The Daily News. THURSDAY, JULY 30, 1914. WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 59, 30 July 1914, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, JULY 30, 1914. WAR.

Austria is either a knave or a fool. A few years ago she almost started u European conflagration by seizing the states of Bosnia and Herzegovina in defiance of the Berlin Treaty, and almost precipitated a European war. Now sht pounces upon little Servia over a matt jr susceptible of diplomatic adjustment, quite regardless of the very serious consequences that almost inevitably must

ensue. Britain's attempt to bring about a conference of the Powers interested has been unavailing, Germany evidently being the stumbling block. Why Germany should be a party to a breach of the peace of the world is not apparent. Evidently there is more in the situation than the eye is permitted to see. Servia, has intimated her willingness to make, the necessary amends for the inexcusab'.? conduct of those connected with the murder of the Austrian Heir-Apparent, only she is, quite property, averse to national humiliation, a.i observance oi Austria's peremptory terms would involve. Austria has already disclaimed any intention of seizing Servian tcrrtory, but anyone conversant with her past, and, indeed, with the professions and deeds of any other warring nation, knows how much value to place on such statements. Austria, we may be sure, will endeavor to exact full compensation for the huge expense entailed

in going to war and the inevitable sacrifice of life that will ensue, and as Servia was sucked financially dry by tl>« recent wars in which she was engaged, it is hard to see where the compensation is to come from if not from territory. Austria has some ulterior motive in rushing headlong into war, disregarding pacific overtures, and threatening the peace of the world. No doubt we will soon learn its nature, If viic trouble can be confined to Austria arid Servia, well and good. The smaller nation will be beaten by mere force of numbers. Servia will share the same fate as a baby would in conflict with a giant. Austria has a shocking military past. Since the days of Napoleon she has never been able to hold her own against the military forces of other nations. Perhaps she sees a chance now of rehabilitating her reputation! But Austria will very likely lave to deal not with Servia only, but with her relations, the Russians. In such an Austria may come out second best. Sh.\ of course, would have the assistance of Germany, and probably of Italy, but then France would have to be reckoned with, with Britain in the background, if not an active participant. Hence we have all the elements of an upheaval comparable only with Armageddon. It is an anxious and very critical time. We can but hope that the conflict will te localised, that it will be short, and that the European Concert will not permit the Austrian bully to throttle its pigmy neighbor. Also, that whatever happens, Britain will be able to steer clear of the trouble.