A Swiss postcard of 'The European War' in 1914. The Central Powers of Germany and Austria-Hungary face enemies to the east, west, and south. Germany is fighting the war it tried to avoid, battling Russia to the east and France to the west. Germany had also hoped to avoid fighting England which came to the aid of neutral (and prostrate) Belgium, and straddles the Channel. Austria-Hungary also fights on two fronts, against Russia to the east and Serbia and Montenegro to the south. Italy, the third member of the Triple Alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary, declared neutrality, and looks on. Other neutral nations include Spain, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Romania, Bulgaria, and Albania. Japan enters from the east to battle Germany. The German Fleet stays close to port in the North and Baltic Seas while a German Zeppelin targets England. The Austro-Hungarian Fleet keeps watch in the Adriatic. Turkey is not represented, and entered the war at the end of October, 1914; Italy in late May, 1915.

Der Europäische Krieg

The European War

Reverse:

Kriegskarte No. 61. Verlag K. Essig, Basel

Kunstanstalt (Art Institute) Frobenius A.G. Basel

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Saturday, July 25, 1914

"Serbian Government consent to publication of declaration in Official Gazette. The ten points are accepted with reserves. Serbian Government declare themselves ready to agree to mixed commission of enquiry, provided that appointment of such commission can be proved to be in accordance with international usage. They consent to dismiss and prosecute those officers whose guilt can be clearly proved, and they have already arrested officer mentioned in Austrian note. They agree to suppress Narodna Odbrana.

Opinion of Serbian Government is that, unless Austrian Government desire war at any cost, they will accept full satisfaction offered in Serbian reply."

Quotation Context

Excerpt from telegram from British Chargé d'Affaires Crackanthorpe in Belgrade, Serbia to British Foreign Secretary Edward Grey on July 25, 1914, sent at 12:30 PM, five and a half hours before the deadline for the Serbian reply to Austria Hungary's ultimatum of July 23. The Serbian Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs provided Crackanthorpe with a brief summary of the reply, which was still being drafted.

Foreign Ministers and Ambassadors in London, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, St. Petersburg, Rome, and Belgrade are attempting to rush to war or avert it. The Austro-Hungarians say they cannot extend the ultimatum, and have put troops on the border with Serbia. The Germans say that they had no advance knowledge of the contents of the Austrian note, and that the issue is between Austria-Hungary and Serbia. They will not intervene. Russia says that if Austria-Hungary invades Serbia, it will defend Serbia. Russia is beginning preparatory steps for mobilizing against Austria-Hungary. France has said it will stand with Russia. France and Russia have asked for a commitment from Britain, the third leg of the Triple Entente. Britain will not intervene in a dispute between Austria and Serbia, but insists one between Austria and Russia is a threat to world peace. Germany repeats it is a matter between Austria-Hungary and Serbia, and no, it did not know of the contents of the ultimatum before it was delivered. The Austro-Hungarian Ambassador to Berlin reports to his Foreign Minister Berchtold that the general belief in Berlin is that Austria-Hungary should declare war and begin operations immediately after.

Source

July, 1914; the Outbreak of the First World War; Selected Documents by Imanuel Geiss (Editor), page 210, copyright © 1967 Imanuel Geiss, publisher: Charles Scribner's Sons, publication date: 1967

Tags

Europe, 1914-07-25