The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-07-23
YEAR AGO TODAY.

~N year ago today the Austrian government sent
to Serbia the impossible ultimatum, which was
~ really the start Of the great war. The ultimatum
was Of such nature that It really demanded war. While
PEACE negotiations and diplomatic Interchange continued
between the countries now fighting desperately until
almost q week after the uldnatum was delivered, it was
evident from July % that peace was a thing much to be
desired but impossible Of gaining. From the time the
uitnatum was delivered, the war was a sure thing. The
nations on the verge Of plunging into the awful conflict
made final preparations for the worst, and the worst soon
tame.
Europe has now had a year OF war, and the chances
For peace at this moment seem Just as remote as they did
when Austria demanded the impossible OF her neighbor.
We have heard rumors Of peace. but no definite action Of
any consequence has been taken along this line. The
fact Of the matter is that peace just now is impossible.
None Of the fighting nations has reached the point that
they are Wiling to give in. For Germany to give up the
fight would simply mean the obliteration Of that nation.
while the Allies won't bulge an inch until they are forced
TO do SO. Germany, surrounded on all sides by hostile
forces, is lighting for her very life and with a courage
and spirit that demands the respect Of her worst enemies.
A year Of war. A year Of horrors, a year Of slaughter
Such as the world has never known. There is only one
definition Of war. That definition was given by Sherman
years ago. He said War is He'll, and he hit the nail
on the head. But the war now on in Europe is
even more hellish in its nature than the one in which
Sherman took part. Where armies then numbered tens
Of thousands, they number millions now; where tens OF
thousands were slaughtered on the b%attlefelds Of the
great civil war in this country, millions have been killed
and wounded in the first year of "Europe's Disgrace"
To those who are not in close touch with the situation
IN Europe and who can secure no first hand information.
the reports from the front seem almost too terrible to be
trSe.
What nation is to blame for the war? Who ordered the
daughter Of the best blood Of Europe? Who stands
entity Of this great crime against humanity, the greatest
crime Of the ages? All, there's the rub. The Allies say
the Germans, and the Germans say the Allies. The
blame IL shifted from shoulder to shoulder, and the war
goes on. The truth is that both the Allies and the Germans
are to blame. There was no cause for the fearful carnage
and the sacrifice Of the millions OF human lives that have
been plotted out in Europes war arena. A compromise
could have been made; an adjustment of the difficulties
brought about through arbitration had good judgment
been used. But the war demon had the rulers in his
grasp, they would not listen to reason. Nothing could
settle the dispute but the sword. And they have paid a
htgh price already for their folly.
Americans should thank God that this country has thus
far been kept out Of the dispute, and they should see
that the United States remains at peace and preserves
! strict and honorable neutrality.