectly made an
offer 70 use its good offices 10 bFin
about peace In Europe He said he ha
not heard 81 q suggestion by the Quee
Of Holland that the United states unit
with her country 20 offer mediation.
The White House authorized this Qu,
tation from the presidents reInarks
me Washinstpq correspondents: