The Evidence in the Case A Discussion of the Moral Responsibility for the War of 1914, as Disclosed by the Diplomatic Records of England, Germany, Russia

In this meticulously researched study, a former U.S. attorney‑general turns diplomatic archives into a courtroom drama, presenting the outbreak of the 1914 conflict as “A Case in the Supreme Court of Civilization.” Drawing on telegrams, memoranda and public statements from England, Germany, Russia, France, Austria, Italy and Belgium, the author lays out a clear, legally styled argument that asks readers to consider the moral weight of each nation’s actions before an imagined tribunal of global conscience.

The narrative proceeds methodically through the pre‑war correspondence, highlighting how diplomatic missteps and aggressive policies converged into catastrophe. By emphasizing a universal standard of public opinion—echoing the ideals of the American Declaration—the work argues that responsibility can be assessed beyond national bias, pointing especially to German decisions as a pivotal cause. For anyone seeking a balanced, evidence‑based examination of the war’s origins, the book offers a compelling blend of legal reasoning and historical documentation.