Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-01
BLAME soUAREEY
PUT ON GERMANY
BY YELLOW BOOK

AoAi Ahol uBC.t
by submitting the Austro -Sorb dim.
Guilty to the official mediation OF the
four powers which were not directly
Interested therein. Franco and Russia
accepted this proposal to international-
izo tho question, but Germany refused,
under the pretext that she could not
thus humiliato her ally, and she pro-
posed tho opening OF direct conversa-
lions between Vienna and st. Peters-
consent to this arrRng ement. The con-
fitct seemed, consequently. at this time
to be progressing toward settlement,
when, for the third time. Austria, by q
fresh provocation. killed the hopes au-
thorised by all that had been done IN
the direction OF coneiliation. sho de-
clnred war on Servin (July as), and
began at tho same time n partial mobil.
ization against Russia on her frontiers
(July 20).
CHANCES FOR PEACE
ARE GREATLY REDUCED
The chances for peace now seemed
greatly reduced, particularly as the
Austrian army began tho Donibardment
OF Belgrade. The powers OF the triple
entente did not. however. give up all
hops OF accomplishing something In
these last remaining minutes. On ono
side. Sir Edward Grey, British Foreign
Secretary. started new project for
four-sidcd mediation. project in
which Russia Joined ut the demand Of
France. NJ Won Jagow, to- whom this
project WINS communicated. evaded It
by declaring that itAwas necessary to
find formula that would be acceptable
to Austria. He was then invited to
formulate himself>a proposal OF settle
ment, but he again avoided the ISSUE
"Sir Edward Grey, whose spirit OF
Cancellation seemed interchangeable, then
came forward with new compromis-
Dry proposition which provided that
all the powers should call halt TO
their military preparations. Further
more. Russia gave q fresh evidence of
her desire to maintain the peace of
Europe by offering to maintain an at
titude OF expectation IL Austria would
engage not to undertake any measures
directed against the sovereignty Of
Servia; even after having occupied Bel
grade. So
ut was then that tho Cabinet OF
Vienna declared 1t was ready to dis
cuss with Europe the fundamental
principle OF its difference with Servia
at the very moment that this work
seemed to warrant last hope OF peace,
nm irreparable movement on tho part
of Germany promised to- endanger defi-
nitely the results acquired with so
much labor, and to forco the crisis to
a violent solution.
GERMANY PREPARES
WITH FISvERIsH HASTE
cat tho beginning OF the conflict
Germany had commenced military
preparations. and she continued them
when her representatives In foreign
countries were protesting her pacific
Intentions, the 31st OF July, In the OVEN
Ing. Germany addressed to the Russian
government an ultimatum giving Rus
sin twelve hours in which to demobilize
on her Austrian as we'll ns on her Ger
man frontiers. The alternative was
that Germany would mobilize.
There could be no doubt as to tho
answer to such an ultimatum. From
that moment the cause OF peace was
definitely lost. tho reason being this
precipitate action on tho part of Ger
many. The obligations of all alliances
had to be observed. and the great
powers wero drawn into the fatal con-
iict
Events which then took place arc
fresh in the memory OF every one. On
the 31st OF July there were acts OF
hostility, clearly defined, on our from
tier; the "a OF August saw tho viola
ton OF the neutrality OF Luxembourg
and the entrance by German troops
upon thrae points OF. our territory,
while our troops wero holding them.
selves at a distance Of ten kilometres
(six miles) from the frontier. The
Same day Belgium was summoned to
permit Germany's military operations
against France. Finally, on the Sd OF
August, the declaration Of war WINS
brought by NJ. Won Schoen to the Quay
d'orsay. which act preceded by short
time only the violation Of the neutrality
OF Belgium.
"In the light OF the documents con-
tained I'm this yellow book, the roles
played by the different powers in this
crisis show up with striking clearness.
It Is scarcely necessary again to en-
phasize the responsibilities OF Austria.
primal cause OF the conflict. Tho re-
sponsibilities OF Germany arc even
moro crushing, in spite os the fact
that in the beginning sho stood for
the secoyd plan.
VOICED HER IGNORANCE
Of CONTENTS OF NOTE
From the beginning. Germany de-
clared that she was in Ignorance OF the
servia). but, ut tho same time. sho
voiced her resolve to approve 1t and
sustain all its pretensions.
when tho Russian government
showed that public opinion and the
historic traditions OF Russia did not
permit Il to turn deaf ear to tho
fate OF Servia, Germany endeavored to
forco France by intimidation. to as.
sociate herself with the eXertinG influ-
ence OF st. Petersburg. but, at tho same
time, she refused to undertake like
steps at Vienna.
when Sir Edward Grey proposed
four power mediation, tho German
government refused to consider his
proposal.
when finally Germany perceived,
In spite OF all her diintory proceedings,
that the, conflict was progressing to-s
ward settlement to be. effected by
the conciliatory efforts OF Russia and
England. which finally had been uc-,
copied by Austria Hungary. she pre-
cipitntod tho rupture by hurting at
Russia an ult!matum couched in un-
acceptable terms.