The Post wrote on the same date:  “Is that a note?  No! it is an ultimatum of the sharpest kind.  Within twenty-four hours Austria demands an answer.  A reply?  No! but an absolute submission, the utter and complete humiliation of Serbia.  On former occasions we have (and with justice) made fun of Austria’s lack of energy.  Now we have a proof of energy which terrifies us.  This ‘note’ represents about the very uttermost which can be said to any government, and such things are only said when the sender of the ‘note’ has absolutely determined upon war.”

The principal organ of Germany’s largest political party, the Social Democrats, contained a still more emphatic protest on July 25th.  A telegram from the Belgrade correspondent of the Vorwaerts runs:  “Since the presentation of Austria’s note, public opinion has become exceedingly serious, although the city is still very calm.  The general view held is that Austria’s ultimatum is unacceptable for a sovereign State.  In Belgrade no one doubts that Russia will stand by Serbia.  Everyone is certain that in consequence of Austria’s excessively sharp tone, Russia will not remain inactive should Austria resort to armed force.  The populace is prepared for war.”

In view of the subsequent attitude of Germany’s Social Democrats, an official proclamation, published in all their seventy-seven daily papers on July 25th, is of supreme importance.  At that date they had apparently no doubt whatever as to the guilty party.  The change of front in the Reichstag on August 4th would seem in the light of this proclamation, as nothing other than a betrayal of conscience.  Further, the split which has arisen in their ranks during the war leads to the supposition that Liebknecht, Kautsky and Bernstein have been troubled by the inward voice.

This is the full text of the proclamation as it appeared in the Vorwaerts: 

“An Appeal!  The Balkan plains are still steaming with the blood of thousands of murdered; the ruins of desolate towns and devastated villages are still smoking after the Balkan War; hungry, workless men, widowed women and orphan children are still wandering through the land, and yet again Austria’s Imperialism unchains the War Fury to bring death and destruction over all Europe.

“Even if we condemn the doings of the Greater-Serbian Nationalists, still the wicked war-provocation of the Austro-Hungarian Government calls forth the most stinging protest.  The demands made by this government are so brutal, that in the history of the world their like has never been presented to an independent State, and they can only be calculated to provoke war.

“Germany’s proletariat, conscious of its mission, raises herewith, in the name of humanity and civilization, the most fervent protest against this criminal action of the war party (Kriegshetzer).  It (the Social Democratic Party) demands imperatively