The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-07-29
A Year Of War.

the bombardment Of the Serbian capt.
tai OF Belgrade, the first overt act OF
hostility In a war that has involved
all the great nations Of Europe and
chat has cast its shadow upon the
whole civilized world. The attack
upon Belgrade followed in less than
twelve hours a formal declaration OF
war resulting from Serbia's refusal
to accede TO an ultimate demand that
would have practically extinguished
her national independence. Upon the
sa me day Russia, as the big brother
Of the little Balkan State. and Ger
many, as an ally Of Austria, began
mobilization.
These acts were but the prelude
to the a The people Of Austria
apparently thought that the monarchy
was merely undertaking a punitive
expedition against a troublesome little
neighbor. The world to an extent
shared this belief and was hopeful,
that the general European c~onflagra-
ton that had been 80 often threat
ened and 80 often averted might still
be avoided. The diplomatic CORE
spondence that has since been made
public in the official reports of the
different nations shows how slim al
most from the first were the chances
for a peaceful settlement.
Germany had warned all the Eu-
ropean Powers not to interfere with
Austria in her purpose Of Furnishing
Serbia. Russia remained ominously
silent and Great Britain through her
Foreign Minister. Sir EDWARD GREY.
suggested n meeting in London to dis
cuss means Of averting the threaten
ing disaster. Germany refused the
suggestion and Austria answered by
her advance upon Serbia. Within
the mex two days zane in quick sue
'cession events OF worldwide impor-
lance, events Yraught with significance
TO the history OF the great nations
Of civilization. but which piled up
with such b~ewildering rapidly as
to obscure all but the most momen.
tous. On July 81 the German En-
pire was declared in a state Of war
and on the following day the formal
declaration Of hostilities was issued
against Russia. The war had then
truly begun.
How the great German army swung
into the Duchy of Luxembourg on Au-
gust l and then on the next day ap-
peared before Liege. marking the pre-
liminary step in the violation Of Bel.
gian territory, Is already history.
Then followed the French decla ration
Of war on August 3, and a few days
later the announcement that Great
Britain was to Join France and Rus
STA. Then the confiagration spread
to the Orient. involving japan, and
finally backfir ID to Turkey and Italy,
until the spark struck by Austria at
Belgrade had set ablaze the world.
After a year Of war that has cost
more than a million Of lives { d bill
ions Of treasure, peace seems no
nearer than 1t was a year ago. To-
day Teuton and Russian are fighting
fiercely around Warsaw; the French
and English are striving to hold their
positions along the French and Bel
gian borders; the Italians are slowly
advancing their lines over the south
Austrian frontier, and the Turks and
the Anglo French invaders are con.
testing foot by foot the rocky Gal.
lipoli peninsula. Decisive victory rests
with none.
But Serbia, the smallest Of the
combatants, and the first to feel the
brunt Of the war. has been almost
lost sight OF In the crowd Of events
swiftly succeeding the attack upon
her capital. The Austrian punitive
expedition captured Belgrade and
swept on into the heart Of the coun.
try. Then a strange thing happened
The Serbians took on new life; they
turned upon the invaders, drove then
from their capital. captured hundreds
Of guns and 10000 prisoners. Within
two weeks Serbia had freed her sol
Of the foe and he has not returned
Italian diplomacy and Russian peri
on Austria's eastern border were per
hnps more potent than her owr
strength In effecting this result; bur
nevertheless this mite among the bat
Ting nations stands as the only vic
tor in the great struggle. What fatt
may yet be in store for her, who car
tell?
The n IL MOI vet ended. tn,
giants are already preparing for mex
winters campaign.