TaÌˆgliches Cincinnatier volksblatt. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1885-1919, 1914-10-27

this event furnishes the explanation Of
the affairs with which we are con-
fronted this day.
Russia and Germany had been init
mate friends, to the great disgust of the
German people, who had no love for
Russian despotism. The separation was
brought about by England when, in
1878, the Russians stood before the gat-
es of Constantinople and had com.
PEELED Turkey to sign the peace of San
Stefano which threatened the accom-
plishment OF Russias ambition to seize
Constantinopel, the key to Asia or, as
Napoleon !. called it, the key TO the
world. England landed her troops in
Turkey to prevent the execution 81 the
above mentioned treaty. To prevent a
European war Bismarck interferei and
called q conference of the European
powers to Berlin which excluded Russia
from Turkey and turned over the two
Turkish provinces, Bosnia and Here
gowina, to Austria for pacificatlon.
Russia was extremely CALLED by this
mandate OF Europe. About five Years
later Russia asked Germanys neutrality
in war with Austria, which had Tor
its object TO regain her leading position
in the Balkan and TO wrest Bosnia and
Herzegovina from Austria. This was
positively refused. Thereupon Russia
entered into m alliance with France.
Two furious foes of Germany had united
against her. Germany expected war
AT that time and strengthened her army.
The war cloud might in the course OF time
have scattered when an inausDieiois
event to the peace Of Europe ocnrred.
This was the death OF Queen Victoria
and the ascension OF Edward VII. He
entered into an alliance with France AMI
Russia. This VAS surprising develop
ment in the political constellation Of
Europe. and made great European
war only d question OF time. Three
powerful motive were apparent on the
part of the Entente. The aim OF France
was to regain Aisace-Lorraine, OF Russia
to obtain the supremacy in the Balkan,
to wrest Bosnia and the Herzegovina
from Austria and TO take Constantin
ople, and the aim OF England was to
crush the growing ocean commerce oil
Germany. The assassination OF the
archduke Fran Ferdinand, heir appar-
ent to the throne Of Austria, discharged
the war cloud which had from that time
been hanging over Europe. Austria
demanded from Servia, where the murder
had been hatehed an apology for the
atrociois deed and absolute guarantees
Of an honest q ial OF the ringieader,
a Servian major and his co-conspirat'
ors, also Q definite promise to end the
Servian agitation in the Austrian
countries that led to the murder. The
reply was evasiye and Austrin made
war on Servia. Germany interviewed in
behalf of peace. She besought Russia
to keep out ot the fray. and she ap'
pealed TO France, thronsh England, TO
the same purpose. The answer was
mobilization by all the enemies Of Ger
many. She could no longer be in doubt
what was in store for her and she
struck the first blow. She could not
afford to wait until her ennemies had
completed their preparations to crush
her.
This is a plain and impartial story
OF the origin Of the war. We hope that
American readers viii now admit that
Germany did not seek the war. But
there is another reproach to dispose OF
and that is the violation OF Belgian
neutrality II is our individual view
that considering the fearful odds con.
fronting Germany and that her national
existence was at stake she was justified
in doing everything for her safety.
Necessity knows no law. But Germany
was aware that Belgium had years be-
fore made arrangements with England
for landing her troops on the Belgian
coast. This is confirmed by documents
found in Brussels that have TO this day
not been disputed BY the Belgian gov
ernment
This sketch Of the events that led to
the war ought to satisfy every fair
minded American that no blame for the
stupendous struggle in Europe attaches
to Germany.