Page:Collier's New Encyclopedia v. 10.djvu/486

LEFT WOBLD WAR 416 WORLD WAR power now stood in the way of her peaceful absorption of the Ottoman Em- pire, while Russian protection of Slav nations became an increasing and power- ful menace. Germany had become the greatest military power on earth, with a peace stren^h of 870,000 men. The growth of socialism threatened the mon- archy. The Military party backed by monarchists, junkers, and agrarians be- lieved that the hour was at hand when Germany could measure strength with her enemies and become the World Em- pire that for three decades had been the dream of the governing class. Through servile professors and a sub- sidized press the people were educated to share the same view. On July 25 Aus- tria presented a note to Serbia the com- plete acceptance of which would have forced Serbia to resign her independent nationality and rights as a sovereign state. Serbia agreed to fulfill all de- mands but two, which she offered to sub- ized her southern commands. Germany now made a bid for British neutrality, promising that no territorial acquisi- tion would be made at the expense of France should she prove victorious in war. The German Government however, would make no such promises regarding French colonies. As regards Belgium the integrity of the kingdom would be respected after the war provided she had not sided against Germany, On July 30, Sir Edward Grey rejected Ger- many's offer to secure Britain's neutral- ity and proposed a new Council of Eu- rope to consider the crisis. On July 31, Germany issued an ultimatum to Russia demanding immediate demobilization. Sir Edward Grey asked Germany and France if they would respect Belgium's neutrality provided no other nation at- tempted to violate it. France agreed at once, but Germany was silent. Telegrams passed between Kaiser, Czar and British king, but Germany declined all attempts T AMIENS)  / ^f '.'^i HIR50N MONTDIDIS/^ 'noya /?ozay LP^ F£J?E %S>/550A//v£ LA ON $ii:;f-*JSft: RerrHEL COMPIE6NE • CREPy^ SENUh rBEAUMOHTL S0I550N ,^0 REli^S youzfis XAPREMONT .EPT'j PARIS THE BATTLE OF THE MARNE, SEPT. 5 -18. L9»4 CHATEAU >.P, vEPERNAr S -^MENEHfiOLD ^ I COl/LOMMieP^ F£e£ ^ • S£ZftN/v£ VEf?DuN CHALONi) _^^iCrRiAuco0/er ^TMIHIEL XOMMERCy, BATTLE OP THE MABNE mit to The Hague Conference. Austria insisted on complete acceptance and be- ing refused, her minister at Belgrade left on the following day. Sir Edward Grey suggested to Germany, France and Italy the calling of a conference to mediate in the quarrel. Germany alone declined on the ground that Russia and Austria were then trying to settle the difficulty. On July 28, Austria declared war on Serbia and bombarded Belgrade; Belgium mobilized; Germany recalled her High Sea Fleet and Britain assem- bled her naval forces. Following Aus- tria's invasion of Serbia, Russia mobil- to avert the crisis. In the evening of Saturday, August 1, Germany declared war on Russia. On August 3, Sir Ed- ward Grey in the House of Commons described the situation. Britain was bound by treaty obligations to protect the neutrality of Belgium. On the same date King Albert asked for help. Britain was not bound to France by any offen- sive or defensive alliance, but had given France the assurance that if the Ger- man fleet attacked her coasts, or ship- ping, the British fleet would act. Ger- many had demanded a free passage through Belgium for her armies, and