So Europe poised throughout the first decade of
the century. Clashing colonial interests in Africa
brought several acute crises but the combination of
the "triple entente”—France, czarist Russia and Great
Britain—against the "triple alliance" of Germany,
Austro-Hungary and Italy, kept the balances tilted
on the peace side.
Then the scene swung to the Balkans. Turkey’s
grip on her European lands was loosening and Russia,
“big brother" of the south Slavs, was still feeling the
effects of her 1904-5 defeat by Japan, when, in Octo
ber, 1908, Austro-Hungary annexed Bosnia and Herce
govina. Neighboring Serbia protested and called on
St. Petersburg for help. Berlin warned that Russia
must not interfere. The czar’s forces were not ready
for another war, so Serbia was compelled to acquiesce.
But not the people of the annexed provinces. "Revo
lutionaries" flourished there, particularly in Bosnia,
through the Balkan wars of 1912-13. France persuaded
Russia to stay out of those embroilments and Germany
and Italy kept Austro-Hungary from intervening.
Meanwhile Germany was increasing her army and
building a navy; France, as she has today, had length
ened the service terms of her military conscripts;
England was working out military cooperation with
her dominions and Russia had embarked on a live
year plan for rebuilding her war machine. Austro
Hungary's general staff had drawn up full plan for
a campaign in the Balkans.
Into this powder keg fell the Bosnian match, the
murders on June 28. 1914, at Serajevo of the heir to
the Austrian throne and his wife.
