The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-09-02
"WHO BEGAN IT?"
slavophobc View OF the Endless barren
Controversy.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sir! Hav-
ing returned from Europe week or so
ago by steamship Teutonic and having
travelled through large parts OF the Rus
sian empire during July q crossed the
Russian-German border by the last avail
able train on August -. beg to give you
my Impressions of this great European
conflict
Immediately after the assassination OF
the Austrian Archduke Russia started
making warlike preparations. In mid
july the most important Russian news
paper, the Noroe Vremyd, published q
sensational article to the effect that Rus
sia would be ready TO crush completely
Austria and Germany in 1916 and to
establish a great Slav empire in Europe.
OF course this article was translated in
the German newspapers and made very
deep impression In Germany and Austria.
Germans asked themselves: why should
we obllge Russia by waiting another two
yearsY' The Berlin LokdI AnsctDer
wrote Rather have an end with terror
than a terror without end" on July 81
the great Russian Liberal paper the
Reich wrote that II great European
war should break out the cause would
have to be laid at the doors OF the Novoe
Premyd for Its warlke article. AZ
the Reich continued In agitating for
peace, this newspaper was ordered to
be suspended by the Russian Government.
On July 30 last council OF the Russian
Cabinet Ministers decided for war and
ordered a general mobilization Of the Rus
sian army and navy; the only Russian
Minister who spoke for peace was the
Minister OF Agriculture On July 20 l
travelled from Helsingfors to Reval,
where I saw the whole Russian Baltic
fleet assembled. on July 20 l witnessed
hostile demonstrations OF big Russian
mob before shops and hotels owned by
Germans and Austrians In Moscow. ON
July 80 Germany asked Russia to stop
mobilizing. but Russia declined TO do so.
on August l squadron Of Russian Cos
sacks crossed the German boundary on
the River Wharf.-The.
As we "Anglo-Saxons" have always
prlded ourselves on our love Of fair play,
] ask you whether Germany was not
justified under these circumstances in de-
clarlng war. l am not at all an admirer
OF the German Emperor nor do | like
the German military party. but I think
that the verdict OF history has to take
| into consideration the happenings in Rus
| sia In July. 1914, before putting all the
| blame on the German war lord. ] spent
| August 2 and 3 in Germany. where !
| found great enthusiasm for a war with
/ Russia, but there was not the least hostile
feeling against France and England. Mr.
| Norman ANGEL wrote on August in the
/ London Daily Chronicle that tho end OF
this great war will be European CONT
nent dominated by Russian Cossacks.
The ambition OF the powerful Pan-Slavs
Is to bring under the paws OF the great
| Russian bear all the Slav nations OF the
| Balkan peninsula. Austria and Germany.
| Through her declaration OF war against
| her kindred German cousns Great Rri-
tain will assist Russia to build up the
greatest empire that the world has ever
known. Whether this is in the interest
| OF civilization | leave to your own iudg-
ment | spoke with many Englshmcn
who shared my Ideas. We may live to see
the day when Great Britain will regret
her participation in this war. Trade
jealousy and rot love for Belgium has
been her real motive for taking sides
against Germany. / found that both IN
Finland and Poland the Russian Govern
ment Is thoroughly hated; and from any
body who has been In Russia the newly
found love of the Car for his Polish and
Jewish subjects can only evoke a smile
| History shows that the Russian Govern
ment In very quick In forgetting promises
Qui vivra vera. J. J. WILLIAMS.
New York, August 81.