Lanterna Rally

Author: Knights of the Maccabees

Publisher:

Published: 2015-07-06

Total Pages: 38

ISBN-13: 9781330835333

Excerpt from The Maccabees in the World War June 28, 1914, a bullet, smaller than a sewing thimble, pierced the vitals of the Prince jl Imperial of Austria-Hungary and brought Jdown upon the earth a deluge of death, suffering and destruction such as mankind had never before experienced. History simply calls it The World War, but in these three solemn words is summed up the whole range of human tragedy from the innocent victim in the cradle to the proud nation that over night faded into memory. Who Caused The War? Perhaps time will one day definitely and irrefutably place the blame for the war. This much we now know; the train of war-like events that started with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the dual throne of Austria-Hungary, at Serajevo, June 28 th, 1914, had its inception in Vienna and was fostered by Berlin. A formal inquiry into the assassination was made, but of this the world heard but little. And then on that ill-omened day, July 23, 1914, Austria-Hungary served its ultimatum on Serbia, demanding the latter submit to humiliating terms terms utterly uncalled for in the eyes of all nations l)ut those few which were predetermined to accept the slightest pretense to involve all Europe in war. Austria had no satisfactory proof that Serbia as a nation was involved in the murder of Ferdinand. Serbia, and many other nations as well, knew this and sensed the real intent of the ultimatum was war. Europe was aghast at the potential evil in the situation. Statesmen of the chief powers of the west tried in vain to temper Austrias belligerency. Serbia sent her answer to the dual monarch on July 2.5th, protesting her innocence in the alleged conspiracy. But the little nation, counseled by the Triple Entente and Russia, agreed to Austrias terms. Serbias tone was conciliatory and she promised to submit all issues inolved to the Hague. Austria, to her undying shame and regret, ignored this reasonable, even humble, offer, and on July 28 th formally declared war on Serbia. Russia had begged the Austrians to postpone action for a few days at least, but Vienna was truculent, and on July 27 th the Russians formally pledged their aid to their Slavic Allv. Thus the controversv became chiefly one between Russia and Austria. Steps were taken by SayonofT, Foreign Minister of Russia, to avert the impending strife. Perhaps Sayonoff knew too well that Russia was not prepared to fight, and especially without the aid of France, who as yet was neutral, but to the great and unfortunate nation of the Czars belongs indisputably the credit for attempting to prevent war when war was craed by militaristic Germany through her Allies. Elven in the face of this situation, France, nominally Russias Ally, and England joined in an endea-or to establish mediation. It seemed for a time, until July 31 st, that their efforts would succeed. But Austria had already progressed in her preparation for the invasion of Serbia, and Russia was not far behind her in mobilization. Up to this time the power to fight or to maintain peace lay between Austria and Russia. It seems entirely safe to state that the Austrians, alone, would have responded to the importunities of the Russians for peace. But Germany stood in the way, for every normal mind knows the German government counseled, and probably directed, every move of the Austrians toward a European war. While Germany has divulged much war correspondence she has never given to the world the communications between her Foreign Office and Vienna during this critical period. Suffice to say, Austria was Germanys stepping stone to the Balkans and Constantinople, for vast ambitions in the east which Teutonic minds had dreamed for many, many years. Ecn Rohrbach, the well informed German writer, has gone on record as saying that Germany promised, after the murder at Serajevo, to stand by Austria for life and death. Germany denied any knowledge of the Austrian ultimatum prior to its service on Serbia, but .