The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1914-07-29
Austria Sends Official Note to Servia
Declaring War-General Conflict
Feared by Powers.
BELGRADE REPORTED TAKEN
England's Battle Squadrons Have
Been Observation-Disclosures Made
To Localize Fighting.

ZION or the declaration of war was
sent to Servia by the Austro-Hunga-
rian government.
Announcement Of the declaration of
war came almost Immediately after
Germany and Austria had notified ST:
Edward Grey. the British foreign min
lister, of their refusal to join in
mediation conference.
1t is assumed here that the efforts
of the European nations will now be
directed toward localizing the area of
hostilities
Preparations for war are pr coed
ing on all sides. Even England bat
tie squadrons have been me-, !lized
and the publication of official news
as to movements of English warships
has ceased
The First and Second battle squad
rOns have taken on full war stores
and are ready to slip anchors at
moments notice. The destroyer flo
tillas around the coast also have been
prepared and armed guards were
placed around all the magazine and
oil depots.
Austria to Have Free Hand.
Germany's definite decision against
participation in the ambassadOrial
conference proposed by Sir Edward
Grey, the British foreign secretary,
in an effort to maintain peace, is re-
garded here as tantamount to a dec
laration Of Germany's intention that
Austria-Hungary shall have a free
hand in classifying Servia, unless the
Balkan kingdom accedes in full to the
demands of the dual monarchy
According to advices received here
Germany's refusal was couched in
terms of sympathy with Sir Edward
Grey's object, but contended that the
suggested conference would place
Austria-Hungary in the invidious po-
sition of appearing like the Balkan
states before a European tribunal to
explain her actions and therefore like
ly--to increase rather than I decrease
the difficulties of the situation.
rent here assert that Russia has been
given positive assurances that Aus
tria-Hungaly has no intention of an
nexing Servian territory. If true, this
might, it is thought, help the efforts
to lOcalize the war should it break
out.
What Caused Declaration.
The actual cause of Austria-Hun-
gary's decision to enter into conflict
was the reply sent by the Balkan
state to the note from Vienna de-
handing that Servia take steps to put
a stop to the Pan-Servian propaganda
on Austrian territory and also punish
those Servians indirectly concerned
in the assassination of Archduke
Francis Ferdinand.
The response of Servia was consid-
cred by the foreign office in Vienna
unsatisfactory and in a semi-official
communication the Austro-Hungarian
government said that the reply was
filled with the spirit of dishonesty"
In the meantime Sir Edward Grey
took the initiative by requesting the
European powers to permit their am
bassadors in London to confer with
view to a peaceful solution of the
controversy. Italy and France at once
consented to join their efforts to those
of Great Britain, but Germany and
Austria refused.
War Preparations Rushed.
Austria-Hungary in the interval pro.
ceeded rapidly with the mobilization
of her great army The entire rail
road system was utilized for the
movement Of troop trains, the tele.
graph system was monopoliZed for
government business and a strict cen
sorship was imposed.
Servia also modified her forces and
had withdrawn the garrison of Bel
grade, the capital, to the interior, as
the chief city of Servia occupied a
position too vulnerable to be held.
Every war office and admiralty in
Europe was occupied in preparations
for eventualities, even the smaller
countries such as Holland, Belgium
and Switzerland taking precautionary
measures.
Then came the formal declaration
of war. by Austria-HuDgary, one of
the members of the triple alliance,
the other two countries of which are
Germany and Italy.
The notification of the fact was
sent to the Servian government
which has it's temporary headquarters
at KraguyevatZ. 49,.
Mrs. George Kreatz entertained
number of young folks yesterday az
terncon at porch party, the occa
sion being the eleventh birthday an
niversary Of hcr daughter, Miss Lor
raine. Sweet reas and nasturtiNm!
formed charming decorations for the
w JJ ~s-4