Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1914-08-13
Orders to British Ships in
Mediterranean to Get
to Work.
SHIPS ON THE COAST
Great Struggle impending in Adri-
atic-Pola Forts Not Sufficient 10
Withstand Bombardment.

London. August 13.-Orders were
today flashed to the British fleet in
the Mediterranean to strike against
he Austrians.
The orders as sent out from the
admiralty announced that state OF
war with Austria has existed since
midnight.
The British admiral commanding
in the Mediterranean was therefore
ordered to proceed against the Aus
trians at once.
The Austrian fleet is believed to
be lying off its naval base, Cattaro,
IN the Adriatic.
While details Of the present
strength of the Mediterranean fleet
ire withheld for strategic reasons, it
s known that when war broke out
;here were three Of the first-class
oattle cruisers and several armored
.ruisers and accompanying destroy
ers at the Mediterranean naval base.
They have been in pursuit of the
German cruisers Goeben and Bres-
lau and are now probably near the
Austrian coast, where the French
feet is also understood to be.
Rome, August IS. Steamers
~eaching Venice today report that
he Austrian fleet is cleared for ac-
ion lying about fifteen miles off the
Austrian naval base Of PaIo.
The British and French Mediter-
.anean fleets, including the British
battle cruisers are near the entrance
o the Adriatic and naval battle Of
magnitude is impending
The Pola forts are not Of sufficient
:trenpth to withstand a heavy bonn
,ardment by the allied fleet should
he Austrians take refuge inside OF
he harbor.
London, August 13.-G a. MI
Declaration that state of war cH-
SITS between Great Britain and Aus
ria-Hungary as from midnight oil
August y, has just been issued by
he foreign Office.
The declaration was precipltated,
according to an official announcement
of the foreign Office, by the Request
Of the French government that his
najesty's government communicate
20 the Austro-Hungarian ambassado"
at London the following declaration.
"After having declared war on
servia and having thus taken the in
,itiative in the hostilities in Europe
The Austro-Hungarian government
has placed itself, without any prov
:ocation from the government Of the
French republic, in state of wal
with France, and after Germany has
successfully declared war agalns,
Russia and France, she has inter
Ivened in this conflict by declaring
war on Russia, who already was
lighting on the side of France.
"According to information worthy
of belief, Hungary has sent troop:
over the German frontier in such
manner as to constitute a direct men,
ace against France.
Gin the face of these facts tn;
French government finds itsei
obliged to declare to the Austro
| Hungarian government that it vii
| take all measures necessary to re
plv to these acts and menaceS."
"The foreign office statement con
tinues.
| communicating this declaratio
accordingly to the Austro-Hungaria
ambassador, his majesty's govern
ment has declared to his exccllenc
fthat the rupture with France having
been brought about in this way,
feels obliged to announce that
state of war exists between Ores
Pritain and tria-Hungary \
from midnight
| Official arrangements have bee
made for the Austria Hungarian an
bassador and his personal retinue
leave London tomorrow.
--C--
| 11o,J ,nd Snft She'll Crabs at Ran