The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1914-08-06

.riple alliance. composed or Austria.
Germany and Italy. found valuable
adjunct OF the opposing powers. the
triple entente. composed OF Russia,
Great Britain and France, since the
Balkan league had been the outcome
Of Russian diplomacy. Austria then
set about TO smash up the Balkan
alliance. The result OF this was the
second Balkan war. IN which Servia
and Greece. with Montenegro. we're
pitted against Bulgaria. The latter
county was given all possible assist.
ance by Austria. but Austria was again
due TO be disappointed. for Bulgaria
was sorely defeated.
Besides her troubles abroad. Austria
was having difficulties nj home. Near
" hall Of Austria's population Is alay.
ic. although. Of course, the ruling
forces are Teutonic and Magyar, or
Hungarian. The Serbs of the various
Slavic provinces Of Austria were TO
menting revolution. servia was dream
ing OF regai1ing Bosnia and Herze-
govina. Russian intriguing was max
Ing trouble. and Austria's aid Of Bull
garia had alienated the affections OF
Roumania. which hitherto had been
friendly to the triple alliance. but
which now practically became
part OF the triple entente.
Austria's Small Victory.
AS a result OF II all. Austria gained
but one small victory. By causing
the formation OF the Albanian king.
dom. Austria had prevented Servia
from obtaining seaport, the principal
ambition OF the Slavic monarchy. But
In doing this Austria brought herself
into complication with Italy. which
country had cast envious eyes on Al
bania. and Il looked for a time as II
there would be serious clashes be-
tween the two nations.
Austria then found herself in n
somewhat precarious situation. She
was threatened with destruction,
intrigue. diplomacy and revolution.
On her border she was threatened by
Serb and RoumanIan Russia was q
serious danger in the North. Austria's
only salvation was Germany, and II
Germany would stand by Austria. II
was the opinion of Austrian statesmen
that II would be better for Austria to
settle the Slav question at once with
her armies rather than wait and per
haps be destroyed In the long run. A
demand for war became strong. News
papers and public men were practi-
cally demanding a test OF strength be-
tween the triple alliance and the triple
entente. when the Archduke Ferdi.
nRnd was slain as the alleged result
OF Serb plot, Matched. il was claimed.
in Servia. Austria promptly seized
upon this as n pretext for demanding
q show down"
Situation Different From 1909.
The situation had changed since
1909. Russia was prepared for war.
and II was believed would welcome H.
France was preparing for war. as also
was Great Britain. II Russia came to
the aid OF Servia. II was certain that
Germany would mobilize her armies
In support OF Austria. Germany In
the field would be certain 10 bring
France into the situation, with view
to avenglng herself for the Franco
Prussiau war Great Britain then
would be expected to stand by her al.
lies Of the triple entente. Diplomats
also argued that Great Britain would
consider that Austria and Germany op-
posing Russia. France and the Balkan
States. might triumph. leaving Eng.
land alone to face the question Of Ger
man expansion. and that therefore il
would be better for Great Britain 10
take part In the war and aid Russia.
France and the Balkans in putting a
final end to German and Austrian pow
! er In Europe.