Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 183, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 August 1914 — ENGLAND DECLARES WAR ON GERMANY [ARTICLE]

ENGLAND DECLARES WAR ON GERMANY

Kaiser Beelines to Observe Belgian Neutrality and Or eat Britain Enters Oonfikt. The epitome’of today’s war news is contained in the brief message: England declares war on Germany. The details of preparation, the reported small engagements, the threatened naval, battles have interest only as inciden ts of the impending conflict, but in the declaration of war by England lies the potent fact that the war is actually to be fought and that devastate and all the horrors of a great conflict are now inevitable. England desired, to remain out of the fray. Not through cowardice, but because it was wise enough to realize the frightful consequences of such a war, but Germany, apparently mad in Its desire for a war involving all the countries of Europe, refused to observe the neutrality of Belgium and Its reply to the English ultimatum was so unsatisfactory that aH England seems to back up the British government. Germany, Ip a high state of preparedness, has its great armies so in Russia and France and will quite probably have some victories before the union of the three powers, England, France and Russia can get well started. Father Nicholas Krull, of the Indian School, here, was in Germany last year and he stated Tuesday that he can not believe that a general conflict will result, notwithstanding the fact that they are already so far involved. He stated, that Germany was in a fine state of preparation for wax, however, and that all officers of the army had for a long time been in possession of sealed orders to be opened only In the event of a declaration of wax and which contained instructions for the movement of all troops, all carefully figured out by the general staff of the army. So carefully had this been undertaken that It is expected to give Germanya great initial advantage If seems quite sure that in the long run Germany would be placed at the mercy of the other countries and that the result might be the end of Germany as a monarehial form of government. That the United States will be affected in its commercial relations is sure. The first effect was to send the price of grain up many points. Then came the realization that the the troubled countries and the price fell again. 'Provisions for armies are contraband of war and shippers here iwlM not assume the risks. Probably advantages will be offered In South America and the far east which our commercial interests will take advantage of The loss of revenue from customs is apt to require means of internal revenue in the United States.

I_ Measures are being taken to guarantee protection to all United States citizens to foreign countries and" to secure their safe passage back to the United States. Probably nothing more serious than a delay and the expenditure of considerable money will result. Trading and passenger vessefts from foreign countries which were in American waters have been putting Into American ports for fear of attack and capture. Two small German vessels are reported captured by France. _ Italy still declares that it wiU remain neutral, although Germany is trying to get its aid. President Wilson has issued a proclamation of neutrality, thereby doing what practically every American citizen regards ihis duty. Japan gives some indication of anxiety to get into the affair as an ally of England. ' It is expected that English and German navies will engage in a fight any moment and possibly a fight may be raging today.