Show (European Mar JULIUS B BEARNSON In reviewing the great European struggle we look back on one Gavrio Prinzip who on June 28th assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand heir to the imperial throne of Austria-Hungar- y and wonder if this Servian fanatic should assume all the blame for Europe’s being ravaged by huge armies full of rack ruin widows weeping women and fatherless children For when naWe think not to arm to talk tions continued war and to think war there only remained the question of time until some pretext for fighting appear These preparations for war have been going on for years And now the costly armaments that nations have built up with the supposed object of protecting them in their hour of need have been brought into action for reasons that are indirect rather than obvious What has German militarism to do with it? Hugo Schweitzer tells us that German militarism is the defense of home and family which has been forced on continental nations because they live so close to each other Forced to become prepared for war because of close Christian neighbors Was this the reason for Germany’s violation of Belgium’s neutrality? Again we think not For in 1831 the independence of this little coun- - try was guaranteed by an in- ternational congress Austria’s attack upon Servia immediate- ly invoked Russia Germany was bound by her alliance to come to Austria’s aid But why wasn’t she bound to respect the independence and neutrality of Belgium? That we know not We do know however that what Germany needs most in addition to more territory is a seaport on the North Sea This would give her direct access to the ocean and the rich mineral deposits in eastern Belgium And this iron industry is closely rivaling similar industries in the Rhine valley Austria held Servia as a nation responsible for the asslna-tio- n of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife But why did Austria send an ultimatum to Belgrade making demands that the Servians if they maintained their independence could not admit? Probably this it Austria has desired to have as much as possible of the Christian territory of Southeastern Europe kept nuder the nominal authority of Turkey for two reasons First Austria feared Russia’s influence with the new countries of Servia Bulgaria Montenegro and Rumania Second Austria wished to have as much as possible of all this territory remain Turkish in order that she herself ex-nlai- ns |