The L.C.C. record of the Great War 1914 - 1919
It would be a long task to refer even in outline to all the causes, direct
and indirect, of the Great War and the attempt to do so would raise many
controversial questions. Here it must suffice to state that the France-German
War of 1870 had been succeeded by a period of international jealousy and
suspicion, and that, so far from abating, these feelings of unrest had spread
during the early part of the twentieth century widely throughout Europe. A
serious crisis in 1905, leading up to the Algeciras conference, had been
followed by another in 1908 when Austria, in defiance of the Treaty of Berlin,
annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina, and by a third in 191 1 arising out of the
Agadir incident. Each had threatened to lead to war and, although war had been
averted, it began to be clear that efforts to maintain peace could not continue
to be successful. In most of the chief states there was no inconsiderable number
of people who desired war, some in order to unite to their own country people of
kindred race or language, others for the sake of territorial or political gain,
others in mere self-defence before those plotting against their country became
invincible. So deep were the feelings of distrust that any incident might result
in a crisis for which no peaceful solution could be found. Such an incident was
forthcoming on 28th June, 1914, when the Archduke Francis Ferdinand, heir to the
Austrian Empire, was assassinated with his wife while on a visit to Sarajevo,
the capital of Bosnia. The effects of the outrage were not at once apparent, for
no public action was taken by Austria until 23rd July. Then, however, it
presented to Serbia a peremptory note and demanded a reply by the evening of the
25th. On this note Sir Edward Grey, the Foreign Secretary, remarked in a
despatch to the British Ambassador at Vienna that he " had never before seen one
State address to another independent State a document of so formidable a
character " and that one of the demands " would be hardly consistent with the
maintenance of Serbia's independent sovereignty." ^ Serbia's reply, delivered
within the stipulated time, accepted in principle, though with reservations,
most of the Austrian demands. This, however, was not considered satisfactory,
diplomatic relations were broken off, orders were given for the mobilisation of
the army, and on the 28th war was declared against Serbia. Germany supported
Austria, while Serbia was supported by Russia, thus bringing in France, the
latter's ally. Diplomatic negotiations to avert war or to localise its effects
having proved fruitless, Germany on ist August declared war on Russia and
France, and on the 6th Austria declared war on Russia.
Great Britain of course had no direct interest in the quarrel between Austria
and Serbia, or even in that between Austria and Russia, but, when other issues
were raised and Germany and France were involved, it became vitally affected.
The two main questions were the maintenance of the integrity of France and of
the neutrality of Belgium. Great Britain was under no treaty obligation to
France, but it had been agreed in November, 1912,^ that, if either Government
had grave reason to expect an unprovoked attack, or something threatened the
general peace, it would immediately discuss whether both Governments should act
together to prevent aggression and to preserve peace. The German Chancellor's
suggestion on 29th July that Great Britain should remain neutral on condition
that Germany took no territory from France except in her colonies was
indignantly rejected, and on 2nd iVugust France was informed that, if the German
fleet came into the English Channel or the North Sea to attack the French coasts
or shipping, the British fleet would give all the protection in its power. The
second question, Belgian neutrality and the respect of that neutrality by all
belligerents, was even more important. By the Treaty of London, 1839, Great
Britain, Austria, Prussia, France and Russia had agreed that Belgium should form
an independent and perpetually neutral state, and that it should be bound to
observe such neutrality towards all other states. This treaty had been strictly
adhered to during the France-German War, and accordingly on 31st July, 1914,
when hostilities between France and Germany became imminent, the two countries
were asked whether, so long as no other power violated it, they would respect
the neutrality of Belgium. France gave the necessary undertaking, but no reply
was received from Germany. In fact on 2nd August the latter presented an
ultimatum to Belgium demanding facilities for military operations, and on the
4th German troops actually invaded Belgian' territory. On this date Germany was
again asked to give the assurance already given by France and was informed that,
unless a satisfactory reply was received, Great Britain would take all steps in
its power to uphold the neutrality of Belgium. Germany made no reply and
accordingly from 11 o'clock on the night of 4th/5th August, 1914, Great Britain
was at war with Germany.