The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-07-27
Eruption Is Likely to Occur a'
Any Hour.
Preparations for War GOlne
Forward in All Quarters.
FIGHTING HAS COMMENCED
Servians Fire on Austrian
Troops ON the Danube.
Greece Will Back Servia With
100000 Men.

War which threatens to he the most
appalling in known human history Inn.
pends over all Europe ooe'''y
The century old hatred OF the SERBS
and the Austrians. each Tor the Otner
growing ont of the struggle OF tnc
Serbs for unity and freedom, In wnicn
Austria through her possession Oh ser
xinn nroyinces effectually bars the
ihe impassioned rage OF the Ser
yians that they have thrown OF the
woke of the Turk in territory once nei0
by the sultan have been unable 70 win WI.
one foot of ground or Single suDJcc'
from the dual monarchy.
The. deep resentment OF Austria nj
the murder of the archduke Francis
Ferdinand. heir to the throne ON june
2S through u Servian plot, wnicn
brought all the long smOuldering bit
terness of the two peoples to cnmax.
The ultilnatum delivered to Servla
by Austria demanding punishment 1or
the archduke's sIayers.
Scrvia's reply. termed Dy inc Aus-
trian foreign office as "unsatisfac-
tory"
and italy into the crisis by Russia's
determination to block any change In
the balance of power In the i5aIkans'
usc her armies to this end makes that
great empire in effect an ally OF Ser
via and in turn draws France 10 sup
port the Russian standard through an
offensive and defensive alliance.
Russia's cspOusal of the Serv1an
cause automatically brings into play
the triple alliance in which Germany
and Italy are bound to rally to the
support of their ally, Austria.
Y,,1~
Hungary state that Servian troops on
board a steamer on the Danube. near
Temes- -Kubin. have fired on Austrian
troops. The Austrians eturned the
fire and as's engase semept of Importance
ensued.
The encounter occurred near Semen
dria, "a miles southeast Of Belgrade,
where vessels conveying Austrian in
fantry were said to have been fired
on from the Servian side of the Dan
ube, and ret the fire.
Greece to Back Servfa-
Constantinople, July 27.-The Greek
minister today declared that in the
event of war between Austria-Hun-
gary and Servia, Greece would be
compelled to despatch 100000 troops
to the assistance Of Servia.
Hope Lies In e-lin.
st. Petersburg, July 27.-In spite OF
the general ulfavorable symptoms in
the situation between Austria Hun
gary and Servia, and the effect pro-
duced by the Arrest in Hungary OF
General Radomir Putnik, chief of the
Servian general staff. a be tier feeling
was noticeable here today as the re.
suit of Sundays diplomatic conversa-
tions. It is understood that the Ions
interview between Sergius Sazonoff
the Russian foreign minister, and the
Austrian ambassador especially wa.
responsible for this improvement OF
sentiment. This meeting was desired
by both sides.
The fact that Vienna does not re.
fuse to discuss the points at issue /.
interpreted as a happy symptom.
1t is still hoped there that the voic,
of Berlin may be heard at the oppor
tune moment in the interest of peace
England as Peacemaker.
London. July 27.-It was reported to-
day that Sir Edward Grey, British
fol- cign secretary had made representa-
ticns to Germany, italy and France. to
a conference among the representative
of those countries in England on tn
Austro-Servian situation with a viev
to cooperating.
The Itllian and German ambassa dor
here saw Sir Edward Grey this morn
ing, with what result could not b.
aScertained.
The men.b bers OF the foreign diplo
matte corps and officials of the Britis]
foreign office were early astir. 81
Edward Grey. like Premier Asquith. Gu
short his weekend vacation and reache
London early in the morning. Afte
conferences with W;pctcr
Churchill. first lord of the admiralt,
and Premier Asquith Sir Edward re
ceived 'he Italian ambassador wit
whom he had long talk. It is under
stood that an endeavor was made dur
ing this conference to avert a resort t
arms by Austria-Hungary and Servis
What It's All About
If the present attitude of Austria to
ward Servia plunges the two nation
irto war, the object long sought b
Austria will have been attained Ans
tria views with apprehension the ris
of Slav power on her southern tol
der. She wants war now while Servi
Is comparatively weak.
For 100 years by every art known I
diplomacy. by craft and force. by coyu
mercial discrimination and confirm.
menace OF war. the HapsburR empir
has hampered the development of ~.
Servian nation.
fear Servia, since that nation is tn
nucleus of great people. Servi
proper, even with the accessions .
territory which resulted from the Ra
kan war, has only some 6,oOO.O0o II
habitants; But IN Montenegro an
: Albania, in Bosnia and Herzerovir
and in Hungary are twice as mar
more. Today Servia is one of the mo
thoroughly organized military states
Europe and SO systematic has been II
extension OF the Pan Serb propagand
amone tne siav peoples Of Austri,