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menaced by an aggressive Germany, and entered into a defensive alliance. Russia and France had little cause for anxiety so far as Austria and Italy were concerned, friendly Germany was the sole firebrand of relations continuing to exist with those countries.
Europe and the world, and it was for protection against Germany that Russia and France entered into their Alliance. Thus began the modern Balance of Power, on the one hand Germany, Austria and Italy; on the other, France and Russia. Many attempts were made to bring Britain into the Franco-Russian Alliance, but she sought rather to make friends with all the nations, and to work for a better understanding all round. To this end the English King, Edward VII., entered into friendly relations with the other nations everywhere, and desired to do the same with Germany. His object, and that of British policy, was to find some method of bringing Germany and France into harmony, but the time had not yet arrived. When war broke out England was on excellent terms with Austria, Italy, and all the other Powers. England was also on good terms with Germany, and had as her policy the endeavour to work for peace, and for modification of the burden of armaments. Two years ago Britain offered to Germany a year's holiday from the building of warships, that is, that neither nation should build warships for a year. Germany refused.
England has always declined to join any European Alliance, being desirous of avoiding the complications of continental politics, and believing that her position of independence would be of equal or greater value in the interests of the Peace of Europe. But the offensive attitude of Germany in recent years compelled her to enter into sympathetic relations, Thus, at the outbreak of War, especially with France, and in a less degree with,Russia. the Balance of Power consisted, on the one hand, of the Triple Alliance, Germany, Austria and Italy, and on the other, the Triple Entente of England, France and Russia.
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THE EXCUSE FOR THE WAR.
VIII.
Austria and Serbia.
That the main responsibility for the War rests upon the insatiable ambition of the Military Party in Germany is clearly shown by the evidence which has been given to the world. Their principal aim was to annex Belgium with her colonies, reduce France and seize her colonies, cripple England, expand Austro-German influence in the Balkan States, control Turkey and Asia Minor, dominate Africa, and obtain, through a strongly fortified Tsing-Tao, a powerful influence in the Far East. That is the policy planned and openly advocated in the book published three years ago by a German General, as explained in Chapter III, and this present war has proved that his plans were indeed the Imperial plans.
For twenty years the King of Prussia, who is also German Emperor, has been shaking his mailed fist" in the face of the world. He shook it in the face of China and extorted Tsing-Tao. He has shaken it in the face of France, of Russia, and of Britain, but in vain. He has not shaken it in the face of Turkey, the blood-stained Oppressor, preferring affectionately to shake her Sultan's hand, until opportunity should serve to tighten
his bold.
All this time he has loudly protested himself as the Protector of the Peace of the World. Just as the village bully loudly talks of his justice and peacefulness, while all the time rubbing his fists, or shaking his club, so has it been with the Prussian King. Even the village bully feels compelled to find some excuse for attacking and robbing a family. In like manner the Prussian King, having fully prepared his army, organised every detail of attack, and completed his Navy, seized with avidity upon the murder of the Archduke of Austria as an excuse for breaking the peace. Fearing that Russia and Austria might come to terms if allowed time for discussion, the Kaiser rushed io with a declaration of War upon Russia.
THE EXCUSE.
What then is this excuse that Prussia has seized upon with such alacrity? The deed upon which the excuse was founded has been called the crime of Serbia, but it might with even greater accuracy be called the crime of Austria. It was the murder of the Archduke and Archduchess of Austro-Hungary. This murder was a wicked deed, but if the history of the crime be studied it will be found that the cause of the murder lay in the misgovernment of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Let us examine the facts and get to the root of the
matter,
!
!
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