The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-13
Wrote to His Father From France Predicting Events
 Before Declaration
HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN
 PARIS RELIEF WORK
Birmingham Young Man Is Connected With Large Firm in Paris and Is a Careful Observer
 of Events
By c. D. STEWART.

Washington, August 12-tS tSpeclal)-Os- car W. Underwood, Jr., who is in Paris. Is the worthy son of an llustrious sire in matters political. Representative Un- derwood passed some anxious moments when the war broke out in Europe be- cause while he knew his sons headuuar- ters were in Paris. where he is connected with q legal firm. he did not know just where he might be. His mind was set at rest in few days, however. when the press dispatches carried the information that young Underwood was engaged in relief work, employing his automobile for the aid of distressed Americans and others
 MT. Underwood is just in receipt of a letter from his son, dated at Tours. France, July 29, a short time before the clash between Austria and Serva Young underwood's analysis of the European situation in view of what has actually transpred since entities him to great credit, and discloses the fact that he has inherited some of hls fathers genius for things political. That part of his let. ter devoted to the European conhagra- ! ton is as follows:
 Writes From Tours
 This morning about i o'clock I heard great noise in the street and looked out and saw regiment of Cuirassiers go by They are cavalrymen who wear steel oreastplates and steel helmets with horse tails hanging down the backs, aud | 'lre the prido of the French army rheres are two. regiments of them here and three regiments of infantry, so the place looks , like an armed camp.
 ''fhe European crisis Is just now at it's heisht. in my opinion Europe is on the verge of the greatest war in it's history, and 1t will be fortunase indeed if it is averted. I have kept up closely with the situation and before the crisis arrived 1 had given a good deal or time to study ing modern European conditions. so 1 think 1 know the conditions underlying the trouble. Briefly, it seems to be this After the Franco-Prussian war, the Ger man empire having been founded Bis marcl made an ally or Austria and in compensation of having deprived Austria of it's influence in German affairs, agreed to support 1t In expans,on eastward, and to facilitate its encroachment on Turkey in Europe. Austria's ambition then be. came the possession of rhe entire Balkan peninsula. The growing spirit of nation alism in the Balkan states of late years. however, has become block to Aus tria's plans, and Servia having emerged victorious from the Balkan wars, and Turkey having been eliminated Austria now takes the murder of the heir appar- ent as an excuse to been campaign to annihilate Servia's growing spirit and it's small but well trained army ''Servia on the other hand. Is ncensed at the annexation of Bosnia and Herze- sovina Gin l9o9). which is almost entirely peopled by Serbs and other kindred peo- pies. and is also smarting under Austrlas possession of part of Albania and It's outlet to the sea, which it mad partly won from the Turks. As there are mill lions of Serbs and other Slavs in Austria Hungary who will probably assist them, Servia is not afraid of the issue though 1t Is plain that it has tried to avert 1t Russias Interest Russia Is interested because in the last decade Pan Slav' movement has taken on great impetus. and has obtained a high degree of influence in the Bal kans, which 1t regards as highly valuable. Though Russia has not yet announced its position clearly, the ndica ions arc that 1t will not see servia crushed. If Russia attacks Austria Germany Is likely to support the latter and take the field in order to protect the Bismarkian policy, which was really to make Austria tho guardian of the eastern frontier. Ger many's entrance would make France take the field as Russia's ally. and 1t is diff- cult to see how England and Italy could keep out as members of the triple en. tente and the triple alliance. That is why the whole of Europe IS on the verge of war.
 The French people do not want war. but they are prepared for 1t and very uneasy.
 Gold" said Mir. Underwood was in free circulation in Paris last night, and has vanished over nght-bills anu silver are all one can get today"
 Young undcrwoods analysis of the real underlying cause for me great war now raging in Europe is remarkably clear and comprehensive. Had this story been flashed to a New York newspaper on the date it was written it would have un- doubtedy made a hit for it's author.