TaÌˆgliches Cincinnatier volksblatt. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1885-1919, 1914-12-10

on Servia TO punish the conspirators
who Matched the assassination Of the
Austrian heir apparent in that
country and in which high Seryian Off
GERS were implicated, also to give salts
factory guarantees for the cessation OF
seryia's practice to incite the Servians
inhabiting number Of Austrian
provinces, to rebellion. These demands
were contested under various pretexts
This in itself would not have brought
on the war. The cause was OF a weight.
Ter nature. The Austrian government
noticed preparations for war both in
Servia and in Russia. This compelled
speedy action. Austria issued an ulti.
matum commanding compliance with her
demands within two days. Servia
attempted to delay the answer, in the
meanwhile continuing her mobilization.
Thereupon Austria proceeded to war. II
is now said that if Germany had in.
formed Austria that she could not ex-
pect any support, the war could have
been aycrted. The fact is that Austria
demanded no support. She was fully
able TO settle her grievance against Ser
via. All she wanted was to be let alone.
But Russia interiered in behalf OF Ser
via, of which interference the latter was
apprised beforehand or she would never
have dared to trife with an opponent
OF overwhelming superiority. Upon this
Intervention, Austria pledged herself to
refrain from all annexation and to
exact only the guarantees which she had
right and was bound to insist upon
that Servia terminate the agitation, dan.
gerous to the peace and safety of
Austria. Russis's reply was an exten-
sive mobilization Of her armed forces.
This, OF course. compelled Germany to
make counterpreparations for she could
not allow her ally 10 be crushed, Ger.
many's fate being inseparably bound up
with that Of Austria. While preparing
for war, Germany made every imagin-
able effort to preserve the peace of
Europe. She engaged herself to de-
mobilize il Russia would do the same.
When this was refused. she implored
France and England 10 remain neutral.
When this, too, was refused she could
no longer be In doubt that the greatest
powers Of Europe had determined on
her ruin and she struck the first blow
TO give her adyerssries no further time
for completing their preparations.
We should think that this statement
Of incontroyertible facts 10 satisfactory
proof that the war was not originated
by Germany because she struck the first
blow.
Now we come TO the other charge
that Germany violated Belgium's neu-
trality. We read the statement that
Germany had pledged herself by treaty
TO respect that neutrality. This is not
true. The treaty in question expired by
its own limitation in 1873. As TO the
ordinary neutrality, Germany had well
founded suspicion that Belgium had un'
neutralized herself by an agreement with
England obligating herself TO prepare
for the landing and provide for an army
OF 100000 English soldiers. This suspi'
cion was confirmed by the discovery
Of documents in the secret archives OF
the government at Brussels. But there
were visible indications that Bel
gium would or could not preserve her
neutrality. among them the appearance
Of French forces at the Belgian border.
Germany, confronted with struggle for
life and death against the strongest nat
ions Of Europe. could not take chances
that Belgium could or would prevent
French and English armies from march
ing through her territory TO get in the
rear OF the German armies, fighting in
France, which would have signified their
utter destruction. But mindful as ever
OF her duty she requested the right OF
passing her troops through Belgium,
promising full indemnity for all damage
that might thereby accrue. Being ref
used this permission she was compelled
to take il, and the facility with which
Belgium was overrun amply justified the
fears that the military resources OF Bel
GUM We're Insufficient to protect Ger
many against an attack from that
quarter. This statement shows that the
invasion Of Belgium was not an act OF
wanton disregard Of her neutral rights
but an overwhelming necessity, and as
the subsequently discovered documents
prove, Germany escaped destruction by
following the dictates Of selfpreservation
which exculpate individuals, let alone a
nation.
a, sa Es..A A...L.~~ .