The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-07-30
WAR IN EuRopE


 From the New York Times
 To the rest of the civilized world it seems amazing. almost incredible, that European war of large proportions should be possible at this time. There has been talk again and again of such a var but it has always been averted. This time there has been very little talk; the news of Austria s ultimatum last week shocked and astonished the world. But 1t is difficult to see how hostilities can now be avoided unless the German govern ment sets an example to all future ages by throwing it's powerful influence on the side of peace. The avowed cause does not justify the set. The assassinations ot the Crown Prince and his wife were shamelessly brutal and without purpose but Austria has the murderers and mas the power. without going to war, to guard against the commission of such crimes III the future. The mediaeval challenge sud- denly hurled by the Vienna government practically demanded that SerVia should become a proteetorate of the dual mon- archy. Servias reply to this remarkable message was restrained, dignified and yitlQtQ every Iediiy tSStutldl punt. I hS publication this morning of complete summary of this reply proves that Aus trias continued determination to invade Servia is based on other reasons than those indicated in the ultimatum.
 It will be freely said that Count Berch- told has seized what seemed to him a most propitious opportunity for dealing blow at Pan-Slavism and for strength ening Pan-Germanism, and incidentally reviving the German party in Austria. Taken alone, and disregarding the seem- ingly inevitable consequences to the rest of Europe, it is a propitious opportunity. The Magyars are striving to attain a more equitable political and economic auton- omy. The Slav populations of the dual monarchy are restive under racial, relig- ious and industrial restraint. Servia is weak from her expended energies in the late wars. But the opportunity cannot be considered alone, nor can the larger con sequences of the act be disregarded, even though Germany and Italy, Russia, France and England are at the moment closely occupied with vital internal prob lems of constructive legislation.
 The war that is threatened, if it is not averted, or more strictly "localized' than seems possible if fighting begins, will destroy many thousa lds of lives and make all the countries drawn into it so much poorer that the rest of the world must feel keenly the pinch of poverty. Cities will be devastated and great public works laid waste. The intellectual ad- vance of mankind may be held in check for years Though in this country We may at first benefit pecuniariy, as we may buy back our own securities at low prices, and will surely be called upon to furnish food and other supplies to the contestants, in the long run we too will suffer, as falling markets and the de- struction of property brings permanent good to nobody. Therefore this threat of war cannot justly be regarded as of concern to only the parties involved. It is too late a day in the worlds history for that idea to be >epted. All the nations are bound toget.str by common ties nowadays, even if the theory of uni Nersal brotherhood is ignored.
 Commercially financially the United States must suffer because Austria has made the recent assassinations a pretext for renewing on a large scale her efforts to increase her power in the near east. More than We suffer other nations not in volved in the strife must suffer. The time must come when the world opinion must be considered whenever the question of war arises. Perhaps that time is not far off