The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1914-11-12
the heir apparent to the Austrian
throne precipltated war.

1
At once Austria demanded of the
Servian Govt reparatlon amount
ing to rellnquislImenl of Servian
SOW, reignty. Servia could chuose
between giving up her national ex-
isience. or having il takep from her
by force. Oh course she refused to
accede to the Austrian demands,
and war was declared by Austria.
| Russia. the big bro,her of the
Balkans, at once sigmltied that she
could not permit Servla's conquest
| by Austria, at the same time max.
Ing it quite plain that she would not
resort to armed force unless 1t be-
came necessary in short. unless
Austria comp elled the use of arms
| Austria hesltated before forcing so
formidable an enemy as Russia.
There can he little doubt that had
Austria been left to decide for her.
self at this time. she would have
modified her demands 80 as to have
admired of a peaceable solution OF
the d fficulties between her aud Ser
via, rather than precipitate a war
with Russia.
But Germany saw in present con-
ditlons chance not likely to occur
again for gears, if ever, to further
her ambitions for expansion. and
she stepped in with an announce
ment to Russia to the effect that if
Russia persisted in interfering on
behalf Of Servia, she, Germany,
would support Austria. This step
on the part of Germany at once in-
creased the situation from one in
volving three nations; Austria, Ser
via and Russia, to one of general
European significance; for it was
plain that should Germanv aud Rus
sa go to war, France aud England
must inevitably suffer. France
made this plain to Germany; while
England at once began to exert her
most powerful influences in behalf
of peaceable settlement. To the
surprise of the Germans, Italy sec
onded England. while France. Rus
sia aud even Aurtria submitted their
willingness to abide by any plan
that Germany herself might submit.
t+ermany's answer was declaration
IF war on Russia, followed almost
Immediately by a declaration Of war
on France; and the further affront-
cry of calling upon Italy. who had
just expressed her Willingness to
uphold any German action in the
interest of peace. to uphold her liz
an aggressive war. Italy refused
point blank.
H. the face of this action on the
part of Germany. England still held
aloof. striving for peace. But Ger
many's first move in the pr"secu
tion of the war made this position
on the part of England untenable.
Germany invaded Belgium, neut-
raj country under the protection of
Great Britain, without a declara-
ton of war or even so much as a
warning! When England demand
ed that Germany Withdraw her
troops from neutral soil. GerrnaDy's
answer was a declaration of war OH
England.
| Thus, after the first step. Austria's
ultimatum to Servia, Germany has
taken the agg ressive in every single
instance. She declared war on Rus
sia before even Austria had taken
that step; she declared war on
France while France was still work
ing for peace; she invaded Belgium
without any declaration whatever.
and she anticipated by 9 hours Eng
lands declaration of war.
The reasons for this aggressive
stand on Germany's part have al
ready been made clear. She he.
lleved that she held the strongest
hand, and could afford 10 take the
aggressive. Let us see now how
this belief has been j1sll6ed.
/ Germany counted on Italy, as
member OF the Triple Alliance. to
uphold any action she might take.
But Italy has been for some tiIne
past in a peculiar position IN regard
to her alliance with Austria and
Germany. The populace of north
ern and eastern Italy are bitterly
antagonistic to Austria. Austrla's
scheme for the possession of the
eastern coast of the Adrlatic Sea is
particularly Objectionable to Italy,
az threatening her independence.
And more important still. Italy has
just acquired. independently of
Austria aud Germany. large terri
torial additions suitable for coloniz-
alton and market for her surplus
III nroduntion Italu2s acnuisitinn of