The reconstruction of South-Eastern Europe

VI

SERBIA IN THE WORLD-WAR

I.—First and Second Austrian Invasions

ALREADY twice within the last three years Austria-Hungary had been on the verge of war with Serbia; and her political circles in Vienna and Budapest were regretting that they had not carried out their warlike plans, as they could not be sure of a new opportunity which would give them the same chances of success as the annexation of Bosnia and Hercegovina or the Albanian crisis. The Serbian Government was well aware that Austria-Hungary was resolved and prepared to attack Serbia, and that she was only awaiting the first fresh opportunity as a pretext to open hostilities. Consequently the Serbian policy in regard to Austria-Hungary was most cautious and conciliatory, avoiding even a shade of provocation or discourtesy. The murder of the Archduke Ferdinand was received, therefore, with grave foreboding and deep regrets. But the general public remained to the last moment confident and unconscious of the gravity of the situation. The order for the mobilisation of the Serbian Army, issued on July 25th, came

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