The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-07-25
EUROPE FACES SITUATION
OF EXTREME GRAVITY
Austro-Hungarian Ultimatum to
Servia Is Couched in Tone of
Unprecedented Severity
DEMANDS ANSWER IN rs HOURS
Unless Controversy Is Handled by
Diplomats With Extreme Delicacy,
Not Unlikely That Others Will Be-
come Involved in War.

London July 24.--European di-
/ plolnacy is faced with q situation OF
extreme gravity in the controversy be-
tween Austria and Scrvia Unless ii
is handled with great dclicacy. il is
not unlikely that others will become
involved in war An Austro- Hungarian
ultimatum TO Scrvia, couched i'm a tone
OF almost unprecedented severity, and
fastening ON the Servian government
ana people responsibility for the as
sassination OF Archduke Francis Fer
dinand and his wife at Sarayevo. has
been presented To Belgrade. it de-
mands satisfaction within forty eight
hours.
The almost universal opinion in the
European capitals Is that the Serviau
government cannot comply with such
huiniliatinC terms as are set forth in
the ultiinatuni. since compliance will
I've tantamount TO an admission of
SerVia's guilt.
The efforts of European diplomacy,
should the powers fail to avert ,he
Threatened war. will be devoted to To-
cali&ing ii. Montenegro has Indicated
her readiness to support Servia in the
event OF an Austrian attack. This GER
tainly would plunge the whole OF the
balkans into hostilities. Austria counts
many and Italy. but with the possibil-
ity OF Russian intervention on behalf
OF Servia Austria, would run great
risks of risings among her own great
Slav population.
PAPERS COMMENT UPON
TIME CHOSEN by AUSTRIA
y fact much commented upon by the
European newspapers is that Austria
has chosen Il moment for the issuing of
her ultimatum when President Poin-
care is absent from France and two
OF the Balkan l'remiors are abroad.
l. The SerVian government is with E
holding publication OF the text OF the
ultinatun in Belgrade. Against the
forts and Austrian gunbots on the
Danube. Belgrade could not hold out
twenty-five hours, and IL is rumored i'm
diplomatic circles here that the Ser
wan government is preparing TO retire
from the capital'into the interior prob
ably TO Nisch or CSkub.
According to Berlin reports Ger
many will not permit interference by
any third party in the event OF Austro-
Servian police. II is reported thar
President roincare of France. will
abandon his proposed Scandinavian
tour on account OF the trouble.
Austria's, note. although the per-
emptory character OF the ultimatum
and the brief time allowed TO Ser
Austrian public. meets with universal
approval.
RELATIONS FELT TO HAVE
BECOME fNTOII;R 4 III IL.
The relations between Servin and
Austria were fell TO have become intol-
erable. 1t WAS believed in Scrvia that
the time was ripe for disintegration of
the Austro- Hungarian empire, and that
Austria would suffer anything rather
than run the risk of European war.
Hence, Servian statesmen aspircd TO
bring Bosnian and Austrian Slav prov
inces under Servian rule.
Germans and Austrians have for sew
eral years attributed the bad trade i'm
the monarchy and the crushing taxa
tion caused by repeated notifications
TO Servian hostile intrigucs, and there
is feeling of relief therefore that
head. and that Servia will be settled
with once and for all. 1t is believed
here that the SerVian. Crown Prince.
who is now acting regent during the
Kings illness. is under the influences n {
the war party and will reject the ulti-
m;ttum.
MI the members of the Austrian
cabinet have returned to the capital.
Emperor Francis Joseph desired TO
come here also. but has been per
suaueu 10 remain away, owing to the
terrlbie neat. Count Leopold Won Berch-
told. the Foreign Minister, will so TO
lschl tomorrow to consult the En,
peror.
Ihe othcial newspapers declare that
the government will refuse to extend
the time limit of the ultimatum. and
VIII SuUcr no intervention from other
powers, Austrias contention being that
she does not desire to acquire new
(COutlutcl on SECOND pauaA