New-York tribune., 1914-12-01

answer, which was given to her N
good time and which admitted and ac'
ceptcd hc- principal demands.
Austria Hastens Trouble.
Austria thercupon ordered her Min
lister at Belgrade to leave the Seryian
capital (July 26), and diplomatic rela-
! tions with Servia were severed. With
this development the situation became
considerably aggravated. The powers
Of the Triple Entente. however, still
/ endeavorod to bring about a settle
ment. In the meantime NJ Won Schoen
tie German Ambassador in Paris. came
TO the Quay d'Orsay and demanded
that France exert her influence or
Russia in a peaceful sense, but he re-
fused to exert similar peaceful infu-
ence at Vienna.
England proposed to avoid a crisis
by submitting the Austro-Serb diff
Guilty to the official mediation of the
four powers which were not directly
interested therein. France and Russia
accepted this proposal to international
ize the question. but Germany refused
under the pretext that she could not
thus humiliate her ally, and she pro-
posed. in the place of this common ac-
ton, the opening Of direct converse
tions between Vienna and St. Peters
burg, saying the latter was ready 10
consent TO this arrangement,
"The conflict seemed consequently at
this time to be progressing toward a
settlement, when for the third time
Austria, by a fresh provocation, killed
the hopes authorized by all that had
been done up to the present in the d
rection Of conciiation. She declared
, war on Servia July 28) and began az
/ the same time n partial mobilization
against Russia on her frontiers July
29).
"The chances for peace now seemed
greatly reduced. particularly as the
Austrian army began the lombard
ment Of Belgrade. the occupation OF
which seemed to be nothing more than
a question of hours. The powers OF
the Triple Entente did not, however,
give up all hope of accomplishing
something in these last remaining min
utes. On one side Sir Edward Grey
British Foreign Secretary started a
new project for four-sided mediation,
project in which Russia joined at
the demand of France. VI. Won Jagow,
to whom this project was communi-
Gated, evaded il by declaring that while
he adhered TO its principle il was
necessary to find formula that would
be acceptable to Austria. He was then
invited to formulate himself a pro-
posal Of settlement, but he again avoid
ed the issue by saying that he would
consult the Vienna Cabinet on this
point.
Grey Offers New Plan.
"Sir Edward Grey, whose spirit Of
conciliation seemed indefatigable, then
came forward with a new compromi-
sary proposition, which provided that
all the powers should call halt to
their military preparations. Further
more, Russia gave a fresh evidence of
her desire TO maintain the peace of
Europe by offering to maintain an atti-
tude Of expectation if Austria would
engage not to undertake any measures
directed against the sovereignty OF
Servia, even after having occupied Bel
grade.
at was then that the Cabinet OF
Vienna. perhaps fearful of the conse-
quences of its irreconcilability and
feeling the necessity of taking step
backward, declared for the first time
that il was ready to discuss with Eu-
rope the fundamental principle OF its
difference with Servia. AT the very
moment that this work in the direc-
tion OF reciprocal concessions seemed
20 warrant last hope of peace an ir-
reparable movement on the part OF
Germany promised TO endanger deli
nitely the results acquired with so
much labor and to force the crisis to
a violent solution.
AT the beginning of the conflict TINS
power, Germany, had commenced mill
tary preparations, and she continued
them with feverish haste. At the very
moment when her representatives, III
foreign countries were protesting her
pacific intentions, the 3lst OF July, In
the evening, Germany addressed TO the
Russian government an ultimatum Civ
ing Russia twelve hours in which to
demobilze on her Austrian az well az
on her German frontiers. The alterna-
tive was that Germany would mobilize.
This was done at time when the Rus
sian government had given evidence OF
its conciliatory attitude and at time
when Austria Hungary was showing
herself disposed to discuss with Eu-
rope the question OF her note TO Ser
via.
"There could be no doubt as to the
answer to such an ultimatum. From
that moment the cause OF peace was
definitely lost, the reason being TINS
precipitate action on the part OF Ger,
many. The obligations OF alliances had
10 be observed. and the great powers
were drawn into the fatal conflict.
Germany Starts Hostilities.
"Events. which then took place are
fresh in the memory OF every one. On
July 81 there were acts of hostility
clearly defined, on our frontier; Au-
rust 2 saw the violation of the neutral
i.y of Luxemburg and the entrance by
German troops upon three points OF
our territory. while our troops were
holding themselves at distance OF ten
Kilometres (six miles from the from
tier. The same day Belgium was sum
moned TO permit Germany's military
operations against France. Finally, on
August 9, the declaration Of war was
brought BY NJ. von Schoen 10 the qua
G'Orsay, which act preceded by short
time only the violation Of the neutral-
ity Of Belgium.
"In the light Of the documents con-
tanned in this Yellow Book the roles