Russia's Involvement With the War.

Serbia has long had Slavic ties with Russia, and was prepared to go into war with Austria, who is bound by alliance with Germany. Russia, bound by treaty to Serbia, announced mobilization of its vast army in her defense, a slow process that took around six weeks to complete (1). Germany viewed this mobilization of Russian military as a direct act of war against Austria, and after warning, declared war on August 1st. This came as a surprise to Russia, because in 1873 Germany, Austria, and Russia had created a peace treaty to remain neutral to each other in battle, if one should occur with an out of party country. Russia sees this war as an opportunity to restore social order. Below is a section of the telegram sent from Prince Regent of Serbia to Russian Tsar Nicholas II asking for Russian assistance in the war against Austria.
Belgrade, July 24 1914
Conscious of its international duties, Serbia from the first days of the horrible crime declared that she condemned it, and that she was ready to open an inquiry on her territory if the complicity of certain of her subjects were proved in the investigation begun by the Austro-Hungarian authorities.
However, the demands contained in the Austro-Hungarian note are unnecessarily humiliating for Serbia and incompatible with her dignity as an independent State.
Thus we are called upon in peremptory tones for a declaration of the Government in the "Official journal," and an order from the Sovereign to the army wherein we should repress the spirit of hostility against Austria by reproaching ourselves for criminal weakness in regard to our perfidious actions.
All persons whose participation in the "attentat" shall be proved will be severely punished by us. Certain of these demands cannot be carried out without changes in our legislation, which require time. We have been given too short a limit. We can be attacked after the expiration of the time-limit by the Austro-Hungarian Army which is concentrating on our frontier.
It is impossible for us to defend ourselves, and we supplicate your Majesty to give us your aid as soon as possible. The highly prized good will of your Majesty, which has so often shown itself toward us, makes us hope firmly that this time again our appeal will be heard by his generous Slav heart.
In these difficult moments I voice the sentiments of the Serbian people, who supplicate your Majesty to interest himself in the lot of the Kingdom of Serbia.
ALEXANDER

By Jennifer Harris