New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-02
The Greatest of Wars.

c,.--,a,r declared war on Russia yesterday and
,,,,s ,,,t under irresistible Roadway what promises
20 be the greatest OF wars since real e'''''1S'iO"
toran Many other nations arc sure 10 DC uiS"A
:, Austria Hungary will help Germany since 10
:. ,no formers quarrel which the Kaiser has mace
~ avn France will side with Russia, and Great
Britain is apparently ready TO do her snare anu
probablv more than her shsre-in carrying out '"e
comnact which uudcrlics the Triple Entente
rhorc has been no clear understanding as to no"
Cor Great Britain is bound 10 cooperate with
France and Russia. But in supreme emergencies
national interest is more controlling even ina"
compscts. Great Britain has long been sccus'on
,r- herself 10 the idea that she must some Cd!
oho,longc Germapy's sea power, and no opportunity
,o challenge II could he moro favorable than tnS'
which now presents itself The war now on III
r,,-ore could not have been better planned FOR
Great Brtain's advantage. Germany Is inc one
r,,sI which she needs most just now to push out
Of her path.
Greece has an alliance with servia and may DC
expected TO join in repelling Austris-Hunsar'
invasion Of Balkan territory. So doubtless VIII
Montenegro .iumania has been alienated iro"
association with the Triple Alliance and has
.-,,.,,,oo AGAINST Austria Hungary. She probably
,spires 70 ret part of the Rumanian district OF
Hungary if the Dual Monarchy falls to pieces
From the point Of view of those who hope TO
see the European struggle limited in extent ana
s.-,,ior, tho most encouraging development of yes
,ardav was the announcement from Rome tna'
Italy would remain neutral so long as her own
interests we're not directly affected Italy Is
rember Of the Triple Alliance, but the ltalan
FOREIGN Office holds that the obligations OF the
triple compact apply only to defensive war anu
,hot tho present war. provoked by Austria-Hun-
rarvs acgressions does not fall in that category
An opportunity to part company with the Other
,,ombers of the Triple Alliance must have been
worry welcome 10 the Italian government since
war in support Of Austria HungaTys pretensions
in Southeastern Europe would have been intensely
unpopular in Italy As The Tribune pointed out
sovoraI davs ago Italys interests in that section
are absolutely opposed to those of the Dual Mon
orcbv. Zach ally has been watching the other Ike
hawk since the outbreak of the Balkan war ana
their antagonisms led to the creation Of the 1nde-
rondont kingdom Of Albania neither wishing 90
COO any territory on the Adratic fall to the other
or to Servia.
Tho neople Of Italy have never forgotten the
long wears Of Austrian oppression and still dream
Of recovering the Italian provinces which Austria
holds and in which the latter is still trying to
Keen under the racial and national aspirations 81
her Italian speaking subjects No object is nearhf
the Italian heart than to regain those provinces
and the short cut to reganing them would be
through a smash-up of the conglomerate Dual
Monarchy. in which Italy would participate
The weakening of AustriaHungary's power in
Southeastern Europe would rebound TO Italy s
benefit. ON the other hand, an Observation-Disclosures
alliance with Austria Hungary and Germany would
mean the sacrifice of Italy's feet TO the far more
powerful naval forces in the Mediterranean CT
France and Great Britain. II might also involve
the loss Of TrpoH The compact with Germany
and the Dual Monarchy was an artificial, not
natural one, anu IL Was piSANCu "1 ~" A''"' 49,
nerable point when Austria-Hungary began war
Of aggression on Servia.
II Italy remains neutral from the start its in
terests may incline il later to some understanding
with the Triple Entente with a view to prohtng
by the defeat Of It's nominal allies. In that case
Germany and Austra-Hungary would have all the
odds against them and the sacrifices Of general
European war would probably be lessened
These sacrifices must, however be enormous. II
i. Gernanys splendid army against bigger bat
somewhat loosely organized group Of enemies. 1t
will be the most stupendous conflict the world has
vet seen-on land, by sea and in the air. The
world is still too stunned to realize the possibilities
O. destruction Embossed only week ago by Austria
Uungarys now almost forgotten ultimatUm to Ser
via. The realization will be protracted and har-
rowing
Our Opportunity in South America
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