Evening star., 1914-07-26
WOULD AFFECT j. S.:
SITUATION ANALYzED
BY DIPLOMATS HERE

The great war cloud that has cast its
shadow over Europe during the past few
days has been carefully watched in
Washington. where. notwithstanding the
general belief that the United States has
little concern in the portentous events
taking place in the near east, it is well
understood that this country will have
a vital interest. if war does come there,
because Of the large number of American
cltlzens residing in the many European
countries that may be involved.
The property rights of these Americans
and grave questions concerned with COM
merce, exports and imports and shipping
will furnish this interest.
1t was understood in Washington last
night that number of the members of
the staffs of European embassies and
legations have made flying trips to Wash
ington during the past few days from the
lished. Some Of these visitors have placed
a reporter for The Washington star in
touch with the causes leading up to the
present European difficulty.
Many Underlying Causes.
In the words Of one person who could
not permit himself. under the circum-
stances, to be quoted:
There are seven reasons why a great
war may come about between European
nations at this time.
THE first of these, and the principal
cause of the trouble. is the friction still
remaining between Germany and France
over Alsace-Lorraine.
THE second is the strong feeling in
Russia against Germany
THE third is the Pan-Slavonic move
ment.
THE fourth is the friction between the
great number Of antagonistic races
bound together under the Austro- Hun
garian empire.
The fifth is the desire of Turkey to
recover the islands off the coast Of
Asia Minor which she lost during the re-
cent war.
'The sixth is the ambition of servia
! to get an outlet to the sea, a port and
to recover all the territory under the old
Servian empire in the 14th century.
THE seventh is the fact that Albania
is fire brand. and that when it was
thought the Balkan war was settled by
the creation of that kingdom such a
settlement was vain hope"
France May Be Behind It.
Persons thoroughly familiar with the
situation in European politics last night
made the statement that France is be-
hind the present difficulty The fact that
she has drawn gold from all over the
! world wherever she could get it lately,
| particularly from the United States, and,
according to noticeable financial reports
| has been boarding it. was cited as an
| instance OF her preparations. 1t Is stated
| that France for more than year has
been trying to bring about the present
| tense situation, because she has never
| abandoned the idea of getting back the
provinces of Alsace-Lorraiue, which she
surrendered as a result of her war with
Germany. and that her diplomacy has
been for some time and is now turning
ON her effort to embroil Russia and
| Germany.
1t is explained that there is hard feel
ing between Russia and Germany be-
cause of the commercial treaty between
I those countries. which expires in two
years. There has been an anti-German
feeling in Russia since the time Of Ivan
the Terrible and Peter the Great, largely
because for no years the Germans have
controlled the trade Of Russia.
Pan-Slavonic Movement.
Austria is greatly disturbed because Of
what is called the "Pan-Slavonic" move
ment. In that country twenty-five Ian
/ guages are spoken and the Slavs consti-
| tute ~ per cent of her population. Aus
/ tria is opposed to Servia acquiring greater
| power because of the effect such acqu1si-
tion would have on the Slav element in
| Austria and in Bosnia and Herzegovina
austria Is not national country. and 1t
would not require great effort on the part
| OF the powers to resolve her into her
elements. Her map-making included the
taking Of slice off of Italy. Germany
and other countries
| In Pennsylvania and in Roumania there
| is the strongest feeling against Austria.
! The Montenegrins are Servlans and Will
do what Servia does The Bulgars are
not Slavic race, but speak the Slavic
| language. The Roumanians are a Slavic
race. but their language is not Slavic.
The Roumanian tongue is of the same
family as the Italian and the French, be-
ing based closely on the Latin.
Austria Blocked Servia.
Servia hopes. at this juncture. If possi-
BILE. by making war. to recover territory
Continued on Second Page.)