The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-09-11
BACKGROUND
OF THE WAR
Digest Of War News
From All Fronts

/ With the world on the brink OF
another major catastrophe, it is
well to recall the fateful array of
events that began in 1914. AL
though some of the principals
and causes are different today,
there are many similiarities be-
tween the recently begun hostili-
ties and the first World War.
Let's take a look at the records
and see for ourselves:
Fighting got underway on July
%, 1914 when Austria Hungary
declared war on Serbia, and end
led November IL, 1918 in gen
eral armistice. Twenty-nine ma
ations, the Allies, fought against
Germany, Austria Hungary, Ttlr-
key and Bulgaria, the Central
/ Powers.
Little Spark; Big Explosion
The spark that set off the fire
works was the assassination of
Arch-duke Ferdinand, Austrian
heir apparent, and his wife at the
capital of Bosnia, Sarajevo, June
E28, 1914 Hitler declared Polish
treatment of Germans was his
reason for entering Poland's Dor
ders. But, as in 1914, that reason
wa7 only the means of actually
beginning hostilitieS.
A long list of near-war events
preceded the Ferdinand murder
the same as the present. Then
economic rivalry, international
politics and an armament race
made Europe virtually a powder
key. Practically those same rea-
sons may be blamed for the War
of 1899,
A note. containing demands,
was sent Serbia by Austria Hun
gary Immediately after the as
sassination. The reply granted
most of the demands and stated
that Serbia was willing to submit
the entire mess to The Hague
Tribunal. Austria fatty turned
down the Serbian reply and de-
cided definitely not to hand the
problems to any international
arbitrators. In that rings note
of the crisis of today.
War Inevitable
After a series of diplomatic ac-
tons, Sir Edward Gil ey, foreign
affairs secretary Of England, sug-
gested four-power conference
of France, Italy, Germany and
England to settle the differences
that had arisen between Austria
Hungary and Russia, who had
declared on July "a, 1914 that she
would mobilize the day Austrian
troops crossed into Serbia. Ger
many rejected the proposal. Aus
tria would not relent in her ulti-
matum TO Serbia and as all eff
forts for peace failed, the dec
laration of war was inevitable.
Then, as today, England began
frantic diplomatic events and for
"a while it seemed a settlement
was in the offing. Germany,
meanwhile, demanded Russia
stop her military preparations,
but no reply was forthcoming,
and on August l, 1914 Germany
declared war on Russia. On that
date, Germany inquired of France
what she would do and the
French replied they would act to
their best interests, whereupon,
on August 3, Germany declared
la state OF war existed between
her and France.
England Declares War
France and Russia wanted
England to help them; Germany
wanted her to remain neutral,
but Great Britain decided to stay
in the middle and act as media
tor. However, Britain did agree to
protect the northern French coast
on August 2, 1914. Then came
Germany's refusal to respect Bel
gums neutrality. The little coun-
try called upon the signers of the
Treaty of 1889 to act. Britain.
therefore. issued a declaration of
war against Germany on Aug
ust 4.
Italy, with Germany and Aus
tria, had formed Triple ALI
ance, but the Italian government
refused to help those countries
when war broke out and estab-
lished her neutrality. Could it be
the same now? The Central
Powers tried to win back Italy
with promises of territory beyond
the Adriatic but the attempt
failed and on May "a. 1915 she
decided to fight against her for
mer allies. Today, Hitler prom
ises Mussolini that if he helps
Germany in this war, the next
detectives of the Axis will be for
the benefit of Italy.
Japan Wanted Revenge
Because Germany had aided in
depriving Japan of the victors'
spoils after the Sino-Japanese
lCnnfinIlnd on paan Eniirl