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The murder of the Archduke and Duchess was committed on June 28th, 1914, at Serajevo. It was a crime which aroused ali Europe to indignation. The deed was committed by two youths, both under age.
Now, it is important to note that the two youths who committed the crime were both Austrian, not Serbian subjects, and, such being the case, Austria, not Serbia, was responsible. The crime was committed at Serajevo, which is in Austrian, not Serbian territory. It was, therefore, the duty of Austria, not of Serbia, to safeguard the Prince and Princess, and to control her own subjects.
Why then did Austria lay the charge at the door of Serbia? The real reason was The ostensible reason was that the something far greater than the ostensible reason given.
This may. murder was plotted, and the materials provided by a Secret Society in Serbia. or may not, be true.
It is certainly not sufficient justification for plunging the world into But to this day Austria has failed to publish its war and destroying millions of lives. evidence against Serbia for this charge.
The murderers were caught, and, according to the Austrian judges, the trial revealed that the arms with which the wicked deed was committed were provided by a Secret Society of Serbia. This statement may be true, but though Russia begged that the evidence be published, Austria would not consent.
Now, seeing that the murderers were Austrian subjects, it might reasonably be said that Austria had sole responsibility for her own subjects. Austria, however, declared that the plot for the murder was arranged in Serbia itself, that the Pan-Serbian Secret Society, which had its headquarters in Serbia, was at the bottom of the crime, and that Serbian military officers were leading members of this secret society.
Fuller details of the subsequent proceedings will be found in another chapter on the Negotiations for Peace. Suffice it to say here that after four weeks' delay Austria, with the approval or advice of Germany, sent an ultimatum to Serbia. This ultimatum was conched in terms which, if accepted, would have placed Serbia at the mercy of Austria, and threatened its integrity and independence. Serbia was told that these terms must be accepted entire within 48 hours, or Austria would commence military operations.
What was Serbia to do? Only the brief space of 48 hours was allowed for her decision. She consulted Russia, which, being of the same Slav Race as Serbia, stood in the position of friend and protector. Under Russia's advice all the terms but two were accepted, and these two were also accepted in so far that Serbia offered to submit them to the Hague Tribunal and to abide by the decision. Austria, backed by Germany, refused to accept this reply, declaring it insincere, and mobilised her troops against Serbia.
This action brought Russia into the dispute. It was impossible for Russia to stand by and see a small nation of her own race crushed under the power of Austria. Russia was willing that Serbia should be adequately punished, if guilty, but not that its integrity and independence should be destroyed.
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Here was a terrible state of things. If Austria went to war with Serbia, Russia must declare war on Austria, whereupon Germany, as ally of Austria, would declare war on Russia. France, as ally of Russia, must also declare war on Germany and Austria, and all Europe would be in a blaze. The time was hopelessly short. What was to be done? Russia appealed to Austria to allow more time, but Austria, backed by Germany, refused it.
England had no direct interests in Serbia, nor in the Balkans, but during the Balkan War of 1912, the British Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sir Edward Gray, by great tact and energy, bad succeeded in localising the struggle, thus preventing the Great Powers from being drawn into the quarrel. He now used every means in his power, up to the very last moment, to induce Germany to influence Austria towards moderation and peace. He proposed that Germany and Italy, allies of Austria, on the one hand, and France and England on the other, should act as moderators. italy, France, and England were only too willing. Germany alone, not only would not consent to do so, but would not even bring her well-known influence to bear on Austria to modify the impossible terms demanded of Serbia, or to delay her attack, pending regotiations. One word from Germany would have prevented war. That word she would not speak, for her Military Party, being in readiness for war, wanted war.
Britain, France, Russia and Italy sought by every means to avert the War. Only Germany refused. On July 31st, while Russia and Austria were discussing terms of settlement, and with favourable prospects of success, Germany launched her ultimatum against Russia.
Germany did this, although on that very day she had received two telegrams of the greatest importance. One of these was from Russia, saying that Russia was willing to submit all points in dispute to the Hague Conference for arbitration. The other was from Britain, saying that if Germany would suggest any kind of Conference for a settlement, Britain would use its utmost endeavours to secure the assent of Russia and France, and, if either of them refused, Britain would stand aside and give them no support.
Germany bad been too long intoxicated with a sense of military power. War, not Peace, was her desire, and Germany was the first to declare War.
IX. The Negotiations to Avoid War.
It is now proposed to give a summary of the negotiations for peace, which took place
in the fateful month of July and the beginning of August, 1914. It is impossible to give all the detail for three reasons; first, the despatches, telegrams and records of interviews supplied by the Ministers of the various countries fill several volumes; second, Austria bas not published her records as the other nations have done; and, third, Germany has not ventured to publish all her records, omitting important portions, especially her communications with Austria. These latter have been called for time and again, but in vain. If they contained evidence of Germany's sincerity for peace why not have published them long ago? It is evident that neither Germany nor Austria wishes to publish them, for they would thereby prove to the world the nature of their designs.
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