The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-26
The Development OF the situation
In EurOpc.

the Triple Entente, stand face to face
with the obvious possibility that war
may result from the clash Of rival pur-
poses. To-day Russia, France and
Great Britain are In one camp, Ger
many, Austria and Italy In the other
and between the two lies the old ques-
ton of European balance OF power.
III 1909, when Austria annexed Bos-
mia, France. Great Britain and Rus
STA protested. The annexation was in
fact an express violation of the agree
ment made in the great Congress VI
Berlin after the Russo-Turkish war. II
not merely increased the territory of
a member of the Triple Alliance but II
extinguisbed the hope of little Slnv
State racially, politically, religiousy
related to Russia.
At the critical moment in 1909 Ger
many appeared "in shining armor,"
declared for Austrian purposes and
threw her sword into the balance.
Russia and her allies were unready
for war and were compelled to ac-
cept the crushing and humiliating de-
feat-but the consequences Of the de-
feat were manifold. From that hour
began Russian intriguing In the
Balkans to promote that unity which
was presently to destroy Turkey.
In 1911. when Germany sent her wAr
ship TO Agadir. the two groups @,me
Into collision again. In 1909 Germany
had threatened Russia: In 1911 she
meuaced France. demanding as the
price of recognition of French pro-
tectorate in Morocco huge territorial
grants for herself But this time the
Triple Entente was less compliant
British fleets assembled, Russian ar
mics were modified, and finally LLOYD
GEORGE made tho memorable speech
which amounted to n warning to Ger.
many that England stood with France.
Then 1t was Germany's turn to yield.
as 1t had been Russia's In 1909. Some
territorial gain she did make in the
swamps of the Ubanghi, but Morocco
became French, German prestige was
terribly shaken, and the passionate re-
|
found expression ever since In the
press and in the utterances of many Of
her public men.
The defeat Of the Triple Alliance
in Morocco was quickly followed by
disa sters more serious. Italy went to
Tripoll and In making war upon Tur-
key attacked Power regarded in Ger
many as an ally, whose army. German
trained, was confidently expected TO
stand with the Triple Alliance on the
great day of European conflict.
Defeated by Italy, Turkey was next
compelled To face the alliance of the
Balkan States, whose union was the
direct product OF Russian diplomacy.
, With the victories of Lule Burgas, Ku-
manovo and cnidje-VardGr. Turkish
, power In Europe collapsed and the
small Balkan States, increased by great
territorial gain. stood on Austrias
southern frontier barring her road TO
the .Fgean, and In the case Of Servia
threatening to play the role on the
Danube that Sardinia had played on
the 20 and unite the southern Slavs
as Sardini2 united Italy.
To prevent this Austria rcsorted Ia
desperate tactics. Like Germany, she
had expected Turkish victory, and the
. Osmani ruin found her unprepared
Toward Servia she adopted bullying
, tactics. To break up the Balkan ALI
. ance. which WAS in fact Il Russian ere
alton and an adjunct OF the Triple
Entente, she promoted the dlssenslor
among the Balkan allies which result.
5 ed In the second war,
But again Austria backed the wrong
{ horse. Not only was Bulgaria defeated
l and Servia still further increased in
. territory and in prestige, but Austrian
= support for Bulgaria had alienated Ru
: mania, hitherto the steadfast friend OF
+. the Triple Alliance, and precisely a'
$ the Servians began to dream of regain
J. ing Bosnia and Herzegovina I,umania
r cast enyious eyes on the millions OF
r Rumanians IN Hungary,
b Meantime, as the situation OF Aus
tria had been compromised abroad, 4
/ was weakened at home. Half the popu
o lation of the Dual Monarchy Is Slav
I but the ruling races nre German an'
= Magyar Austrian bullying Of Servii
n provoked protest, riot, disorder, n
= home. In Bohemia, Croatia, Galicia
e Slav populations protested in vain, bn
J. found cause for hope, and enthusiasm
4 In the triumph Of the Serb.
Q Only one diplomatic triumph Austrii
n brought home in her campaign. Ser
:, Wan aspirations for window on tn,
!. sea" were thwarted and the Albanian
e kingdom was created. But no soone
t had It been created than the rival am
c billions Of Italy and Austria began t
l. clash and European observers forecas
d n quarrel between Austria and Ital
g such as Schleswig- IIolstein provoke
IS between Italy and Austria.
Is Thus, on the edge Of the presen
t crisis the Triple Alliance found itsel
Is in badly weakened condition. Aus
IT tria on her southern boundary was cor
e. fronted with Serb and Rumania