New York Times
Summer 1914
Austria, Angered Over Assassination, Declares War On and Quickly Crushes Serbia
The Austro-Hungarian state's quick bringing of revenge upon the Serbian state of King Alexander I was an absolute massacre. The Serbs, propped up only by the government of Prime Minister Lloyd George in Britain, felt the wrath of none less than the entire offensive force of Austria-Hungary, totaling a staggering 15 infantry regiments. The Serbs, unprepared for war and poor, could only face this giant onslaught with 4 infantry regiments and the major fortress and Belgrade.
Austria's magnificent performance, gaining her Generals award and appearantly restoring her status as a great power in Europe, caused minimal casualties on there forces. A great deal of merit has been granted to the 103rd, 121st and 115th Austro-Hungarian Howitzer divisions, all of which were German-speaking Austrians.
"The artillery barrage seemed to completely demoralize the opposition," General Conrad von Hotzendorf said. Hotzendorf, the architecht of the Serbian invasion and the head of the Austro-Hungarian armed forces called it a "Beautiful success," giving "no less than the highest honors to each and ever soldier on the front line." The attack was commenced and executed so quickly that the Serbian forces didn't even have the option to retreat before the whole of their force was destroyed.
This aggressive move, brought upon without any German input (Kaiser Wilhelm II has been yachting for holiday in the Baltic Sea), is sure to have serious reprecussions following a great speech by Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, who has pledged unconditional support to Serbia.
For now there are military parades and celebrations in Vienna, with Kaiser Franz Josef I and his advisor Berchtold leading them, but this bubbly mood seems to be inappropriate to many of Americans who feel the Austrians cannot realize their plight. For a general war yet looms on the horizon in Europe, and it has only to begin.
Triple Alliance In Tatters After Rumania, Italy Defy Austro-Hungarians and Germans Support
As the diplomatic treaty was ripped to shreds in Rome, Bucharest followed the Italian lead by claiming that it was officially dead, signified by Ion Bratinau's speech proclaiming Rumanian neutrality. Despite both states being fully mobilized and prepared for war, neither was interested in aiding the Austro-Hungarians in their quest to destroy pan-slavism and nationalism in one fell swoop.
King Vittorio Emmanuelle III, long known for his anti-German sentiments after the war of 1870 with Austria, declared that "After all it was Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife that were killed in this incident which gives Austria every right to act like they do." Despite their condolences to the Habsburg family, very few Italians feel the desire to fight with Austria.
"They hold Italian lands in Trentino and subject the innocents in the cities of Trieste and Fiume to their despotic rule," said parliament member Bruno Capercitenni. "Istria and South Tyrol must be Italian before any such measures of war alongside the dastardly Austrians can be taken." Clearly, Italian opinion is against the Central Powers, so deemed after the withdrawl of Italy and Rumania.
The two major powers, strapped of allies, may find it hard to fight well against the strongly-united Triple Entente. French President Raymond Poincaret declared that he, Prime Minister Lloyd George, and Tsar Nicholas II would be the peace-keepers; but, it seems, this will only lead to more escalation.
With the involvement of France this war promises not to stay focused in the East and the Balkans as predicted, but to spread completely across the continent, far into the French heartland and the hearts of Frenchmen.
German Gov't Fails To Act As Continent Marches For War
The Imperial German State, so anxious as she was to aid her Austrian ally now finds itself as the only one without her sword drawn.
The German Kaiser, appearantly on a long holiday in the Baltic, has been out of touch with the high military staff which has lead to much bickering among the high command between such figures as Von Kluck, Ludendorff and von Hindenburg. As the community drifts towards war, can Germany dock and find stable ground to fight on?
Note: I will send out income and combat resolution once we have a German player. Until then, just sit tight 
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