The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1914-08-27
International News Service.

international News Service.
Vienna.-The great and cruel war
that now bids fair to devastate and
impoyerish all Europe was directly,
though not primarily, caused by Aus
tria-Hungarys declaration of war
against Servia. Slavonic Russia came
to the aid of the Slavs of Servia and
Germany took her place beside Aus
tria. This brought about a clash Of
the triple alliance and the triple
entente and France and England were
drawn in.
The real last straw" of the great
conflict, therefore, that broke the
camel's back" of the peace of Europe
was the manifesto of the aged En-
peror Joseph of Austria Hungary.
For the first time this edict is here
with given in full, as the ruler of the
dual monarchy wrote it:
Dear Count Sturgkh:
l have resolved to instruct the min
fairs to notify the royal Servian gov
eminent Of the beginning of state Of
war between the monarchy and Servia.
In this fateful hour l feel the need of
turning to my beloved people. l com
mand you, therefore, to publish the
inclosed manifesto.
Manifesto.
To My Peoples: 1t was my fervent
wish to consecrate the years, which.
by the grace of God, still remain to
me, to the words of peace and to pro-
tect my peoples from the heavy sac
rifices and burdens of war. Provi-
dence, in it's wisdom, has otherwise
decreed. The intrigues of a malev-
oient opponent compel me, in the de
tense Of the honor of my monarchy
for the protection Of its dignity, and
it's position as power for the security
of it's possessions, to grasp the sword
after long years of peace. With a
quickly forgetful ingratitude, the king
dom of Servia which, from the first
| beginnings of its independence as a
state until quite recently, has been
supported and assisted by my ances
tors, has for years trodden the path OF
open hostility to Austria-Hungary
When, after three decades of fruitful
work for peace in Bosnia and Her
zegovina, I extended my sovereign
rights to those lands, my decree called
forth in the kingdom Of Servia, whose
rights were in no wise injured, out
breaks of unrestrained passion an(
the bitterest hate. My government a
that time employed the handsome
privileges Of the stronger, and will
extreme consideration and lenienc.
only requested Servia to reduce he
army to a peace footing and to prom
Use that, for the future, she woul(
tread the path Of peace and friendship
Guided by the same spirit of modera
ton, my government, when Servia
two years ago was embroiled in
struggle with the Turkish empire, re
stricted it's action to the defence O
the most serious and vital interests o
the monarchy. 1t was to this atitud
that Servia primarily owed the attain
ment Of the objects of that war.
Hatred Blazed Higher.
The hope that the Servian king
dom would appreciate the patienc
and love of peace Of my governmen
and would keep it's word has not bee!
fulfilled. Inc name or us hatreo 10
myself and my house has Away
blazed higher; the design to tear fro1
us by force inseparable portions Q
Austria Hungary has been made MAI
fest with less and less disguise. /
criminal propaganda has extende
over the frontier with the object Q
destroying the foundations of order +
the southeastern part of the monarchy
OF making the people, to whom l, in M
paternal affection, extended my ful
confidence, waver in it's loyalty to tn
ruling house and to the fatherland; c
leading astray its growing youth an
melting it to mischievous deeds c
madness and high treason. serie
of murderous attacks, an organized
carefully prepared, and well carrie
out conspiracy, whose fruitful success
wounded me and my loyal peoples