New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-07-27
Austria.Huneary Hot for War.

Austria Hungary t1Ot 1Or w ar.
In virtually declaring war on Seryia Austria
Hungary has assumed responsibility for bringing
on general European war, since It is hard TO see
how Russia can avoid accepting the challenge flung
in her face by the Dual Monarchy. Russla's pres
tice would he ruined and her interests In South
eastern Europe would he irreparably damaged II
she should stand by and Servia crushed ana
despoiled
Austria Hungary's purpose is plain TO all. II i
70 use the Sarajevo assassinations rs means Of
fixing a quarrel on servia and taking vengeance
on the Servians for having blocked yiennas plans
for territorial expansion southwark TO the Hscah
Sea. The war against Servia is war of conquest
inspired by the lust Of empire. The pretcNt uSed
for launching it was so fimsy that Austria Hun
gary did not venture to submit it TO the ordinary
processes of diplomatic accommodation
The military party in the Dual Monarchy HAS
long been itching for an opportunity to strlNe Ut
Seryia It graycy misjudged the chances oil the
war between the Balkan League and Turkey. ana
is still infatuated that the recent dismemUcrlheh1
of Turkey left it practically empty handed IL paS
also felt hampcrcd by the increase of popular DIS
content within the empire the spread of parlla-
mcntary institutions and Of the democratic spirit
and the consequent sharpening of the protests OF
tie subject-raccs against political oppression.
The military party which has clamorcd for war
D6 4 (:
fresh check on popular political activities rs well
as to acquire foreign territory. The first fruits Of
the declaration Of war against Seryia are there
fore the suspension of the parliamentary regime,
the closing down OF all the provincial dies
the Austrian Reichsrath and the Hungarian Parlia-
ment the withdrawal OF the constitutions Guaran-
tee Of liberty Of assemblage the suppression OF
iuries and the proclamation Of general martial law
throughout the empire. The rcactlonary military
party is trying to bring back an undutcd autoc-
racy. and it IS willing to risk the stability and
even the life of the empire in order to do it.
1t is evident that Germany will stand firmly
behind Austria Hungary if Russia supports Servia
The Social Democrats Of Germany would dcplore
conflict whose burdens would have to be borne
chiefly by those who have no voice at all in declar-
Ing it, But they cannot restrain the government
or the over-eager military spirit of the great mass
OF the German people.
With Italy the other member Of the Triple ALI
ance the case is different Italy's interests in
Southeastern Europe already in direct conflict
with those of Austria Hungary. and a successful
war by the latter against Scrya would operate 70
Italy's material disadvantage. Besides, popular
opinion in Italy is distinctly hostile to Austria
Hungary because Of the lattcrs treatment Of its
Itaan-spealing subjects in the Adriatic provinces.
Italy would therefore support the Dual Monarchy
with great reluctance and against the private judg-
ment Of most Italians.
On the other hand Great Britain would he slow
to make common cause with Russia and France
against Germany and Austra-Iungary. She would
probably reserve her strength TO compose the quar-
rel after its first violence had been spent. The
brunt OF European would fall on the four
great Continental powers. Should Germany and
Austria Hungary lose, It would probably mean the
end Of the Hapsburg rule and the breakup Of the
"sick man" empire, which has rashly invited
a making-over OF the map of Europe.