Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-06-28
A SHOT THAT FIRED A CONTINENT
The Anniversary the Assassination Of the Austrian Arhduke
Finds the British Navy in Command Of the Sea and the
German Army Dominant Land
BY ]. W. T. MASON

ONE year ago today the primary cause of
" the European war occurred at Serajevo,
the capital of Bosnia, when Servian con-
spirators assassinated the Archduke Francis
Ferdinand, heir to the Austro- Hungarian
throne, and his morganatic wife, the Duchess
OF Hohenburg. The anniversary of the crime
of Serajevo finds eight nations trying to
overwhem the two Teutonlc countries and
their Turkish ally, with the result of the con-
fict so undetermined to make this the
most significant fact of the war. Today, 1t is
nobody's fight.
At the beginning of hostilities, the Ger
mans were said to be facing the necessity
of winning the war during the first summer.
Then came the autumn prediction that the
Germans would soon be in the throes of
economic distress. Winter brought with 1t
prophecy that General February" would
lead the Russians through the SHOWS far
into the enemy's country. Spring was to see
the development of the Allies offensive in
the west, and the beginning of Germanys
permanent retirement from Belgium and
France.
Efficiency of the British Navy
Summer has once more returned, and
none of the major expectations aroused dur
ing the interval has been realized. 1ndecision
is the first years verdict of the war No ma
tion has done anything decisive. The nearest
approach to a decisive result has been won
by the British navy Despite the individual
exploits of German warships, the mass ac-
tivity of Great Brltains fleets has almost
entirely destroyed Germany industrially.
But. even here. the victory is not complete.
German organization has partly offset the
efScts OF the British blockade. and German
manufactures and agriculture have been di-
verted in new directions and intensified to
an extent which partly nullifies the evil ef-
feet OF the Empires overseas isolation To
what degree, however. the Germans have
been able to substitute domestic productiv-
ity for their former imported necessities is
not known. No two estimates are the same,
and yet this Is probably the most impor-
tant OF the factors which will finally deter
mine whether the war Is to end with q gem
eral compromise or 10 TO be continued until
Germany is compelled to capitulate or be
ruined.
Germnnys reply to the activities of the
British navy has not been success. The
submarine warfare has proved impotsnt
seriously to damage British foreign trade.
While Gemany's submarine activities have
produced optimistic rejoicings at home.
tual hurt done the British Empire.
The Invaders Foot Not in Germany
AS the British navy has dominated the
seas since the beginning OF the war, so has
the German army controlled the land situa-
ton. Except for a few square miles in
southern Alsace German soil is free of in
vaders, while Germany's enemies elsewhere
are held al bay far within their own boun-
daries. No such combination OF individual
courage, strategic skin, organizing capacity,
readiness and foresight has ever before been
united in nations military service as the
German armies have displayed since they
took the field last summer
Nevertheless. primary mistake was
committed by the German General Stan dur
ing the drive on Paris and during the subsa-
quent lighting along the Aisne after the re-
treat from the Marne. Throughout that
crucial period the way to Dunkirk and Calais
was open and was neglected. Everything
was risked on the capture OF Paris, and the
whole thought OF the German starr was con-
tinuOusly concentrated on the struggle for
the French capital But the inability TO
realize quickly that Paris was permanently
out OF Germanys reach and that Calais and
Dunhrk must be substituted was a strategic
error OF the first rank, and shows how dis
heartening 20 the General STAN was the Ger
man defeat at the battle OF the Marns
Won HindenbeFg made no such error az
this In the East, although his hrst drive
against Warsaw was as much a failure as
Was the advance on Paris. unquestlonabIy
Won Hindenberg has done more 10 save Ger
many since last summer than any other man
The collapse of Russia. the breakdown Of
tie steam roller. Il the most crlshiur faa4 ~
the var. Rnsaia'a allies. ana particularly
England expected the slaea last summer 98