Part 2

+-------+-------+--------+-------+---------+-------+ | Berlin| Paris | London | Vienna| St. | Bel- | | | | | | Peters- | grade | | | | | | burg | | -----------------+-------+-------+--------+-------+---------+-------+ BERLIN | ... | 475 | 510 | 275 | 750 | 560 | PARIS | 475 | ... | 175 | 560 | 1,175 | 790 | LONDON | 510 | 175 | ... | 675 | 1,080 | 920 | VIENNA | 275 | 560 | 675 | ... | 860 | 275 | ST. PETERSBURG | 750 | 1,175 | 1,080 | 860 | ... | 980 | BELGRADE | 560 | 790 | 920 | 275 | 980 | ... | ROME | 650 | 600 | 780 | 410 | 1,260 | 380 | MADRID | 1,000 | 560 | 680 | 970 | 1,680 | 1,100 | MOSCOW | 875 | 1,360 | 1,360 | 900 | 350 | 980 | COPENHAGEN | 200 | 550 | 530 | 475 | 675 | 725 | -----------------+-------+-------+--------+-------+---------+-------+

+-------+--------+-------+-------- | Rome | Madrid | Mos- | Copen- | | | cow | hagen -----------------+-------+-------+--------+--------- BERLIN | 650 | 1,000 | 875 | 200 PARIS | 600 | 560 | 1,360 | 550 LONDON | 780 | 680 | 1,360 | 530 VIENNA | 410 | 970 | 900 | 475 ST. PETERSBURG | 1,260 | 1,680 | 350 | 675 BELGRADE | 380 | 1,100 | 980 | 725 ROME | ... | 740 | 1,290 | 830 MADRID | 740 | ... | 1,850 | 1,020 MOSCOW | 1,290 | 1,850 | ... | 850 COPENHAGEN | 830 | 1,020 | 850 | ... -----------------+-------+-------+--------+---------

11 a. m. at Chicago is 6 a. m. at London.

THE NATIONS AT WAR

SERVIA

Servia is an independent kingdom. The capital is Belgrade. For centuries Servia was a province of the Turkish Empire, constantly in revolt and passionately striving to become independent. By the Treaty of Berlin in 1878 Servian independence was secured. With the triumph of the Balkan Allies--Servia, Montenegro, Bulgaria and Greece--over Turkey in 1913, much valuable territory was added to all the Balkan nations. The great ambition of Servia to secure territory on the sea was thwarted, however, by Austria-Hungary; and the ancient Servian hatred for Austria, roused to action, brought about the incident immediately leading to the great European War.

This was the assassination of the Austrian crown prince, in June, by a Servian conspirator. Austria claimed that the Servian government was a party to the murder, and sent an ultimatum making peremptory demands that the murderers be punished. The Servian government, denying any connection with the assassins, none the less agreed to all the Austrian demands save one. They refused to permit Austrian officials to try the conspiracy cases. Austria declared war.

AUSTRIA-HUNGARY

A dual monarchy, inhabited by several nationalities and comprising two semi-independent countries, each with its own government but also with a common parliament, army and emperor, Francis Joseph. He belongs to the house of Hapsburg, which has ruled Austria for six hundred years, and himself has held the throne at Vienna since 1848.

Austria possesses important ports on the Adriatic, and if she had territory in the Balkan peninsula might gain access to the Mediterranean and prevent Russia from doing the same. She once tried to reach the sea through Italy, but failed. The growth of the Slavic states in the Balkans is directly contrary to Austrian interests and ambitions. A power occupying the Balkan peninsula might easily control the Suez Canal, connecting Europe with the Orient.

Agriculture is the principal pursuit, and Austria is able to supply her own food. In the north, wheat and barley grow, and corn in the south. The mineral wealth is great--coal and salt abound. Cotton, woolen, linen and silk goods are manufactured; also metals, glass, leather and musical instruments. Commerce is mainly with Germany and Turkey.

GERMANY

Twenty-five states constitute the German Empire, formed by the first imperial chancellor, Bismarck, in 1871. Its capital is Berlin. The king of Prussia is emperor (William II, since 1888). He may declare war and conclude peace, contract alliances and make treaties.

The German people are intelligent and industrious. Since the founding of the empire their industrial and commercial development has been wonderful. Less than half the population is now engaged in agriculture, but Germany still produces the larger part of her food supply. Almost one-third as many cattle are raised as in the United States, and Germany leads the world in sugar production.

Colonial expansion, commerce, and the need of food imports has built up a great German merchant marine and navy. If Austria were part of the Empire, with a path to the Mediterranean, Germany would have the harbors and seaways needed to increase her maritime power and would also possess the shortest trade route to the Orient. Bismarck wanted to secure Germany from attack, so that she could develop her industries in peace, and with this end in view made alliances with Austria and Italy, at the same time encouraging naval and military growth.

RUSSIA

One of the most powerful countries, including all northern Asia as well as eastern Europe. It is an absolute monarchy, ruled by the Czar Nicholas II at Petrograd (St. Petersburg). He came to the throne in 1894.

The population is mostly Slavic, and the racial sympathy is therefore with the Balkan peoples. Russia, like Austria and Germany, would like a port on the Mediterranean, as she now has access to the Atlantic only through the Baltic Sea and the Dardanelles (between the Black Sea and the Ægean).

Sixty years ago Russia attacked Turkey, menacing Great Britain's route to her Oriental possessions. These two powers combined with France and repulsed Russia in the Crimean War. Since the time of Peter the Great the Russians have had their eyes on Constantinople, and as long as they cannot have it will try to prevent Germany or Austria from getting it.

Seven-eighths of the peasants are farmers, and two-thirds of the land is sown to cereals.

FRANCE

A republic. Paris is the capital, and the president (since 1913) is Raymond Poincare. It is more than three-fourths the size of Texas, and has about two-fifths the population of the United States.

Most of the people live by agriculture, which is carried to a high standard. Wheat, oats, barley and corn are grown, also root-crops, fruits, tobacco, grapes and silk. There are rich mines of coal, iron and lead. In 1912 France ranked fourth in imports and exports. In manufactures of silk the French predominate, and they make fine muslins, porcelains, glass, jewelry and clocks.

GREAT BRITAIN

The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy, comprising England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. London is the capital, and George V, since 1910, has been King of Great Britain and Emperor of India. The coast line measures about twenty-eight hundred miles, and the English navy is equal to any other two. "The sun never sets on her colonial possessions," and her world-trade is the largest of any nation.

Manufacturing is the leading industry. Most of the large cities are near the coal-fields in the north central part. London, Liverpool and Edinburgh are the principal ports.

England has no fear of losing India, but does not look with favor on Russia's Balkan ambitions. At the same time she is opposed to the spread of a great German empire from Holland to the Ægean Sea, which would upset the English doctrine of small independent states and the "balance of power" in Europe.

BELGIUM

A democratic kingdom ruled by Albert, since 1909 (capital Brussels). Its length is 165 miles and width 120; the population about 650 to the square mile, composed of Flemish and Walloons--the former of French and the latter of German extraction.

Belgium is low and flat in the north; hilly and timbered in the south. The country is well watered and networked with canals. Rich in minerals, it is a prominent manufacturing country. Linens, laces, cottons and woolens, carpets, machines and cutlery are exported, with coal, iron and farm products. The imports are coffee, sugar, petroleum, hides and raw materials. Agriculture is carried to great perfection, but the country is not self-supporting.

Brussels is a great manufacturing center, and Antwerp the principal seaport.

ITALY

The king of Italy is Victor Emmanuel III, whose rule began in 1900. The products are fruits, rice, wheat, silk, olives, marble, etc. Naples is the largest city, and has varied manufactures.

Previous to 1859 Italy was divided into separate states. In 1870 Victor Emmanuel, king of Sardinia, united Italy and made Rome the national capital. Austria tried to thwart this movement. England and France were friendly to Italy at that time, and Germany was neutral.

ALLIANCES

The Triple Alliance was formed by Bismarck, after the Franco-Prussian War. Its object was to strengthen Germany and isolate France. A dual league was made in 1879 between Austria and Germany, which Italy joined in 1880. By this alliance the nations intended to aid each other in defense. Bismarck wanted Russia in the league, but trouble in the Balkans broke off this project.

Soon after France formed a league with Russia. Bismarck fell from power in 1890, but the Triple Alliance was still stronger than its rival, until France brought England into the Triple Entente, agreeing to give England a free hand in Egypt in return for the same in Morocco.

STRATEGY

The German attack on France is weakened by the fact that Italy did not act with the other members of the Triple Alliance, as a diverting attack from the south would divide the French defense. From the map it is easy to see why Germany advanced through Belgium, in spite of the fact that Germany, in 1878, had been one of the powers to guarantee Belgium's neutrality, because the mountains bordering France from the Alps to Verdun were strongly fortified, while the approach from Belgium was not.

It is also clear that Russia was compelled to establish her position along the Carpathian Mountains before advancing on Berlin--so that a northward movement from Austria-Hungary might not cut her line of communication.

The Effect of the War on Osborne Art Calendars for 1916

You probably know that the outbreak of war immediately resulted in a scarcity of dye stuffs. In the calendar business this has affected inks for color printing, paints for water colors, coloring matter for ribbon, paper and cord. The rag used in high grade paper was also affected, and to some extent even the clay for enameled stock--part of this material coming from the war area.

The Osborne Company acted promptly in the crisis. Taking advantage of the large capital fortunately at our command, we purchased outright practically an entire year's supply of materials, at prices which cannot be duplicated today for materials of equal grade.

As a result the new line of Osborne Art Calendars for 1916 will be sold to our customers at no advance in price, and there will be no deterioration in quality through the substitution of inferior or untested materials.

On the contrary, the new line will offer you unexpected value for every dollar of your calendar appropriation.

It is absolutely, in all respects, the superlative line--the masterpiece--of the 25 years of progress since this Company originated the art calendar business.

Do not buy in haste--before you see Osborne Art Calendars for 1916. Wait--the reward will be better and more attractive advertising, a subject yours exclusively for your town (no jobber's calendar gives you this important service) and the greatest value any calendar house does or can offer you for your money.

The Osborne man will surely call. Wait for him in your own interest.

EDMUND B. OSBORNE, President.

THE OSBORNE COMPANY NEW YORK CHICAGO LONDON GENERAL OFFICES AND WORKS, NEWARK, NEW JERSEY

LARGEST CALENDAR SALES IN THE WORLD

Transcriber Notes:

Passages in italics were indicated by _underscores_.

Small caps were replaced with ALL CAPS.

The individual illustrations were originally to the left or right of the text associated with that illustration. Those illustrations have been moved to be after the associated text.

Decorative illustrations have been removed.

The tables have been reformatted to fit the formatting of a text file.

The illustration "THE BATTLEGROUND OF THE NATIONS" has been moved before the section "THE NATIONS AT WAR".