Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-07-31
HOW EUROPE FELT
ON THE EVE OF WAR
A Year Ago Today the Nations Were
Preparing for the Worst and Hop
ing for the Best-Twenty-four
Hours Later the Crash Came.
Rn 1nHN L1tM


AUSTRIA declared war on servia a year
A ago last Wednesday. The men behind
the scenes knew what this meant, but che
public az large was wondering what would
happen dreadlng a general war, but not e&-
peeting H. The common attitude OF mind
was reflected III the quotations Of war risk
rates in London. The insurance experts hg-
tired that the chances against Great Britain
being involved IN a war with any continental
Power within three months were five to one
and that there was only one chance In four
that Germany would fight with any Poweri
but II a man sought TO insure against a war
between Russia and Germany within three
months he had TO pay a premium of 40 per
cent, or, to put It in another way the
chances of war were as I'VE to two for peace
This was the situation as expressed in terms
OF instrenoe risks a year ago today
Every one recognized the gravity OF the
crisis year ago this morning the London
Times reviewed conditions under the head
line, "On the Brink of War;" and concluded
that there was only one chance for peace
and that through an Understanding between
Germany and Russia. distinguished in
tornational banker, however, was confident
that the Russian mobilization, which began
with the Servian crisis, would cease and
that Germany would be satisfied Yet every
one was hoping against hope. The British
fleet had sailed under sealed orders from
Portland the day that Austria declared
war on Servia, and the German heet was
assembled at Kiel and Cuxhaven at the same
time. Mr.. Asquith rose in his place in the
House of Commons and issued an appeal Tor
a truce in domestic politics, and MIR. Bonar
Law, the Conservative leader, declared that
whatever the domestic differences might be-
"they will not prevent us from presenting a
united front in the councils of the world"
British Solidarity
Bonar Law and the Premier a few hours
previously had ridden together In the same
automobile to a conference with Sir Edward
Grey, the Foreign Minister, their appear
ance in public in this way doubt having
been arranged for its effect upon the senti-
ment Of the world. 1t was a demonstration
of the solidarity of the British nation.
Although no official announcement had
been made of the position of the Govern
ment, the newspapers declared that there
was no doubt that Great Britain had es-
poused the cause of Servia Sir Edward
Grey however, did say that although the
situation had not changed since the decla-
ration of war, Great Britain was continuing
Ito pursue our one great object of preserv-
ing the European peace"
In the Austrian capital there was a great
popular demonstration in honor of the re-
turn to the city of the Emperor from his
castle at Ischl. The streets were crowded
with cheering throngs, carrying banners ana
flags and the burgomaster pledged to Fran
els Joseph the answering devotion of the
city. The purpose of the Government was
t1aa TON
Office that Austria wants only peace and
punishment for the servians for encouraging
anti-Austrian agitation" concluding with
the declaration that Austria will not allow
Russia to interfere with these ends"
Reports from St Petersburg were to the
effect that the Russian Government had Of
ficially notified Austria and Germany that
she had ordered the partial mobilization or
IA army corps, or 100000 men. The gravity
of the crisis was so great that the managers
of the stock Exchange decided to close 1t
and not open for business until Monday The
foreign diplomatists in the Russian capital
believed that Austria had produced the Crisis
with deliberate intent by declaring war with
out giving notice to the other members OF
the Triple Alliance. The Italian and Ger
man Ambassadors had been discussing the
possibility OF a conference for mediation, al
though they understood that Germany had
refused to bring pressure to bear on Austria
10 induce her to consent to such plan.
Paris Hoped for Peace
There was hope for peace in Paris year
apo this morning for the public learned that
the French Minister OF the Interior had
announced the receipt of encouraging news
from Berlin.
"rhe situation is now better than has gem
erallv been supposed" said he. 1T is per-
r,issIble TO foresee a moment when negotla-
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