New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-09-20
Germany's Aggression and the Na
tional Sentiment Behind 1t.

oDoo IN tho crisis preceding the war, confirms
strongly the impression made by the corresponding
summaries already issued by the British and Ger
man Foreign Offices. 1t is not difficult to nix re-
snonsibiity for the diplomatic deadlock which made
var inevitable. 1t was not accident that put Ger
many in the position of starting Worldwide con
aict by declaring war on Russia. Germany was the
oggressor throughout, in fact as well as in FORM
and there is nothing in the diplomatic correspond
epce published so far-her own white Book IN
clnded-to show that she was willing to make any
concessions whatever for the sake of preserving the
worlds peace.
German diplomacy was sadly at fault in thinking
that Europe could be browbeaten into countenanc-
inc Austria. Hungary's punitive expedition" into
Servia. Just as it had submitted to Austria-liun
garys appropriation of Bosnia and Herzegovina IN
defiance Of the provisions of the Treaty of Berlin.
So confident of their ability to bluff Russia were
Herr Won Bethmann- Hollweg and Herr Won Jasow
that they never took the trouble to inform them
selves Of the attitude of Italy the third partner N
the Triple Alliance They gave Count Won Berch-
told in Vienna free hand in dealing with Servia,
and when Austria-H Hungary declared war on Seryia
Germany encouraged her to say to the Triple En-
tente powers, asking a suspension of action that
modification was under way and could not be coun-
fernandez.
In order to be in a position to argue on eqia
terms with Austria Hungary Russia began parual
mobilization The immediate effect OF that move
was to make the Vienna government more con
ciliatory. Germany, however refused to coulsel
Austria Hungary to submit the issue with Seryla
10 conference of the European powers, suggesting
instead that Russia and the Dual Monarchy try to
reach settlement by direct negotiation Yet while
encouraging this renewal Of ordinary diplomatic
activities Germany began to take umbrage at Rus
sa's mobilization, and without waiting for Vienna
and St Petersburg to reach an agreement by peace
full means issued on July 81 an ultimatum demand
ing that Russia preparations should cease Ih2
next day the Kaiser declared war.
Here are Russia's two offers to Francis Joscph'S
government, as given in the "Orange Book
ron July Sol If Austria, recognizing that the Aus
tro-Servan question has assumed the character OF
European question, declares herself ready 10 elm-
mate from her ultimatum the points aimed AT lhe
sovereign rights of Servia, Russia agrees 10 cease
he ON JniS xii If Austria consents to stop the
march of her armies upon Servan territory and H.
recognizing that the Austro-Servan conflict mas as
sumed the character OF question OF European inter
ct sbe admits that the great powers shall examine
the satisfaction which Serva should accord TO the
Austro-Hungnrian government without threatening
n. ~ a
STA engages to preserve her attitude
Under the circumstances these were liberal sug-
ooations Of compromise But Austria Hungary
never had a chance to consider them seriously.
After the Kaiser's ultimatum was issued, on July
81, they became mere scraps of paper interesting
only for historical purposes
Germany plunged into war without regret and
even without counting the cost because her people
"a considerable leaven among the Social Demo
Gratis excepted-had yielded to the insidious gospel
Of mllitaristic ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. Events since the
war have shown what any one really acquainted
with conditions in Germany must have anticipated
the solidarity Of all classes but one in support
Of the governments aggressive policy. Those who
expected protest against militarism from the pro
fessional and bourgeois classes-from the univer-
stiles and the centres Of commerce-did not appre-
ciate the change which had come over German so
ciety since the days when political liberalism Of
the old sort was in fashion The old Liberal party,
which fought absolutism and the rlle Of the sword
was recruited from the ranks Of the bourgeoise
and the learned professions. 1t was middle class
party arrayed against the pretensions Of aristoc-
racy.
But that once powerful bulwark against mill
tarism and autocracy has been levelled in recent
years by pressure not from the top but from the
bottom Modern ideas Of progress and democracy
in politics have been monopolized more and moro
by the proletarat organized into the Social Demo
cratic party, association with which now subjects
n momber Of the middle class to social ostracism.
As the Social Democracy has become strong the
professional classes, the merchants and the well.
TODD Of all sorts have been driven into an allinnco
against IL with the Bureaucracy, tho military caste
and the arsiotrpey Social pressure has been the
big factor back OF htaTism. and the apparent
81 ,,F