The chart shows how German morale fell and rose under the influence of the military situation, the results of the submarine campaign, the unanimity of purpose evidenced by the different groups in the reichstag, and the economic condition of the country.  So accurate was the information that the “morale line” reached the zero point between Nov. 10 and 15.

The chart indicates clearly that practically every major operation of the German military forces was inaugurated when the morale line showed dangerous slumps.

A big map in the war office locates not only every allied unit but the composition of the opposition forces, their commanders, and, in most cases, their headquarters.

Opposite each German army unit the map shows a list of the “used” and reserve organizations.  On Nov. 11, when the armistice was signed, long lists of divisions which had been entirely used up were noted, but the reserves had disappeared entirely, with the single exception of two fresh German divisions in Belgium.

CHAPTER VI.  CAUSES OF THE WAR

National and Race Prejudices—­The Triple Alliance—­The Triple Entente—­Teuton vs.  Slav—­Influence of Russian Diplomacy—­Russia vs.  Austria—­Control of Balkan Seaports—­England’s Commercial Supremacy Challenged by Germany—­Assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria by a Serb.

Within the space of less than a week from August 1, 1914, five of the six “great powers” of Europe became involved in a war that quickly developed into the greatest and most sanguinary struggle of all time.  The European conflagration, long foreseen by statesmen and diplomats, and dreaded of all alike, had broken out.

Beginning with the thunder of Austrian guns at Belgrade, the reverberations of war were heard in every capital of the Old World.  Austria’s declaration of war against Servia was followed by the alignment of Germany with its Teuton neighbor against the forces of Russia, France and England.  Italy alone, of the six great powers, declined to align itself with its formal allies and made a determined effort at the outset to maintain its neutrality.

Soon the highways of Europe resounded with the hoof-beats and the tramp of marching hosts, with the rattle of arms and the rumble of artillery.  Of such a war, once begun, no man could predict the end.  But the world realized that it was a catastrophe of unparalleled proportions, a failure of civilization in its stronghold, a disaster to humanity.

For more than forty years the great powers of Europe had been at peace with one another.  Though war had threatened now and then, diplomacy had avoided the actual outbreak.  But that the dreaded conflict was inevitable had long been recognized.  For its coming immense armaments had been prepared, until the burdens of taxation laid upon the people had become in themselves a source of danger.  But behind it