The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-12-01

lost, the reason being this preclpltate ac-
ton on the part of Germany. The obli-
cations of alliances had to be observed
and the great powers were drawn into
the fatal conflict.
Events which then took place are fresh
In the memory of every one. On July 81
there were acts of hostility, clearly de-
fined, on our frontier, the I'd of August
saw the violation OF the neutrality of
Luxembourg, and the entrance by German
troops upon three points of our territory,
while our troops were holding themselves
at distance of 10 kilometres (six miles)
from the frontier The same day Bel
quinn was summoned to permit Germany s
military operations against France.
Finally, on the Sd of August the declara-
ton of war was brought by M. Won
schoen to the Quay DOrsay. which act
preceded by short time only the viola
ton of the neutrality of Belgium
Striking Clearness
I'm the light of the documents contained
In this yellow book. the roles played by
the different powers in this European
crisis show up with striking clearness.
1t Is scarcely necessary again to empha :
size the responsibilities of Austria, primal
NouoC VI the tOuiiltl lie ItSpOISlDl.tltS
of Germany are even more crushing, in
spite of the fact that at the beginning
she stood for the second plan. The rea-
son for this is that Germany systemati-
cally avoided every opportunity to dis
cuss measures Of Cancellation. She forced
Austria to an intransigeant attitude and
she made the war inevitable by an ulti-
matum Ito Russia) issued at a moment
when the basis of a direct agreement be-
tween Austria and Russia had been found
and accepted by these two powers.
From the beginning Germany de
clared that she was in ignorance of the
contents of the Austrian note (to
Servia), but at the same time she
voiced her resolve to approve it and
sustain all its pretensions.
When the Russian government
showed that public opinion and the his
toric traditions of Russia did not per-
nit 1t to turn a deaf ear to the fate
of Servia, Germany endeavored to force
France, by intimidation, to associate
herself with the exerting influence of
St Peterburg, but at the same time she
refused to undertake like steps at
Vienna.
Refused Proposals
when Sir Edward Grey proposed
four-power mediation, the German gov
eminent refused to consider his pro-
posal; the first time under the pretense
that she thought preferable the open
ing of direct negotiations between Wien
ma and st. Petersburg, and the second
time she refused under the pretense
that such a conference was not ac-
ceptable to Vienna, and that the Brit
ish proposal was not in very practical
BILE form. When finally Germany pre-
ceived. in spite of all her dilatory pro-
ceedings. that the conflict was pro-
crossing toward settlement. to be eff
fected by the conciliatory efforts of
Russia and England. which finally had
been accepted by Austria Hungary, she
precipitated the rupture by hurting at
Russia an ultimatum counched in UNI
acceptable terms.
France with an interchangeable good
will, associated herself with the great
est sincerity with every effort made
to compose the conflict. She counseled
Servia in the line of wisdom; she en-
deavored necessarily at st. Petersburg
to strengthen her ally, Russia. In hei
attitude of moderation, and she took
part in all the peaceful endeavors made
at Berlin and at Vienna. France again
can say truthfully that she did not take
I'D arms except after she perceived
military measures and military provo
cations which placed her national ex-
istence in peril.
France, moved by deep love Of
peace, exhausted every means of con-
ciliation at her command The success
siye violations of the neutrality o.
Luxembourg and of Belgium and the in
vasion of her own territory were nee
essary before she decided to draw the
sword to defend her very life"