New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-01
War Resolved Into
Struggle of Machines

Dirigible balloons also are employed,
but to a much smaller extent, although
Germany still is constructing Zeppe-
Inns and has used them effectively for
long distance raids, but they are gen
orally regarded as less valuable than
the aeroplanes.
Automobiles are used TO an enor-
nous extent, all private machines be-
ing requisitioned in some OF the coun-
tries at war. In some instances
great numbers OF automobiles have
been utilized for rapid transportation
OF troops. Their main service, how
ever, is in the handling of food sup
pies and ammunition. Armored auto
mobiles, armed with machine guns or
light field pieces, also have been uti-
lized.
Many new weapons of war have been
tested with varying degrees of sue
cess. Poisonous gases, projected from
tanks in the trenches, are reported to
have enabled their users TO capture
opposing positions in several minor
engagements. Steel darts and incen-
diary bombs dropped from aeroplanes
and new types of hand grenades also
have been employed, while IN France
both sides are said to have made use
Of apparatus for spraying burning oil.
The political effects of the war, ire
mendous as they must be, cannot yet
be gagged. The principal result thus
far is the definite rupture of the ira
ditional alignment. which divided Eu-
rope for years into two alliances with
a theoretical balance Of power, Great
Britain, France and Russia forming
the Triple Entente and Germany, Aus
tria-Hungary and Italy constituting
the Triple Alliance.
From the day Austria Hungary be
came involved in serious difficulties
with Serbia there was little doubt Ger
many would support her ally in case
Russia adhered to her traditional pol
icy of defending her Slavic kinsmen in
the Balkans. The entrance in the war
Of France followed as a natural Sc
quence TO her alliance with Russia. and
Great Britain joined in after Germany's
invasion of Belgium.
Italy was thus the only one of the
six nations concerned in the two al
liances which was not involved at the
outset Proclaiming her neutrality,
she utilized the opportunity TO seek
from Austria the territory to the north
Of her border which she had long de-
sired. Failing 10 obtain full satisfac-
ton, she denounced the Triple Alliance
and joined the Allies. The Triple En-
tente was thus converted into the
Quadruple Entente, as it is now some
times called.
Germany and Austria Hungary were
strengthened by the adhesion of Tur-
key 20 the informal alliance with Ger
many which had sprung up in recent
years, and in November Turkey entered
the war. Montenegro took up arms
with the Serbs, and Belgium, on being
invaded, joined the Allies Japan,
Great Britain's ally in the East. opened
war on Germany, following Berlin's re-
fusal to surrender Tsing-tau. There
are thus eleven nations now at war,
Of which eight form what are known
as the Allies.
Historians are agreed that the assas-
sination of the Austrian Archduke
Francis Ferdinand in Sarajevo, Bosnia,
on June 2s, 1914, while the immediate
caIse of the war, was not the deter
mining influence. Europe had been on
the edge of the precipice for a decade.
Perhaps the chief underlying factor
was the development of the national
idea. demanding that political divisions
should be made TO correspond with :he
territory inhabited by the various peo-