[Illustration:  Dr. J.E.  Moorland, senior secretary of colored men’s Dept., International Y.M.C.A.  The man largely responsible for success of his race in “Y” Work.]

[Illustration:  A typical group of “Y” Workers, secretary Snyder and staff.  Y.M.C.A.  No.7, Camp grant, Illinois.]

[Illustration:  President Woodrow Wilson (at head of table) and his war Cabinet.  Left—­W.G.  MCADOO secretary of the treasury; Thomas W. Gregory, ATTY.  GENL.; Josephus Daniels, sec.  Of navy; D.F.  Houston, sec.  Of agriculture; William B. Wilson, sec.  Of labor.  Right—­Robert Lansing, sec.  Of state; Newton D. Baker, sec.  Of war; A.S.  Burleson, postmaster-general; Franklin K. Lane, sec.  Of interior; William C. Redfield, sec.  Of commerce.]

With a war likely to involve the greater part of Europe hanging on the issue, it was a time for cool judgment, sober statesmanship and careful action on all sides.  Months should have been devoted to an investigation.

But Germany and Austria did not want a sober investigation.  They were afraid that while it was proceeding the pretext for war might vanish.  As surmised above, they also may have feared that the responsibility for the act would be placed in quarters that would be embarrassing to them.

On July 23, 1914, just twenty-five days after the murder, Austria delivered her demands upon Serbia and placed a time limit of forty-eight hours for their acceptance.  With the fate of a nation and the probable embroiling of all Europe hanging on the outcome, forty-eight hours was a time too brief for proper consideration.  Serbia could hardly summon her statesmen in that time.  Nevertheless the little country, realizing the awful peril that impended, and that she alone would not be the sufferer, bravely put aside all selfish considerations and practically all considerations of national pride and honor.

The records show that every demand which Austria made on Serbia was granted except one, which was only conditionally refused.  Although this demand involved the very sovereignty of Serbia—­her existence as a nation—­the government offered to submit the matter to mediation or arbitration.  But Austria, cats-pawing for Germany, did not want her demands accepted.  The one clause was inserted purposely, because they knew it could not be accepted.  With Serbia meeting the situation honestly and going over ninety percent of the way towards an amicable adjustment, the diplomacy that could not obtain peace out of such a situation, must have been imbecile or corrupt to the last degree.