Trench and camp. [volume] (Augusta, Ga.) 1917-1919, 1918-06-26

aslen Of Bosnia end Herzegovina.
II ws1 fsersd fer u tine That this
setion weHid pseelgitsse q general
European war, aertIz and Mortsne-
gre we're bitterly stirred. Much De-
pended apen Russia. But she was
eniy tee rsesntly recovering from
wars pFossraslcn to engage in gen.
eral conflict.
In March of 1909 the German Ann-
bassador at St. Petersburg, with an
autograph letter from the Kaiser, pre-
sented himself TO the Gear. Russia
Immediately reversed herself. She
adopted tho view of Austria and Ger
many. Bulgarian independence under
Gear Ferdinand was recognized and
compensation for the Sultan's rights
in the province was agreed upon.
With this came the conclusion Of tho
Young Turks revolt in the deposit
ton Of Abdul Hanid II.
The settlement Of the dispute over
Bosnia and Herzegovina was seen to
be but temporary adjustment. More
significant than all else was the sud
den efnergenee Of Germany as the are
bitter Of Europe.
Germany had sanctioned the viola
ton of international law. She had
shown that no dependence could be
placed upon her own or her allies
Observance of treaty obligation, for
Austria's whole procedure was In vio-
lation of international agreement.
Little Serbia, reused by the anneza-
ton Of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to-
wards the acquisition of which she had
looked for the development of a
greater Serbia, made representations
to the powers. She hoped to gain
some concessions. But she was met
only with stern refusals, and ii was
not until March 81, 1909, that she
finally accepted terms OF concilia-
tory declaration suggested by Britain.
In 1911 Morocco again demanded
Europe's attention and German ag-
gression almost brought about the
war Germany insisted that the
French military occupation was un~
justified and she demanded territorial
concessions elsewhere. To reinforce
her demand she sent a gunboat 70
Algeciras.
England became involved. She
made formal protest that she had
not been consulted and declared she
would recognize no agreement in
which she did not have a voice. Feel
ing against England ran high in Ger
many and diplomatic exchanges con-
tinued for many days. Then Lloyd
George condemned the exclusion Of
England from the negotiations and de-
clared that peace at that price would
be intolerable.
GERMANY DEFERs THE WAR
Germany soon afterward announced
that she had no intention of establish
ing herself in Morocco and repudiated
the idea of injuring British interests.
Finally Frances protectorate was rec
ogniged but she eeded some Congo
basin territory.
The incident disclosed two facts
first, that the Entente between Eng
land and France was no ilinsory thing
but an actual alliance; second, that
Germany. while obviously eager to be-
gin the great war had determined it
wiser to wait. England looked to the
naval programmes and found Germany
building with frantic haste.
First Morocco; then the Balkans
this seemed to be the order, and in
1912 Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro and
Greece mebilizsd against Turkey,
The powers of Europe, balanced BY
the Triple Alliance and the Triple En-
tente, served notice on the bel1iger-
ents that the territorial statue QUO
must hemair unsltered. But It vas
soon apparent that this could not be,
for Turkeys collapse was complete.
The great powers could not look on
disinterestediy with such a division of
spells. Austria prepared for mobiliza-
ton; Russia took similar steps, Then
Turkey asked the powers to mediate.
An armistice was declared; but no
agreement seemed possible and hostil-
tiles were resumed. In March of 1918
the terms offered by the powers were
accepted by Turkey. The war was
declared ended. But Serbia and
Greece declared war ON Bulgaria. In
june of that year peace was finally
arranged by the Intervention of the
Gar of Russia.
'1ie Balkan situation now found
Serbia with a new national enthusiasm.
with a strengthened military prestige
and with increased territorial holdings.
her new national enthusiasm inspired
commercial ambitions and a conse-
quent desire for port on the Adriatic.
When the Archduke was killed in
Sarajevo 1t was not to avenge his
death that the ulti11atnm was sent to
Serbia. Germany had decided that the
moment was st hand TO strike. Aus
tria was almost completely her vassaR.
So Germany whispered that Serbia
was menace. Germany goaded Aus
tria into war.
For Germany was readyl
8. o. s.