(By David Lloyd George—No. 20—Copyright.)

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 24, 28 July 1933, Page 7

(By David Lloyd George—No. 20—Copyright.)

How was it that the world was so I cannot recall any discussion on the unexpectedly plunged into this terrible subject in the Cabinet until the Friday conflict? Who was responsible? evening before the final Declaration of Not even the astutest and most far- War by Germany seeing statesman foresaw, even in the early summer of 1914, that the autumn ■would' find the nations of the world interlocked in the most terrible conflict that had ever been witnessed in the history of mankind, and if' you came to the ordinary men and women who were engaged in their daily avocations, in all countries, there was not one of them who suspected the mi miuenco of such a catastrophe

The nations slithered over the brink into the boiling cauldron of war withofut any trace of apprehension or dismay.

When I first heard the news of the assassination of tho Grand Duke Ferdinand, I felt that it was a grave matter, and that it might. provoke serious consequences which only the firmest and most skilful handling could prevent from developing into an emergency that would involve nations. But my fears were soon assuaged by the complete calm with which the rulers and diplomats of the world seemed to regard tho event.

After leading most of the literature explaining why the'nations went to war, and who was responsible, tho impression left on my mind is one of litter chaos, confusion, feebleness, and futility.

Among the rulers and statesmen who alone could give tho final word which caused great armies to spring from the ground and march to and across frontiers, one can see now clearly that not one of them wanted war; certainly not on this scale.

The possible exception is the foolish Berchtold, the Austrian Premier, upon whom must be fixed the chief responsibility for most of what happened. As to the rest, they all shrank from the prospect.

Least of all could' it be said.that tho aged Fran? Joseph wanted war. The last thing the vainglorious Kaiser wanted was- a European war. The feeble and simple-minded but sincere Tsar of the Russias certainly did not desire war.