That's very interesting. The Society's position, by my recollection, has always been that prior to 1914, the world as a whole was in a sort of innocent Golden Age free from worry about the future, and that the war suddenly broke from out of nowhere and took everyone by surprise.
This booklet, written contemporaneously with those events, paints an entirely different picture:
"In July, 1914, the countries of Europe were in an extremely nervous condition. Internal labor and governmental questions were threatening the peace and tranquility of Great Britain; Socialism was menacing Germany, while revolution was fomenting in Russia. But aside from these home troubles another and greater storm was threatening and which was destined to break shortly thereafter."
"More than a quarter of a century prior thereto the Imperial Government of Germany began to build a great military and naval power. Other nations assuming that armament is necessary in self defense followed the example of Germany. Year after year new instruments of destruction were devised. Year after year the strong Kingdoms of Europe increased both in armament and trained soldiers. The thoughtful and observing people foresaw that a great international war was not only threatened, but was almost a certainty. The public press for several years had been predicting a great conflict. In the spring time it was announced that the war would come in all probability before autumn. In the autumn it was announced through the public press that surely the war could not be held off until spring."
What? All this was years before 1914? I thought Satan coming down to Earth is what suddenly awoke a whole new savagery in man! Turns out the fuse had been lit for decades!
Fortunately, Da Judge eventually learned the fine art of revising history.