The Dominion. THURSDAY, JULY 30, 1914. ALL EYES ON RUSSIAN.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2215, 30 July 1914, Page 6

The Dominion. THURSDAY, JULY 30, 1914. ALL EYES ON RUSSIA N.

| War between Austria and Servia has now begun. What will happen before it ends is more than tho most confident authority on international politics can venture to predict. The imagination may conjure up appalling pictures, and no one can say that they are beyond the limits, of possibility. ' A general European war would certainly result in a setback to civilisation. The vast armaments which would be thrown into such a'gigantic struggle,. and the utilisation of all the doath-dcaling appliances which modern scionce has' invented would cause unparalleled destruction, and tho devastation would be terrible. The eyes of the world are now fixed, upon Russia, Is it possible for the Tsar's armies to keep within tho frontiers of RussiaT The situation is extremely critical; for it is stated that even a partial mobilisation of Russian troops would be followed immediately by the active intervention of Ger : many, which nothing would hold back. The peace of Europe is hanging in the balance, and at the moment everything depends upon the action of the Tsar's Government. If Russia is going to take,a hand, the decision is almost sure to como swiftly, because in war a great deal often depends in getting in the first blow. The moment Russia makes an aggressive movement methods of diplomacy will be forthwith abandoned and the guns of Europe will begin to speak without further parleying. It may be true—it'probably is—that Germany has no desire for war, but as soon as it becomes clear that other nations will be drawn into the struggleybetwfien Austria and Servia she willv probably strike with all speed, knowing well the enormous advantage to be derived from getting to work more quickly than her j opponents. Tho whole of Europe has ' been thrown into a state of feverish 1 excitement. Now that war has actually commenced, the world is waiting with intense anxiety for the next move—for some decisive indication of what'the Triple Alliance intends to do, and for the Triple Entente to show its hand. The report that Brita.in has made it plain that there will be no European war with Bri-

i tain left out may bc i taken as a hint 1 that the whole Empire must be prepared for any emergency. It brings the seriousness of the situationright home to us even in these remote parts. If Britain should be forced into war, the British Empire will be at war, and no British co'm- , nihility worthy of tho name would desire to stand aloof even if such a craven attitude were possible. We ' all stand togothcr. There still _ appears to be some hope, though it is not a very strong one, that the .effort which is being made to prevent the war from spreading may succeed. Britain docs not desire 1 to take part in the dispute between Austria and Servia, a.nd-it is stated that Austria and Russia are in direct negotiation. It may be possible for some understanding to be arrived at whereby Russia may agree to maintain a neutral attitudo providing that Austria will undertake not to annex any territory; but it is very doubtful whether, at the end of a successful "war, the Dual Monarchy would be able to .resist the temptation,of territorial expansion, and if Austria were once in possession Russia would be at an enormous disadvantage in any attempt to dislodge her. The conflicting, interests of Austria and Russia in the Balkans have caused serious friction more than onco during recent years'; and it is almost in : ' conceivable that another, great forward move on tho part of the Dual Monarchy could bo permitted without a.struggle by'the Tsar's Government. It is therefore probable that, unless something, at present unforeseen happens, Russia will come to Servia's assistance, and' that would almost certainly result in a great European war. Britain is already making _ preparations in order to be in readiness for whatever may. happen. Tho fleet >is being mobilised, and great aetivity prevails at Portsmouth. In a |crisis of such gravity •all party considerations are naturally boing se| aside. An impressive illustration -of tho proper nationalspirit is provided by the action of the House of Commons in postponing the general discussion on the Navv Estimates. Mb. Long, a: leading Unionist,-pointed out that at the present juncture there should be unanimous support of the Government, and this suggestion met with tho approval of Mb. Ramsay ; MacDonald, the well-know.n Labour member. The same spirit will prevail throughout the Empire. When tho nation'ssafety is at stake all seetional interests shrink into comparative insignificance. Sir Edward Grey has done his utmost, and is still doing his utmost, to preserve joea.ee, but-the outlook is full of gloom. His mediatorial activity is no doubt ' increased by his knowledge of Britain's obligations under the Entente. That the understanding' between Britain, France, and: Russia was recently made more definito lis clearly indicated by a speech dc--livered by the Russian Foreign Minister in May last. M. Sazonoff then declared, that-Russia oontinued to base, her foreign policy on the unsh'akablo alliance with France, as well as on the friendship with England.' He went on to say: ■ The close tonds. of reciprocal friendship between France and Great Britain on tho one hand,'and Great Britain, and Russia on the other, have permitted of' the widening of tho-basis of contact, and tho participation of Great - Britain in theso deliberations, whicHi-has undoubtedly Tendered a real' service to the'cause of peace at- a serious moment. This reason has fletermined 'Russia and France to instruct,; their representatives in London to discuss, in conjunction with the British Secretary for ' Foreign Affairs, a 'series of questions Telntmg- to the final settlement of the recont complications. These words give a good indication of the closeness of the intimacy'existing between Britain, France, • and Russia, and are of special interest at the present moment when the possibility of . the strength of the Entente being 'put to. the test is only too real.