Brr-.rrr -■—■-■■ _ _ r_.. -— -
ESTABLISHED 1832. __ _NEWARK, N. J., FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1914. —14 PAGES. WEATHER: PROBABLY FAIR SATURDAY. ^
New York Trading Centres Un
able to Stand Flood of
World’s Business.
MARKETS OF COUNTRY'S
CHIEF CITIES FOLLOW SUIT
Transactions in Securities
Practically Halted All Over
the World by War Crisis.
[' -
NEW YORK, July 31.—The New
York stock exchange was closed to
day on account of the European sit
uation. The consolidated stock ex
change and the New York curb mar
ket also ceased business. This was
followed immediately by announce
ments of the closing of exchanges in
the othc,chief cities throughout the
country*!.
The <^: vi exchange, after an hour
of tradirlj today, voted to close until
10 o’clocicfeyeaday.
New Ydfe's exchanges were the
last of the important centres of the
world to announce the closing of its
doors to trading. When the London
exchange was ordered closed, it be
came apparent that New York would
be flooded with the trade of the for
eign bourses, all of which are closed.
This official announcement was
made by the secretary of the ex
(hange; "The governing committee
decided that the exchange be closed
until further notice and that all de
liveries he suspended until further
notice.”
OealH in Securities Halt.
With the suspension of business
here transactions in securities the
world over came virtually to a halt.
New York for the last few days had
been the only great market of the j
world to carry on business as usual. I
The decision to close came suddenly
and unexpectedly a short time before
the usual hour for opening. Up to j
that time, although the street was ini
a state of great excitement, the gen
eral Impression was that the ex
change would open.
It was at a meeting of bankers at
the offices of J. P. Morgan & Co. that
the decision was reached. The meet
ing was attended by Mr. Morgan and
H. P. Davison, his partner; Frank A.
Vanderslip, president of the National
City Bank; A. P. Hepburn, chairman
of the Chase National Bank, and
[Francis L. Hine, president of the
tf-’irst National Bank. These men were
A close communication with the gov
Anors of the Stock Exchange, and
LAer a long discussion it was .decided
I9u the strain upon credits might
Teach a dangerous degree if the ex
changes were open.
While it is understood that there was
Uomc opposition to the closing of the
exchange it is learned that a majority
of the men whose advice was sought
decided that as a precautionary meas
ure the action should he taken. No
definite period for the closing of the
exchanges has been set.
First Suspension Since 187,1.
Stock exchange houses have notified
their offices not to make deliveries for
received stock until further notice.
William C. Van Antwerp, a governor
of the exchange, said that it was the
first time since 1873 that business had
been suspended for a full day. At
that time a large stock exchange
house failed and there were threats of
dangerous European complications.
The only other occasion in the history
of the exchange when similar action
has been taken was in 1869 on that
famous "Black Friday."
The movement of gold to Europe,
which has reached unprecedented
proportions during the last few days,
was continued. Two engagements
were made, amounting to $2,500,000
The steamship St. Louis, which sailed
for Europe today, carried the largest
amount of gold ever taken from any
port of the world on a single vessel.
The total value of the cargo was $11,
025.000. The total on this movement
of gold in five days aggregates $45,
435.000. The amount of the outflow of
ihe metal since January 1 is $123,835,
000.
The New York Coffee Exchange
followed the lead of the Stock Ex
changed and suspended business. The
Cotton and Produce exchanges were
open.
Committee to ’lake ttuie.
At a special meeting of the board of
governors of the Stock Exchange
President Noble was authorized to
appoint a committee of five govern
ors to make rulings regarding de
liveries on the curb. Deliveries on
the curb were suspended, unless by
mutual consent between the contract
ing parties.
Members of the board of governors
said the board would probafly ask
the banks not to call any loans due
today or at any time while the Stock
Exchange remained closed. The
banks, it was believed, would agree
to such an arrangement.
The board of governors is In favor
of restricting all outside or private
purchases or sales of securities by
(Continued on Page 2, Column ft.)
4
Hie “Hat”
question can be set
tled easily and quick
ly if you will read the
“Flats to Let” ads in
today’s paper.
You get the big
gest list of vacant
places by reading the
“To Let” ads in The
Star.
| WAR BULLETINS j
Special to the Evening Ntar.
LONDON. July 81*—.A censored dis
patch to the Exchange Telegraph Com
pany from Vienna says:
Hope of localizing the war has been
given up In all quarters.
Much significance Is attached to the
fact that the censors passed this mes
sage.
Special to the Evening Htar.
BERLIN. July 31.—The most rigid cen
sorship since the present crisis arose was J
put into effect today. The government !
refused to pass any message dealing with i
the movement of troops or orders to the j
navy. Many dispatches were held up. J
Special to the Evening Star.
BERLIN. July 31 (Passed by Censor).—
A series of explosions were heard on the
Russian side of the Austro-Russlan fron- i
tier at Myslowite early today and the!
crar's troops are reported to have j
blown up a big bridge, messages re- 1
celved here declare. The bridge reported
to be blown np is an important one on
the VFenna-Warsaw railroad. Myslowitz
is 116 miles southeast of Hreslau.
KOKNIG8BERG, Germany, July 31.—
The German military authorities have
posted notices that the railroad station
and (racks here have been placed under
military guard. Nobody is allowed to
approach nearer than a distance of 1(M)
yards from the tracks and culvert# and
an order says that civilians disobeying
the sentries' challenge will expose them
selves to the danger of being shot down.
__
Secretary McAdoo Announces
Treasury Is Prepared to Meet
Any Emergency.
WASHINGTON. July 31.—Secretary
McAdoo issued a statement today,
saying the treasury department will
help as far as “it legitimately may"
in New York or elsewhere during the
present situation.
Secretary McAdoo said: "We are
keping in close touch with the situa
tion. The treasury department will
help, as far as it legitimately may, in
New York or in any other part of
the country where it becomes ap
parent that assistance is needed.
"The Aldrlch-Vreeland act, as
amended by the Federal reserve act,
is still in force, and the terms upon
which currency may be issued under
that act are now so favorable that
resort may be made quickly and ef
fectively to it to meet any emer
gency. it must be remembered that
there is in the treasury, printed and
rea <v *or *ssue. 3600,000.000 of cur
rency. tvliidft the banks can get upon
application under that law. This is
in addition to the resources of the
treasury
"In view of the closing of the for
eign stock exchanges, the action of
the New York stock exchange, of
which I have just learned, in closing
temporarily, is a reasonable measure
of protection to American interests.”
President Wilson also turned his
attention to the financial situation.
Before breakfast he conferred with
Secretary McAdoo. It was announced
at the White Houbo that every effort
would be made for organizing the
Federal reserve board and putting the
new reserve system in operation.
Relief measures contemplated in
clude depositing funds in banks in
Chicago. New York, and Philadelphia
and other cities.
The President planned to send to
the Senate today or tomorrow the
nomination of a man In place of
Thomas D. Jones, and efforts were
begun to find out definitely Just what
Paul M. Warburg expects to do with
regard to his nomination. The Presi
dent believes it necessary for the new
system to be put in operation at once,
and legal experts of the treasury have
informed Secretary McAdoo that it
would be impossible to organize It
until all members of the boards have
been confirmed.
Mr. w iIson let it be known that he
approved of the closing of the New
York stock exchange as a precaution
ary measure. Secretary Tumulty was
summoned back from New Jersey by
the President, who planned to give up
his week-end recreation and remain
ai the White House in constant touch
with the situation in this country..
Cheering Crowds Parade City
Bearing Banners and Pic
tures of Czar.
ST. PETERSBURG. July 31.—The
population of the Russian capital kept
awake throughout the night, and the
streets resounded with the din of pa
triotic demonstrations. A quick suc
cession of special editions of the news
papers kept the excitement at the
boiling point, and the vendors had a
hard time in supplying those anxious
to see the latest dispatches, which in
many cases were read out aloud to the
public round about.
Great processions paraded the
streets, the demonstrators carrying
banners and portraits of the em
peror. Loud cheers were shouted for
the emperor and the army.
Impromptu meetings were held in
all parts of the city and the suburbs,
and orators roused their audiences to
an unprecedented frenzy of enthusi
asm.
Striking scenes were witnessed at
the mobilization offices, whither peo
ple of all classes flocked to register
their names.
The tension of feeling was so great
that utter strangers on the street in
their patriotic excitement greeted and
embraced one another.
The seriousness of the situation ap
peared to be fully realize j.
Prince Henry Not Sent to Czar
BERLIN, July 31.—A denial of the
London report that Prince Henry has
been sent to St. Petersburg was is
Sued here today. ^
WARMNDS
fnperator, Vaterland and Amer
ika Ordered to Remain at
Their Present Ports.
HUNDREDS OF AMERICANS
IN EUROPE ARE AFFECTED
Hamburg - American Directors
in New York Decide to Post
pone Sailings Indefinitely.
YEW YORK, July 31.—With three j
grea ttrans-Atlantic liners now held j
in various ports because of the Eu- j
ropean war crisis, all German lines I
today faced the possibility of having !
i their giant passenger-carrying ves
sels requisitioned by the government.
The liners Imperator and Vater
land, the two largest passenger-ar
rylng ships in the world, are in port
until further orders are received. The |
Vaterland is in New York and the I
Imperator at Hamburg.
The directors of the Hamburg |
American line here held a hurried !
conference today following the re-1
ceipt of cablegrams from Germany.
The officials were obviously greatly
| concerned. At the conclusion of the
conference the following statement
was Issued:
"In view of the uncertainty of pres
ent European conditions it has been
decided to postpone the saillnig of
the steamship Vaterland from New
York Saturday, the Amerika from
Boston tomorrow and the Imperator
from Hamburg July 31. Due notice
of sailing will be given twenty-four
hours ahead."
At the Hamurg offices it was de
clared no accurate estimate could be
made on the number of Americans
who would be held in Europe owing
to the cancellation of the Imperator's
sailing. At least 200 had probably re
served passage it was declared.
LONDON, July 31.—The Ham
burg-American Steamship Company
announces that the sailing of the
steamer Imperator from Hamburg
today has been cancelled. /
The Hamburg-American company
sent notices to the eight hundred
first-class passengers waiting here
for the Imperator that the company
had been compelled to postpone the
sailing of the vessel owing to the
clouded political situation.
The passengers, of whom about
eighty per cent, are Americans re
turning from European trips, have
been left by the company to make
their own arrangements. The com
pany, however, says the moment the
situation clears up the Imperator will
sail for New York and the passen
gers will be given due notice of the
date of her departure.
Among those who had booked on
the Imperator was Thomas Nelson
Page, the United States ambassador
at Rome, who was returning to
America for a vacation.
.HAMBURG, Germany. July 31.—
Besides suspending the sailing from
Hamburg of the Imperator it was
reported today that the Hamburg
American line had also ordered the
Vaterland to stay at New York and
await the developments of the inter
national situation. The other Ham- j
burg-American liners, however, will j
continue the service. i
Shipping to Baltic ports has been
entirely suspended.
ELECTROCUTED AS
Laborer Digging Beside Track
Is Killed by 5,000-Volt
Charge.
John Rudda, twenty-seven years
old, of 20 Cleveland avenue, Harri
son, a track laborer employed by the
Lackawanna Railroad, was electro
cuted while at work along the rail
road tracks on the Kearny meadows
today. The fatality occurred about
150 feet east of Sandford's Crossing.
A pulmotor, summoned to the scene,
w'as used for over an hour in an en
deavor to restore the victim. He
was finally .pronounced dead.
Rudda was digging along the tracks
when his pick struck a wire which
hung over another. A blinding flash
attracted the attention of Arthur J.
Johnson, of 61 Washington street,
Harrison. Johnson, who is foreman
of the gang of which Rudda was a
member, ran to the place and found
the charged wire lying over Rudda's
chest. The dangerous strand was re
moved and it was found the laborer
had been horribly burned.
Edward A. Clark rendered first aid
to the injured pending the arrival of
the pulmotor. Rudda, how'ever, never
showed any signs of life after receiv
ing the shock.* It is said the wire
was charged with 5,000 volts.
Detective Sergeant Walter Oliver
investigated the case and the body
of the dead man was removed to
Condon's morgue, Harrison. In Rud
da’s pockets was found 111 in bills
and a check on a Hoboken bank fo*
119.
German Federal Council
Prunes List of Exports
as Mobilization Step
BERLIN, July 31.—The German
Federal Council today issued a de
cree prohibiting exports of grain,
flour, foodstuffr, meats, antmal prod
ucts, automobile trucks, motorcycles,
petroleum, coal tar and coal oils. This
goes into effect immediately.
The step taken by the Federal Coun
cil. whose members represent the rul
ers of the federated States composing
the German empire, was said to have
been necessitated by the heavy ex
ports of the past few days reported
by the chambers of commerce.
It was semi-ofllcially announced
thal the matters dealt with by the
Federal Council were of "secondary
importance."
GERMANY, UNDER MAR'
MOBILIZING HER TRO<
NO HOPE IS SEEN
j SERVIAN TROOPS READY FOR ACTION
i: n ~i
Trading on Chief Mart of World
Was Demoralized by War
Crisis.
■ ' ___ - i
.i _ infMrmii'i l i -
LONDON, July 31.—The London
Stock Exchange has been closed until
further notice.
The Bank of England today in
creased its rate of discount to eight
per cent.
The metal exchange was dosed to
day on account of the crisis.
The decision to close the exchange
was taken by the committee at a
meeting held this morning.
The committee also announced that
the settlement due August 13 has
been postponed until August 27, and
that the consols settlement due Au
gust 6 has been put over until Sep
tember. Stocks which have yet to be
delivered for the account just closed
must, however, he paid for.
The chief reason for the unprece
dented action of the London Stock
Exchange committee was the fact
that the system of credit had prac
tically broken down, and it was im
possible to carry on business in the
ordinary way. The situation did not
arise through over-speculation, but
because bankers could not collect
margins which had been gradually
shrinking, while at the same time the
continent continued to pour stock into
London.
The banking situation in London
has become so abnormal that it is un
derstood the British cabinet at its
meeting today discussed the possibil
ity of taking measures to prevent a
possible panic. The Bank of England
was today charging ten per cc.it. for
weekly advances—an unprecedented
rate. There has been nothing in the
nature of a panic or a run, but. offi
cials have been quietly paying out
gold and silver since the opening of
the bank this morning.
Cable transfers on New York were
quoted at $5.20 and small parcels of
coupons wrben offered at the banks
were only taken at the rate of 3s. 9d.
for the dollar.
The street today was full of deal
ers and their clerks discussing the
situation in a more or less mournful
tone.
_
OLASCOW, Scotland, July 31.—The
Stock Exchange here and in Edin
burgh were both closed today.
LIVERPOOL. July 31.—The Stock
Exchange here was closed for busi
ness today
MANCHESTER. July 31—The com
mittee of the Manchester Stock Ex
change ordered the market closed to
day.
BERLIN. July 31 .—The rate of dis
count of the Imperial Bank of Ger
many was raised from four to five
per cent, today.
AMSTERDAM, July 31.—The bourse
was again closed today and. the com
mittee decided not to open the mar
ket until further notice.
VIENNA. July 31.—The bank rate
here today advanced to six per cent.
PARIS, July 31.—Transactions on
the bourse today were fewer and the
quotations were almost without sig
nificance. The private discount rate
was 4V4 Per cent.
THE HAGl'E, July 31.—As a result
of a meeting today between the
Netherlands cabinet and the bankers
of Amsterdam, it was decided to form
a syndicate of bankers which will be
supplied by the Netherlands bank
with a credit of 38h.000.o00.
The second chamber of parliament
has been summoned in order to pass
a bill relieving the bank of certain
disabilities and restrictions.
Cleveland, o., juil si.—Not
withstanding the fact many otbe
stock exchanges have closed, officials
of the Cleveland Stock Exchange an
nounced they would nut close today.
t,
SERBS HOLD PASS AFTER
DAY AND NIGHT BATTLE
NISH, July 31.—A statement issued
by the war office today said that the
Austrians failed in an effort to force
the pass which commands the ap
proach to the Morava valley.
Fighting of the most desperate na
ture continued today with heavy cas
ualties on both sides, the statement
said.
The Servian war office declared two
Austrian divisions had also failed to
force the KovaAch defile after an all
day'fight on the hanks of the Drna
river.
LONDON. July 31.—The Exchange
Telegraph ompanye dispatch from
Nish, Servia, via Saloniki. says that
up till last night the Austrian invad
ers at Semendria had not succeeded
in forcing the pass held by the Ser
vian troops, possession of which
i would give them access to the Morava
river valley and thus open up a direct
road to Nish. Another dispatch from
Nish to the Exchange Telegraph
, Company says desperate fighting con
| tinues along the river Drina. Both
Austrians and Servians have sus
j tained heavy losses. The Austrian di
visions, after fighting fiercely all day,
failed to force the defile leading to
Plevlis and Friepolie.
VIENNA, July 31.—Austrian fron
tier guards today repelled a strong
attack by Servians near Klotievatz,
on the Bosnian frontier, without sus
taining loss. The Servians lost one
officer and twentyltwo men.
Sjiwial t«» the Evening Star.
IjONDON. .Tuly 31.—-Censorship on
news frnro^ Vietuta was tightened to
day, and there was evidence of diplo
matic censorship in all messages re
ceived from Hrfrvla. The result ie
that all reports were conflicting.
Vienna specials persist that Bel
grade has been occupied by the Aus
trians. Dispatches from Nksh assert
that Invasion by Austrian troops has
been repulsed at all pionts.
Vienna emphasizes the strength of
.Servian resistance. Nish in turn em
phasizes the power of the Austrian
attack.
The government censors on each
side appear to be playing to the
diplomats, pending the Gerraan-Rus
sian crisis.
PANIC AVOIDED AS
FIRE BREAKS OUT
IN CITY HOSPITAL
Nurses Keep News of Blaze
from Patients—Firemen
Work Noiselessly,
A slight fire in the City Hospital
early today was extinguished with
out causing any panic among patients
at the institution. The tire occurred
in the receiving room in the base
ment at the Camdfn street side of the
building, and was caused by the ex
plosion of a small bottle of benzine.
The benzine was being used in
cleaning inplements and the bottle
was uncorked. Fumes from the fluid
became ignited in a small Bunsen
gas burner which stood on the slate
table near the benzine.
Miss Josephine Hoffman, a nurse,
and Henry Singer, an orderly, were
in the room at the time. An alarm
-was quickly turned in from box 6C2,
in the hospital. The blaze was ex
tinguished before the firemen ar
rived.
Singer was burned about the hands
and arms in attempting to smother
the flames with a rubber sheet. The
fire apparatus was turned back as
soon as it arrived, with as little noise
as possible.
Nurses on wards overlooking the
rear court at the hospital were im
mediately notified that the fire was a
slight one and under control.
A detachment of twelve reserve po
licemen under Sergeant Garey were
rushed to the hospital from the Fifth
pl-ecinct station as soon as the alarm
was turned in. Police ambulances
were a’so sent to the hospital from
the Second and Fourth precinct sta
tions.
Wives Get Husbands' Wages
by New Los Angeles Law
LOS ANGELES, July 31.—Nearly
200 long-suffering wives eo'lected their
husbands' wages from the county to
day. Whether the husbands in ques
tion get any of the money depends
entirely upon the willingness of the
wives to declare a division.
The disbursement by the county
was a partial working out of an ex
periment of giving work on the high
ways to men who are cited for failure
to provide for their families, "Mak
ing little ones out of big ones" on a
rook pile is the commonest employ
ment. Each wife receives every cent
of her husband's wages at the end of
the mouth.
DETECTIVE BILL
UNPAID, FORMER
EDITOR IS SUED
Philadelphia Firm Says Thomas
Hired Sleuths to Watch At
lantic City Mayor.
Harvey Thomas, former editor of
the Atlantic City Review, and now
connected w'ith the publicity depart
ment of the Prudential insurance
Company, is the defendant in action
started in the Supreme Court bv th •
John B. Taylor Detective Agency, of
Philadelphia. The detective agency
claims that Mr. Thomas and the At
lantic City Review owes it a bill of
$711.15 for making “certain investi
gations concerning the life, career
and conduct of Mayor Riddle, of At
lantic City.”
The suit is a sequel to the reform
campaign waged by the Atlantic City
newspapers against the municipal ad
ministration.
The investigations by the detec
tives were? made at the direction of
Mr. Thomas, who at the time, was
editor of the Review and presdent
of the company publishing it. the
plaintiff alleges. John B. Taylor,
president of the detective agency,
had a conference with the editor on
May 13. 1913, and three days later
operatives were on the mayor's trail,
the complaint states.
At the time the investigation was
started the complaint states further.
Mayor Riddle had the editor indicted
by the grand jury for alleged libel
lous articles concerning the mayor.
The investigations continued and on
March 1*. 1914. the agency presented
its bill for fees and expenses. The
papers were served on Mr. Thomas
at his office in the Predential build
ing here.
Vienna Papers Forbidden
to Print Belgrade News
VIENNA, July 31,—The police au
thorities have forbidden the publica
tion of extra editions of the news
papers, and even the regular edhions
have not been permitted to refer to
the occupation of Belgrade, which is
still not generally known
The Austrian plan of campaign, it
is understood here, is to attack Ser
via chiefly by way of Bosnia while
the armies on the Danube in the
north simply occupy positions and re
main temporarily inactive.
The course of operations at the
front is not known r.i any way to
the public, and oven officers of the
reserve say they have been given no
information
HAL LAW,
)PS SECRETLY;
TO AVERT WAR
European Capitals Momentarily Ex
pect Announcement That Great
Conflict Has Been Begun.
CONVERSATIONS RESUMED BY
AUSTRIA-HUNGARY AND RUSSIA
No Optimism Over Chances of Agreement
Immense German Army Reported Con
centrating at the French Border.
LONDON, July 31.—Official announcement of the resumption
of the “conversations” at St. Petersburg and Vienna came today at
a moment when pessimism had taken possession of all Europe. The
hope that it might lead to a peaceable solution was grasped with
desperation, but the news was offset later by the proclamation of
martial law in Germany, which was regarded as a preliminary to the
mobilization of the German forces for war.
Everybody then seemed to settle down to await the news that
the great European powers had decided to engage in a struggle
for supremacy. There was nothing to give the public hope that a
general war might be av erted.
The .Stock Exchange in Ixmdon and the big provincial cities,
as well as those on the continent, was closed owing to the break
down of the credit system, which was made complete by the post
ponement of the Paris settlement. This, it was pointed out, would
necessarily be followed by failure of some fifty members of the
Ixindon Stock Exchange.
The precautionary military and naval measures taken by the
British government are almost completed. The prevailing public
opinion here is determined that England must observe her unwrit
ten obligation to assist France in her difficulties with Germany, but
a small body of radicals continues to utter objections to England’s
involving herself in the quarrels of the continental powers.
Spwial lo th«* Evenlni Star.
IiONDON, July 31.—Official Kngland i in momentary expectation of
“ formal declaration of war by Germany against Russia. semi-official
information received Itere shortly after il p.* no states that Germany haa-*^
been officially declared "in a state of war." The latest move places all
railroad. telegraph lines, channel* of communication anti transportation '
directly under the army. The German war department lias now super
seded all civil authority throughout the empire, and while no formal
I announcement „f the fact has yet been made to the imwers. It is gen
erally believed here that th German mobilization i already secretly
under way.
‘HIM
table communication between Berlin and London lias been serious
ly interfered with today and all incoming dispatches bear evidence of
the most rigid censorship. All inquiries from I-ondon newspapers and
news agencies, to the answers to which might in any way shed light on
internal happenings in Germany. the movement of German troops or war
ves els. have gone unanswered. All diplomatic intercourse has appar
ently come to a standstill and every embassy in London lias adopted
a nun-communicative attitude while awaiting the aunnuneement from
Berlin that war has actually been declared.
British military experts are quoted as expressing the belief that
when the actual declaration is made Germany's mobilization will be
shown to have progressed to such a point as lo cau e consternation to ^
the Russian frontier. The detailed information from the Servian scene
of activities is practically nil. Obviuosly Vienna lias clapped on an air
tight censorship and little detailed information from the Balkans is ex
pected until after the Berlin situation has com eto a head.
Speciil to the Kvenlng Mar.
PARIS, July SI.—Germany is mobilizing a tremendous force on the
French frontier, according to late afternoon dispatches. While no mobili
zation orders to the F'rencli army have yet been issued, the barracks and
rendezvous points are crowded with reservists momentarily expecting the
call to arms. Business and trade is at a stand till.
I’aris rages with the uar fever.
BERLIN, July 31.—The Herman foreign office gave assurances this
morning that no mobilization order would he issued in tiermany today.
Officials admitted, however, that the situation had not improved, but
had become rather aggravated since the issue of the Russian mobiliza
tion order. _
It had been generally expected that an order for the mobilization
of the (ierman arm) and navy would be issued in the course of last
night. The government's postponement of this drastic action gave riso
today to hopes that something might happen to avert the necessity of
doing so.
The general feeling throughout tiermany was. however, that only a
miracle rould prevent war. and another anxious day of waiting for a
definite solution of the existing doubts as to whether the crisis would
result in peace or war was (lassed by bankers, business men and the
laboring classes, the latter of whom would have to liear the brunt of
the burden in ease hostilities should be decided on.
Meanwhile the tierman government put forth the greatest exertions
to prevent the spread of alarming rumors nud false news. It ordered
the confiscation of four newspapers which had printed an erroneous re
isirt that mobilization had been ordered and the authorities established
the strictest censorship over news and other dispatches sent from Het
man) to places abroad.
Official quarters found in the Russian ukase calling out the army
reserves, a factor which greatly aggravated the situation and amounted
in their opinion to a direct challenge to Austria-Hungary and tiermany.
tear that in case of tnobiHzation the tierman railroad system would
lie blocked for ordinary traffii caused a number of municipalities to take
steps to Increase the storks of grain in the district wtthin their juris
diet ion. The Berlin city council commissioned a number of firms to
purchase and bring in supplies of grain and flour and many of the cities
near the frontiers followed suit.
THE HAHI E. July 31.—tjueen Wilhclmina. of Holland, this after
noon i sued an urgenl decree ordering the general mobilization of the
Dutch army.
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