tions and make the world itself at last free. To such a task we can dedicate our lives and our fortunes, everything that we are and everything that we have, with the pride of those who know that the day has come when America is privileged to spend her blood and her might for the principles that gave her birth and happiness and the peace which she has treasured. God helping her, she can do no other.18
The idealism behind the high motives mentioned by the President was doubtless an important reason for our joining the Allies. Our people considered that the Entente Allies were championing in Europe the principles held dear in America. A defeat for the Allies would, therefore, mean a defeat for democracy and world peace and a victory for autocracy and militarism.
There was also a feeling in the United States that a far-sighted policy of self-defense demanded our participation in the conflict. For it was thought that if Germany should win in this war, her enhanced power and prestige would lead her to attack us at no distant date in the future. With our natural allies weakened and humiliated and ourselves isolated, the German Government, flushed with victory, might soon be tempted to measure swords with us on our side of the Atlantic. The occasion for such a contest could easily arise. Ger18 Dip. Cor., 422-29.
many had ambitions in South America and does not recognize our Monroe Doctrine. Besides, feeling in Germany was already strong against America because of our sympathy for and alleged partiality to the Allies. We now have reliable evidence to support the belief that the German Government was contemplating the future possibility of chastising us. Mr. Gerard speaks of the hostility of public sentiment manifested toward us in influential circles in Germany. He tells of an interview given out by Admiral von Tirpitz (in the name of a "high naval authority") and published in the Frankfurter Zeitung in which the German admiral boasted that Germany would force America to pay an indemnity big enough to cover the cost of the war after the Allies had been defeated and the English fleet captured.19 Mr. Gerard also reports some big talk indulged in by the Emperor on the occasion of an interview held between the Emperor and himself as early as October, 1915. On this occasion the Kaiser showed "great bitterness against the United States and repeatedly said, 'America had better look out after this war; and I shall stand no nonsense from America after the war.' '' 20
Congress was prompt to act on the recommendation of the President and declared on 19 Gerard, 249. 20 Gerard, 252.
April 6, 1917, that a state of war exists between Germany and the United States by act of the German Imperial Government.21 The President had not asked for a declaration of war on the allies of Germany because they had “not made war upon us or challenged us to defend our right and our honor." 22 Germany was, therefore, the only one of the Central powers formally included in our list of enemies at this time, and it was not until December 17, 1917, that a declaration of war was made against Austria-Hungary.23
21 War Cyclopedia, Art., "War."
22 Dip. Cor., 437-8.
23 War Cyclopedia, "War."
Adrianople, treaty of (1829), 25. Afghanistan, clash of Russian and British interests in, 15; agree- ments finally made between Great Britain and Russia as to relations with, 18.
Africa, friction between France
and Great Britain due to con- flicting claims in, 16-17; at- tempted interference of Ger- many with France in, 20-21. Agadir crisis, 22-23; attitude of Belgium at time of, 156 Albania, early history of people of, 24, 33, 35; by treaty of Lon- don (1912) becomes an autono- mous state, 36; disadvantageous effect of creation of Kingdom of, on Serbia, 39-40; offers of Austria-Hungary to Italy re- garding (1914-15), 186, 193, 195.
Albert, King of Belgium, appeals for help to King of England, 135, 150.
Algeciras Congress, diplomatic de- feat of Germany at, 21; effect of Italy's attitude in, on Triple Alliance, 180.
Alsace-Lorraine, effects of loss of, on France, 6.
America, reasons for entrance of, into Great War, 213 ff.; begin- ning of controversy between Germany and, with issuance of war zone declaration (Febru- ary 4, 1914), 213; protest of, against Germany's proposed policy, 214-215; position taken by Germany in reply to pro- test, 215-217; lives of citizens lost in submarine sinkings, 219 n.; Lusitania sinking and subsequent exchange of notes, 220-225; the Arabic sinking, 226-227; diplomatic victory won by, in Arabic incident, 227; controversy over trade in arms and ammunition, 228- 232; discussion concerning armed merchant vessels, 232- 237; diplomatic victory of, in Sussex case, 243; immediate
steps leading to break in rela- tions with Germany, 244-250; publication of Zimmermann note and passage of armed neu- trality bill, 253-254; idealism behind motives of, in joining the Allies, 260; Germany's en- mity to, previous to declaration of war, 260-261; declarations of war by, against Germany and against Austria, 261-262. Anatolian railroad, building of,
under German auspices, 12. Arabic, sinking of the, 226-227. Armed merchantman discussion
between United States and Germany, 232-237.
Armed neutrality bill, passage of, by American Congress, 253-
254. Arms and ammunition, controversy between Germany and America over trade in, 228-232. Assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife, 43. Austria (Austria-Hungary), party to quadruple alliance of 1815, 3; friendly relations between Germany and, cultivated by Bismarck, 7; rivalry of Russia and, in the Balkans, 8: dip- lomatic victory of, over Russia at Congress of Berlin (1878), 8; joins Triple Alliance against Russia, 9; enters on policy of expansion toward Egean, 29; annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina by, 30; agitation among great powers against, 31; support given to, by Ger- many, 31-32; increased hos- tility of Russia to, on account of attitude in Balkan Wars of 1912-14, 36; state of relations between Serbia and, in 1914, 43; general sentiment in, upon assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand, 44, 48-51; ultimatum sent by, to Serbia, in note of July 23, 1914, 52-57; statement issued by, to great powers, 58-61; Germany's re- sponsibility for ultimatum of
to Serbia, 63-67; support given to, by Germany, 67; reception of note by Serbia, 67-68; re- fuses Russia's request that time limit set by ultimatum be ex- tended, 75; moderate reply of Serbia to, in note of July 25, 78-84; dissatisfaction of, with Serbian reply and breaking of diplomatic relations, 84-85; question of desire of, for war with Serbia, 92-94; rejects Sir Edward Grey's mediation pro- posals and proposals made by Russia, 96; declares war on Serbia, but continues negotia- tions with Russia, 98; Ger- many and, share responsibility for Great War, 99-101; efforts of other powers to prevent war between Russia and, 102-103; final offer made to, by Russia (July 30), 110; declares war on Russia, 117; steps leading to declaration of war between France and, 117-119; declara- tion of war against, by Great Britain, 140; breaks off rela- tions with Japan, 165; events leading to declaration of war against by Italy, 181-202; ap- peals to America in regard to latter's trade in army supplies, 228; war declared against, by America (December 17, 1917), 262.
Bagdad Railroad, beginning of controversy over, 12-14; condi-
tion of controversy upon eve of Great War, 14; effect of dispute over, upon relations between Great Britain and France, 17; obtaining of concession for building, by Germany, 30. Balkans, account of peoples in the, 24-25; history of states in the, 25-29; wars between Tur- key and states of, in 1912-14, 32-38; results of wars of 1912- 14, 38-40. Barnardiston, Colonel, conversa- tions between General Ducarme and, 150-152 Belgium, neutrality of, not guar- anteed in German propositions to Great Britain before out- break of war, 124; Sir Ed- ward Grey's statement concern- ing preservation of neutrality of Belgium, 126; replies of France and Germany as to re-
specting Belgian neutrality, 126-127; charged with com- mitting hostile acts against Germany, 127; appeals on August 4, 1914, to Great Britain for diplomatic interven- tion in her behalf, 135; Ger- many's reasons for violating neutrality of, 136; difference between Britain's obligation to preserve neutrality of, and case of Luxemburg, 140; history of events leading to guarantee- ing of perpetual neutrality of, by treaty of 1839, 141-144; arguments of both sides con- cerning Germany's violation of neutrality of, 144-160; effect in America of Germany's treat- ment of, 231. Congress treaty (1878), 8, 28. Bernstorff, Count von, German ambassador at Washington, 225, 226, 228, 248; fear in Germany of detention of, in America, 250.
Bethmann-Hollweg, made chancel- lor, 22; present at Potsdam Conference (July 5, 1914), 65– 66; final interview between British ambassador and, 137- 139; quoted on violation of neutrality of Belgium and Luxemburg, 149; unrestricted submarine warfare opposed by, 244-245; sincerity of, in hopes for preserving America's friendship, 245.
Bismarck, policy of, regarding France, 7; formation of Three Emperors' League by, 7-8; succeeds in policy of isolating France, 10.
Bosnia, annexation of, by Austria- Hungary (1908), 30.
Bridges, Colonel, conversation be- tween General Jungbluth and, 152-153, 155.
Bryan, W. J., American secretary of state, 216, 218, 220; resigna- tion of, 222.
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