Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1914-08-06
WAR;

What may be the greatest war TINS
world has ever known has been started
in Europe. For years the great European
nations have been arming themselves tor
what seemed to them to be an inevitable
conflict, and now the grim dogs OF war
have all been let loose.
The cause of the outburst seems conf
paratively trifling to bring about so terri
BILE war. A few weeks ago the crown
prince of Austria and his wife were as
sassinated by members of secret poilti-
cal order in Servia. Austria, witt lew
preliminaries, declared war against Ser
via. Russia, many of whose subjects are
Slays. warned Austria against making
war against their brethren in Servla.
Germany, ally of Austria, quickly took
I'D the quarrel against Russia, and last
Saturday declared war against the latter
country.
France, Russia and Great Britain are
allied as friends in the triple entente.
Ever since the great war OF 1870, when
Germany overwhelmed France and took
as war indemnity the huge sum OF $780,
0O0, 900 francs and the two provinces OF
Alsace and Lorraine, France and Germany
have hated each other. Now when
Germany declares war against Russia, the
spark is struck to start another great con-
flagration German troops invaded
France and French soldiers trespassed
upon German territory. Monday both
France and Germany declared war, and
the ambassadors OF both governments
were recalled. The Germans invaded
Belgium in a movement 10 quickly get an
army on French soil. BY a treaty held
sacred for many years, Belgium has been
regarded as a neutral and independent
State by the nations of Europe. When
Germany violated these treaty rights the
past week, Belgium resisted and appealed
TO Great Britain for protection. The an
swer of the British was prompt and de-
ciSive, an uItimatum being sent TO Ger
many to remove her troops from Belgium
and give an explanation within twelve
hours. The German government refused
TO accede to this demand, and in a note TO
Belgium declared its intention to carry
out by force OF arms if necessary its in
tention TO invade France by way OF Bel
GUM. The plucky Belgians answered
this defiance by voting defense fund OF
$40, 100000 TO resist invasion and imme-
diately setting in force measures to mo-
bilize an army of go, 900 men. The re-
DIV OF Great Britain was aformal declara-
ton of war against Germany, and Parlia-
ment voted war fund of $525, 100000.
The scene is thus set for war the re-
suit of which no man can foretell,s so fear
full is the prospect of bloodShed and de-
struction OF property. Great Britain,
France, Russia and Servia are in alliance
with each other, while opposed to them
is the great fighting machine OF the Ger
man Empire and Austria Hungary. Italy,
in the triple alliance with Germany and
Austria, has announced that she will be
neutral in the conflict now begun. ia
pan, on the other hand, declares that she
will support Great Britain with her army
and navy. The United States is ofcourSe
directly affected by the war, as is indeed
the whole world. President Wilson on
Tuesday issued proclamation announc-
ing the neutrality of the United States.
Ii is announced that there are now in
Europe fully 100000 citizens OF the Uni
ted States, most OF whom are tourists.
AS all the railroads have been seized by
the government authorities in the several
countries, and as no vessels are leaving
port, many OF these people are stranded
and helpless. The United States gov
eminent will send large sum OF money
and number OF officials from this coun-
try TO Europe TO relieve the necessities OF
our people, the armored cruiser Tennes-
see carrying some 100000 in gold as a
relief fund. Our government will also
charter as many vessels as may be need
ed to bring back Americans. All OF the
European nations being involved in the
war only vessels of neutral country can
with safety sail the high seas.
Enormous armies are being modified
by all the nations involved in the fray.
The German Emperor asks for fund of
81 ,25O,OOO,0O0 with which TO prosecute
the war.