The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-08-01
All Europe viii Be Ablaze
If a General War Occurs
Territory Of Seva Now Scene of Fighting VIII Rapidly Sink
Into 1nsignifcanoe-C Cannon Roar to Be Heard in
All Corners Of Continent.

Washfn gton. July 3f.--The territory
or aerv1a, now the scene of the only
fighting that has occurred thus far
in the struggle In Europe prectpitated
by Austria win rapidly sink into in
significance "a scene OF hosulities.
il the war spreads TO the great powers.
according to the opinion OF military
experts here.
There will be dozen points o; con-
tact between the opposing forces In
stead Of one or two. should the other
powers become involved. From the
Balkans to the Baltic Sea. from Po-
will be ablaze. II the catastrophe
that is feared actually occurs Each
Of the powers that may be drawn
into such general conflict viii seek
to strike It's nearest neighbor in the
opposing alignment OF the nations.
the hardest blow IN the most vuiner-
able and most accessible spot.
The only clash known at the pro-
sent moment IL that between Austrian
and Servian forces in northern and
western Servia- Austria has begun
her effort to overwhelm Servta with
troops and crush the ambition out
OF the Balkan State.
Other Involved Nations.
Russia Is next nearest to actual
hostilities apparently and her mobil
ization is already under way. Any
day may bring one or more decisive
blows from Russia upon Austria
With Germany in the contest, 1t
is not seen here how France could re-
frain from assisting her ally, Russia.
and hitting her ancient enemy,
Germany. There is little doubt but
that the seizure Of her lost territory
OF Alsace-L Lorraine will be the first
movement attempted by France
should she enter the conflict. The
French forces will and the preserA
German border one of the worlds
wonders In the massiveness OF Its de-
fanse. 1t is thought likely also that
the northern army corps OF Franco
and Germany will meet In Belgium.
There is little belief that either Hol-
land or Belgium would be able to
preserve Its neutrality should France
and Germany engage in war, and It
II expected that one or the other, or
both. will become once more q stamp
ing ground for European armies.
Without. exactly being able to state
why, officials here believe that Great
Britain and Italy are but little likely
TO be drawn into the impending con-
fiict. Least OF all Is Great Britain ex-
pected to become involved. In neither
Italy nor Great brltalu AIo tHcT0 AHy
evidences that. participation In the
war will be met with popular ap-
prevail.
Vast Armies Available
Estimates OF tina number OF soldiers
that might be involved IN general
war run as high AZ 100000. Though
these estimates are warranted by the
actual figures for the forces Of zach
country. great difficulty Is experienced
here in believing that any such hosts
actually would be placed In the neid
of battle
Germany has available total 81
1000, 600 men, IL she II put on tho de-
fensive. and 5000, 1000 available for an
offensive war
France can put into tho field event
uaily 100000 men, practically it,
entiro,~ male population. II put upon
the defensive.
Naval oflicers hardly venture evers
guesses N to the possible fleet moxc-,
ments and the course Of the naval
side OF the war. if the maritime pow
.4rp ~ invnlvaA II
- 131in 81 1E@xouAE1AA - ~.