The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-10-02
BY W. q. FOUIkE.

The events which Immediately pre-
ceded the war seem to me more like
the working out of the DEGREES of des-
tiny than as revealing a conscious pur-
pose on the part of either Germany or
Russia to drive all Europe into this
struggle. There was indeed one ma
ton that wanted war and was bound
to have it and that was Austria, but
the war Austria wanted was with Ser
via alone, and neither Austria nor Ger
many seemed to believe that Russia
would take up arms on Servia's be-
half. Inc white book published by the
British government, containing Eng
lands diplomatic correspondence pre-
ceding the war, shows pretty clearly
how the thing came about
No doubt Servian officials partici-
pated in the murder of Archduke Fer
dinand but how far the whole people
should be held responsible for this or
for the general anti-Austrian agitation
in Servia is more questionable. Ser
via was evidently sharp thorn in Aus.
trials side and Austria was determined
to punish her severely. The ultima
tum sent to Servia to be answered
within two days was one which no in
dependent self-respecting government
could accept. 1t was drawn up for the
purpose of bringing on war. Yet Ser
via presumably under Russias ad-
vice. actually accepted nearly all Of
it's humliating conditions, but was un-
willing to consent to having Austrian
officers cooperating in the investiga-
ton and prosecution of Servian Off
GERS and subjects for acts done upon
Servian territory. We should ourselves
certainly refuse to permit any tribunal
composed in part of foreigners to pass
upon the guilt of Americans for acts
done upon American soil. Yet, even
this condition, so injurious to her indie
pendence, Servia offered to submit to
The Hague tribunal But Austria
would have none of this. She declared
the reply was insincere and declared
war.
Russia Against War.
From the fact that Russia advised
Servia to go so far in submitting to
Austrian demands, it looks as if Rus
STA at this stage of the proceedings did
not desire an armed conflict. Doubt
less this conciliatory attitude encour-
aged Austria to believe that Russia
would not take up arms for Servia.
But in this Austria was mistaken The
oCl NlduS al z q oldN PCopAOp hAluI GU "
the Russians, over whom the Car has
assumed protectorate, and there was
strong popular feeling in Russia on
their behalf, just as there had been a
strong popular demand in Austria that
the Servians should be punished. The
beginnings Of this great war cannot be
laid altogether to the interests or in
trigues of the rulers. There were pop
ular movements behind them at least
in Austria and Russia.
In the earlier stages of the diff
Guilty Germany might have prevented
the war by exerting strong pressure
upon Austria to modify the terms of
her ultimatum or to arbitrate but this
Germany was unwilling to do, prob
ably believing that Russia would not
intervene and also influenced, no
doubt, by the controlling consideration
that if she restrained Austria in a mat
ter so close to the national feelings Of
the dual monarchy there would be a
| breach Of confidence between her ally
and herself and that she could not
count on Austria's support when she