El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-08-22
AUSTRIA DID
NOT EXPECT
Great war
Began Attack on Servia, Be
heving European Arma-
geddon Impossible.
SELF DELUSION WAS
QUICKLY DIssIPATED

Y 7 JENNA, Austria, Aug. 22.-Austris
" launched her war against Servia
with almost complete conviction
on the part Of the people that a Euro
pean armageddon was impossible. The
general conflict which has resulted
has astounded even well informed citi-
zens Of the dual monarchy.
The self delusuion is only compar-
able to the state Of mind Of Paris on
the eve Of the Franco-Prussian war
The French were sure they would
have the assistance Of Austria and the
south German states. Equally conf
dent two weeks ago were the Aus
TRANS and Hungarians that in any
event they would have the support OF
Italy and that Great Britain would
withhold her aid from France and Rus
sia-
Sir Edward Grey's Warning.
For instance, on July IS the Vienna
New Free Press quoted Sir Edward
Grey's warning in the British house
OF commons that the AustrO-Servian
war might end in Europe's greatest
catastrophe II commented;
such is the proposition Of the Brit
ish leader. which he made without
q
other governments concerned, because
he hoped TO prevent a clash between
Austria Hungary and Russia, which
might end in one OF the greatest
catastrophes that ever visited the con
tinent We are glad to emphasize the
fact that the state secretary spoke
only Of a catastrophe on the CONT
nent. from which it is manifest that
England in no case viii be drawn into
TIE next 5av appeared in the same
newspaper a light-hearted article from
the pen of count julius Andrassiy, for
mer cabinet minister and prominent
Hungarian ne said
Il hold it 10 be a clear impossible
ity that France and even Russia viii
take the frightful risks involved in a
world war merely an order 10 hlnoer
the suppression OF those movements
which in recent years have come 10
notice in Servia, which have now
brought the danger Of world war
near and watch no civilized man can
defend Ny confidence in the preser-
walton Of peace is strengthened BY the
attitude OF our allies Most especially
by the attitude of the German people
and the German kaiser The correct
and loyal attitude Of Italy also irn-
proves the prospects OF peace A world
war is not necessary. On the contrary
I believe il Is not even probable, and
whoever would without unavoidable
necessity. even on the SurpOSlLlOus Lu1l
a test OF strength will some day come,
conjure up the horrors Of q world war
TO terrify humanity would take upon
himself a fearful responsibility"
This was July %. On August / the
counts 'improbability" became an
actually in Germany's declaration OF
war upon Russia nd Italy's correct
and friendly attitude" was soon seen
in its true guise-
OF the slight possibility France and
Great Britain would be drawn to sup
port the car the New Free Press said:
England Was NIisjudEed.
England has the strongest disin-
clination TO let herself be driven into
a war for Servia. In the speech OF
the secretary Of state (Sir Edward
Grey), there was no word Of excuse
for Servia- France has no desire for
war, which cannot possibly be popu-
lar, because the real cause OF the war
will be the murder at SarajevO and
because no Frenchman viii understand
why he should sacrifice his property
and blood for Servia and let himself
be drawn by Russia into a war in
which nobody could maintain that the
Russian government has a really vital
interest"
The Austro-Hungarian nation has
had a rude awakening.