The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-07-31
Phone-RIley 1851
MONDAY July a. 1893
NOW IT CAN BE SEEN


Il Of the real outbreak Of the World war.
The Russians had ordered their general mobil
ization on the afternoon Of July 30, 1914. and
nothing on earth then could avert a European
war save stern French refusal to cooperate
. something which was unlikely in the light
of the steady French encouragement Of war
like movements in Russia from July % on
ward
During the evening Of July 81, Poncare
and his minister held a final and decisive con-
ference on the question Of and peace.
At l a m. Aug l. Izvolski. Russian ambassador
In Paris telegraph the outcome to his chief
In ST Petersburg
He assured him that the French had de-
cided upon war with hearty high spirits" and
urged Russia to throw all her forces against
Germany This was sixteen hours before Ger
many declared war on Russia. in answer TO
the general mobilization. and two and a half
days before Germany declared war on France
This greatest calamity in human history
seems to have taught the human race little.
A series of peace treaties was drawn up which
creased to nearly double their size in 1914
spirit of revenge was bred in Germany,
surprising that implanted in France by the
Prussians in 1871 decade and half Of
bogus internationalism just now has been
abandoned for frank nationalism, political and
economic
Therefore. it is highly appropriate that on
this anniversary of the supreme imbecility of
the inhabitants of this planet, Simon and
Schuster should bring out the first really ade-
quate Photographic history of the World war.
II is entitled, significantly enough. The
First World War" and it has been collected,
selected. and edited under the direction of
the most fitting American for the task, Lau-
renee Stallings.
While there are approximately 200 photo
graphs the value of the book lies not so much
in its bulk and variety as in the representative
and comprehensive character of the pictures
in the almost diabolical cleverness which Mr..
Stallings has shown in his selection of scenes.
He relentlessly exposes the character of
modern war without laying himself open to
the charge of having resorted to the unusual
to drive home his points. His captions are
masterpieces of satire and irony
Not the least interesting element is the in
clusion of many striking headlines from the
New York Times between 1914 and 1918
Any person who can go through this vol
ume carefully and not be overwhelmed with
the criminal stupidity the horrors and suffer-
ings the brutalities and degeneracy of war
deserves to die in barbed wire
We have no space here TO describe the pic
tdre in detail. They must be seen to be ap-
preciated. They run the whole range from the
Congress Of Vienna in 1915, which originated
the balance of power" notion. to the 1929-33
depression. which Professor Shotwell called
the last battle of the war
The generation which armed for peace" is
portrayed Prncip is shown lighting the
fuse" the vast optimism and enthusiasm
which pervaded all capitals when war was
declared is spread amply before us; the
preachers in all countries invoke Gods bless
ing on the slaughter: the pen that proved
more deadly than the sword produces its
propaganda pictures and lies. which "sowed
the seeds Of hate" lines and heaps of mangled
bodies are shown under appropriate captions,
such as mo more parades:" submarine and
air warfare-"wings over Europe"-come in
for proper attention. an ace lies before us,
smashed into bits; the starvation at home is
portrayed: the strutting generals and suave
diplomats are shown at Versailles against
background of an honor roll of slain officers:
war spies are being shot at dawn near Paris
in 1920.
Here is a book that one literally can read
and weep over And one who is sickened by it
well may remember that the Second World
War" will make the First" look like a
Quaker picnic by comparison.