Peace; World War, 1914-1918 -- Personal narratives
July, to explain to the Russian government that Germany declared the
state of war as counter-measure against the general mobilization of the
Russian army and navy, which must be followed by mobilization if Russia
did not cease its military measures against Germany and Austria-Hungary
within twelve hours, and notified Germany thereof.
As the time then given to Russia had expired without the receipt of
reply to the Emperor's inquiry, the Emperor ordered the mobilization of
the entire army and navy on August the first at five p. m. The German
ambassador at St. Petersburg was instructed that in the event of the
Russian government not giving a satisfactory reply within the stated
time, he should declare that Germany considered itself in a state of war
after a refusal of her demands. However, a confirmation of the execution
of this order had been received, Russian troops crossed the frontier,
and marched into German territory. A few hours later France mobilized,
and the next day opened hostilities.
There were still hopes that England would come to the fore and settle
the dispute. She said that she would remain neutral, providing Germany
did not touch French coast, Russian coast, and respected the neutrality
of Belgium. But Germany did not see how to make this promise and still
meet her two formidable enemies, and thus a world-war began.
Just as it will take time to say who will be the winner and who the
loser by this war, so it will take time to say who was responsible for
this condition. For nations as well as for individuals, supremacy
becomes mere madness when it is gained by guns and battleships. This
bellicose system may once have been popular when piracy and feudalism
prevailed, but this military peace, which trembles and rumbles all the
time, forewarns earthquakes.
It was an American who made the peace palace a reality. It must be
America again who will make eternal peace more than a promise. When the
time comes for the stopping of this awful carnage and bloodshed, America
must insist that every nation in the world shall lay down her arms and
that they shall change their men-of-war into merchant marines for the
benefit of mankind. This is the fulfillment of the building of the
Panama Canal.
WHAT THE WORLD-WAR WILL MEAN TO WOMANKIND
Have you ever stopped to think what this world-war will mean to
womankind? While thousands of Germans, Russians, French and English are
daily slaughtered, wounded or captured, what does this mean to the
thousands of women who are patiently waiting for their return?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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