The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1914-09-25
Some Causes Of the War From the
German Viewpoint.

For few days before the declara-
ton of war there was quite a little
uneasiness in Germany at the sit
uation between Austria and Servia.
Everyone hoped for the localization
of the war. but instinctively almost
the Germans feared the Russian
hordes to the northeast. Several
things had happened within the last
two or three years to make Russia's
attitude seem suspicious. Months
before. she had put a ban on the ex-
portations of horses into Germany.
There had been various movements
of large bodies of troops in South
western Russia. in the section along
the Russo-German frontier, that had
caused Apprehension in Germany.
And throughout the Balkan troubles.
Russia was suspected of having un-
due interests in their instigation and
in the results. for II is no state Sc
cret that she has long desired an out
let to the Mediterranean. and has at
times only been held back by France
and England from gaining her end.
The theory of "Panslavism." so
strongly advanced in Russia. aimed
at the very heart blood of the Dual
monarchy, for there are several mil
lion Slaves in Austria Hungary, and
Germany and Austria are bound by
ties of blood. as well as treaty. Thus.
naturally. Russsia's every move was
closely watched by the Germans.
Finally, Russia's mobilization of
her vast armies on the German and
Austrian frontiers. which the Eng
lish white book" comedies was done
secretly while the Gar gave the
German Emperor every assurance
that no such mobilization was taking
place. drove the Kaiser to action. and
he demonstrated to the Gar. No
satisfaction was received, so nothing
was left. the Germans believe. but
to declare war Thus they think
this great world war was brought
about by what seemed to them sus-
picious and treacherous actions of
Russia. and upon her they lay most
of the blame for the war. though
they think that perhaps England
might have prevented it by taking a
more determined stand for peace
and using her moral influence on
Russia.
Upon the German people. earnest
and industrious, and peacefully en-
gagged in building up their nation.
their institutions and their civiliza-
ton, the war fell as a mighty calam-
ity. They were prosperous and hap
Ply, with all their taxation and their
compulsory military service, and
they took great pride in the German
education. culture. and refinement;
their love for the Fatherland was
supreme, and when perhaps it's
very existence was threatened. they
put aside all political differences and |
rose to a man to its defense.
When it was seen that war was in
and the final declaration
against Russia had been made, the
Germans then turned their attention
toward France. for they knew that
between France. and Russia there
existed an alliance as close as the
one binding themselves to the Aus
TRANS. But of England they
little; for her treaty with
Russia was of somewhat a different
nature. Thus naturally an ultima
tum was sent to France. to learn
what she would do. and the second
of war was. the result.
But this was not unexpected, for the
common opinion in Germany was
that France was led on by her treaty
and that the French people wanted
war as little as they themselves did.