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The position, therefore, is that the British, French and Russian Governments published the whole of their records at an early date. Italy also has published her records; From the publications we possess it is possible to Germany has done so only in part. observe the attitude of all the Powers, and to come to a decision as to what nations sincerely The facts will be stated as wished for peace, and what nations desired, not peace, but war. they appear in these documents. Let the reader draw his own conclusions
June 28th, 1914. On this day the Crown Prince of Austria-Hungary and his Princess, paid a state visit to the town of Serajevo in Bosnia, the capital of the two provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. When entering the town, the Crown Prince and Princess narrowly Later in the day they escaped being killed by a bomb which was thrown at their carriage. were shot by assassins armed with pistols.
July 3rd. The Crown Prince and Princess were buried, and infuriated mobs in Vienna tried to tear down the flag on the Serbian Legation.
July 6th.
waters.
On this date the German Emperor left Kiel for à cruise in Northern
July 7th. There was a conference of Austrian Ministers with the Military and Naval chiefs of staff, and a seven hours Ministerial Council on the Serajevo tragedy.
July 9th. On this day the results of the Austrian investigations into the Serajevo crime and the decisions of the Council having been laid before the aged Austrian Emperor, be agreed to the decision of his Council. This fact was announced on the 10th, but neither the result of the investigations, nor the decision of the Council was disclosed to the public.
July 13th, 14th, There were serious disclosures in France concerning the condition of These disclosures undoubtedly the French Army and its unpreparedness for war. strengthened the hands of the German military party, who believed it would be easy for them to sweep rapidly on to Paris, beat France to the ground, then swiftly turn round with all its forces on Russia.
July 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th. Heavy selling of shares took place in the Canadian Pacific Railways by Berlin dealers. The Canadian Railway is a British Limited Liability Company, and Germans, probably with inside knowledge of Germany's plans, were evidently desirous of obtaining their money before war broke out,
July 16th. Austria-Hungary has two Parliaments, one in Austria, the other in Hungary. On this date, the Prime Minister of Hungary, who later became Prime Minister of Austria- Hungary, declared in the Hungarian Parliament that war was now a sad necessity. was a week before Austria sent her demands to Serbia.
This
July 23rd, Thursday, Austria, having secretly made her warlike preparations, now for Without publishing any proof of the first time disclosed her intentions towards Serbia, Serbian guilt, Austria now forwarded a formal despatch containing certain demands, These demands took the form of an ultimatum, and their acceptance by the Serbian Government in tote was required within 48 hours. The ultimatum included a form of
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apology to be published on a specified date by the Serbian Government, and ten engagements which the Serbian Government were to accept. These engagements were of so bumiliating a character that acceptance would have made Serbia a vassal of Austria. They were so worded that it was evident Austria did not expect or want them to be accepted. On the contrary, the terms clearly indicate that Austria expected and wanted immediate war, so that she could swiftly occupy Belgrade, the Serbian capital, which is close to the Austrian border.
The British Foreign Minister, Sir Edward Grey, having received a brief summary of the ultimatum, interviewed the Austrian Ambassador to England, and deplored the fixing of a time limit as a first step. He pointed out that the possible consequences of the situation were terrible, probably involving all Europe in a war. He urged that Austria and Russia should enter into a discussion to settle the Serbian difficulty.
July 24th. Friday. This was an anxious day in the Chancelleries of Europe, the begin- ing of many anxious days. The complete details of the ultimatum were not communicated to the other Powers of Europe until this day, thus giving them only one clear day for action. Moreover, whether accidentally or purposely, no more extraordinary time could have been chosen for the delivery of the ultimatum, for important personages were absent from home. In this grave time of crisis, whether accidentally or intentionally, the German Emperor was absent ou a cruise. The President and Prime Minister of France were on a State visit to Russia, and had instantly to curtail their visit and rush back a five days journey to Paris. As the British Ambassador in Russia telegraphed to Sir Edward Grey: "It looks as though "Austria purposely chose this moment to present her ultimatum." The Emperor of Austria was away from the Capital, at Ischl, and after the issue of the ultimatum the Prime Minister also left the Capital for Ischl, so that there was no responsible statesman in the Austrian Capital with whom to discuss. Can anyone doubt that the issue of the ultimatum had been timed to make discussion by the nations useless? In other words, that war had been pre- arranged by Germany and Austria !
It is absolutely certain that Germany was consulted by Austria before the ultimatum was issued, because Austria was entirely dependent upon German support in case of war with Russia. It cannot be doubted also that Germany agreed to the ultimatum before it was issued.
At any rate, the German Government lost no time in informing the Powers that it approved the Austrian note, stating that it considered the demands "equitable and moderate," and that Austria's action had the unhesitating approval of the German Government. The German Government also stated that the Austrian action was rendered necessary by the Pan-Serbian propaganda, which aimed at the incorporation with Serbia of the southern Slav provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina; that if Austria wished to remain a great Power it could not avoid pressing the demands made, even by military means; and that the question was one which concerned no Powers except Austria and Serbia.
Russia was unable to agree that the Austrian demands were only directed against Serbia. Serbia is a country peopled by Slavs, of the same race as Russia, and Russia stood
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