Page:The History of The Great European War Vol 1.pdf/28

 at once seized upon by Austria as a pretext for war, and, together with certain incidental matters alleged by Austria, persisted in as a casus belli under circumstances which made war inevitable. There is no doubt that Austria had for a long time desired war with Servia, and that the assassination and the alleged incidents were nothing but a pretext. And there is no doubt that Germany stood by Austria, supporting her in the position she was taking up. There can be no doubt either that both Austria and Germany knew well the inevitable consequences of the war and that they even welcomed and eagerly anticipated them. That the assassination was criminal, and none the less criminal because of its political nature, no one will deny. The fact that the Archduke personified dynastic autocracy and selfishness as against national popular rights and aspirations may explain the crime, but cannot excuse it.

The events which took place consequent upon the assassination, and ultimately ended not only in war between Austria and Servia, but in general war between the Great Powers of Europe, are of such great importance and interest that it will be wise to defer an account of them until the reader is in a position more clearly to understand the international relations with which they were so intimately involved. These relations will be the subject- matter of subsequent chapters.