On July 25, 1914, Servia humbled herself to the dust at the feet of Austria, to appease her for the murder of her crown prince by a crazy and criminal fool; and little Servia conceded everything that giant Austria demanded, save a practical surrender of her national honor. Austria had fully made up her mind to destroy Servia, anyhow; and in that connection Germany and her Kaiser decided the event would serve well for starting the great war of conquest for which the Germans had long and lovingly been preparing. The Czar begged the Kaiser not to consent to the slaughter of little Servia by the Austrian big bully. The Kaiser replied that Austria should have a free hand. The Czar appealed to England and to France, to help him avert a war; and both those nations did their level best to avert hostilities. No plea that could postpone the clash of armies, or promote a peaceful settlement was omitted. The last telegram of Czar Nicholas to Kaiser Wilhelm (August 1) was a pathetic appeal for delay, and a chance "to negotiate for the welfare of our two countries and the universal peace which is so dear to our hearts. With the aid of God," said the Czar, "it must be possible to our long-tried friendship to prevent the shedding of blood." To this the Kaiser icily replied: "Although I asked for a reply by to-day noon [to his telegraphed ultimatum], no telegram from my Ambassador has reached me," and "I therefore have been forced to mobilize my army." Germany's many statements that France began hostilities with her are one and all totally false. Now, here is a significant fact: On July 14, 1917, in a speech before the Austrian Reichsrath former Minister Praschek (a Czech) cried out: "=Must we continue to sacrifice our interests for the expansion of Germany? Must we continue to submit to the German militarism that has drawn us into this war?=" Alas! At last the truth is out, officially and openly! We thought as much! Many men have believed that Germany shoved Austria into the war, because Germany was all ready for her great offense, and the murder at Sarajevo served as a convenient excuse. If Germany had not backed up Austria, and Russia had forbidden Austria to attack Servia, =there would have been no war=! But Germany hailed that murder as her heaven-sent opportunity to begin. It was to her "Der Tag"! All the world knows that if the Kaiser had sent a nine-word telegram to Austria, at a cost of one mark, saying: "Do not begin war on Servia until further notice," Austria would not have dared go on! But no! William and his Germans refused to admonish Austria, or to delay hostilities by Germany. "We can not interfere with the plans of our Ally;" said William, "and we have mobilized." =And thus did the German people and their Kaiser begin the war to which they had so long and so eagerly looked forward.= 2. GERMANY'S RUTHLESS DEVOTION TO SELF INTEREST.