TREMBLING IN THE BALANCE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2216, 31 July 1914, Page 6

TREMBLING IN THE BALANCE.

The war cloud still hangs darkly over Europe. Austria and Servia •are actually at war, but at time of writing no third nation had entered into the fray. Russia still hesitates before taking the fateful plunge,, and as long as she remains neutral no other Power is likely, to intervene. It is quite certain that both Britain and Franco are anxious to keep out of the struggle if they honourably can, and it is probable that Germany would like to ■prevent the war from spreading. Indeed, it is stated that the Germans are not too pleasod at being dragged at the wheels of the Austrian war chariot. In theso circumstances, strong pressure will no doubt be brought \ipon Austria, and Russia ( to devise,"if possible,, some arrangement which, would justify Russia in holding back her armies, at least for the present. Mit. Asquith has assured the Houso of Commons .that the British Government is doing its best to oircumscribe the area of conflict, but he admits that the situation is still extremely grave. Russia is not likely to look quietly on at any attempt of Austria to make further seizures of Balkan territory, and it i? difficult to see how she can remain indifferent to the crushing of her fellow Slays in Servia; Some Authorities tell us that the Tsar's troops will cross the frontier as soon as the Austrian army enters Sorvia. Others dcclare that if Austria re-* frains from territorial expansion Russia might be persuaded not to interfere._ Racial affinity, as well as tho question of the-balance of power, is an important factor in the situation, Russia's prestige might be seriously impaired if she did not meet Austria's _ attack on Slavism by armed resistance, and yet she is faced with tho _ tremendous responsibility of precipitating a European war if she strikes a blow. Itis true that •Austria must .have known that she was throwing down a challenge to Russia when she opened the first act in this great international drama, and tho uncompromisingly drastic terms of her ultimatum to Sorvia almost force one. to believe that the alleged Servian intrigues against the Dual Monarchy were the excuse for, leather than the cause of, the war. Howover that may be, it now lies with the Tsar's Government to . decide ''whether and Servia shall be left to fight it out between themselves, or whether Europe is to be embroiled in tho greatest struggle since the armies of Napoleon swept over the Continent. According to latest information at time of writing, all eyes are still turned on Russia, and the fate of Europe is trembling in the balance. The Powers are actively exchanging views; the nations are hastily preparing for emergencies, All hope of circumscribing the war has not teen abandoned; but the whole outlook may bo completely changed in a day—or oven in an hour. Even since the above article was in typo ah ominous change for the worse has taken place in tho situation. • It now seems .that nothing but a miracle can prevent the war from spreading 'as Russia has resolved to intervene unless Austria draws back. But Austrian troops' are already bombarding tho Servian capital, and steps havo been taken which appear to oe irrevocable. The latest news from St. Petersburg indicates that Russia has resolved riot to swervo from her determination to support Servia. Indeed, she is now mobilising her great army. The next move will probably come from Germany. Then France may have to draw the sword, and finally' it may bocome Britain's turn to show her hand.