she declared that she was ready for fresh
sacrifices. Being reminded of what it would mean to have war again she
said: "What matters the leaves and twigs that fall, provided the tree
remains standing."

There has been a very bitter feeling in Servia against the Austrians
since 1908. In that year Austria had trampled under foot her sacred
treaties and by brute force annexed Bosnia and Herzegovnia, Servia's
neighbors, and had threatened the very existence of Servia herself. In
the streets of Belgrade, their capital city, on that occasion there was
a vast demonstration held almost in silence and every Servian pledged to
do or die at his country's call. They well knew that a conflict was
coming. In that war they had done a noble part but when it came to the
settlement Austria practically refused to allow Servia an Adriatic port
and other advantages she had justly earned.

From that day until the world war broke out, Austria backed and assisted
by German secret agents, tried to stir up Albania and Bulgaria against
Servia. Turkey too was only waiting for a chance to plunder this
country. But worst of all and greatest of all, Servia had the audacity
to block the Kaiser's Berlin to Bagdad railway scheme which was to go
through Belgrade.

Now the time had arrived when something must be done to provoke a war
with Servia and annihilate her. The self-appointed world ruler of
Germany had decreed it. As he was dictating the policy of Austria she
must find some excuse to do the job. Then came the fateful day, July 29,
1914. On that day the Crown Prince of Austria and his wife were
assassinated at Sarajevo by a Servian youth.

Not a thing was done openly for twenty-four days. At once on the
assassination of the Austrian Grown Prince, the Kaiser called in his war
lords and financiers and other great men of his coterie. He asked if all
were ready for war. The army and navy men said they were ready
instantly. The financiers said they could be ready in two weeks. They
were told to get ready. While this was being done the Kaiser with the
Austrian war lords worked out a plan by which the act of this Servian
youth could be laid upon the nation and be made an excuse for war. So on
the twenty-fourth day after the assassination came the ultimatum from
Austria. It came as a thunderclap out of a clear sky.

The little country was only allowed forty-eight hours to concede the
unheardof demands. Diplomats tried to get Austria to extend the time