Description
Object description
whole: the image is positioned in the centre and upper centre, held within a narrow black area. The title is separate and positioned along the top edge, in yellow, held within a black area. The text is separate and occupies the majority, in black, and in red held within a black border. All set against a white background.
image: a depiction of the flags of the Allied Powers, flying from an ornate red and white striped flagstaff which is topped by a crown and heraldic lion. From top to bottom the flags are those of Serbia, Russia, France, Belgium, Britain, India, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Japan, Montenegro, Italy, Portugal, Romania and the United States.
text: A REMINDER FROM FRANCE
Austria, without consulting her ally, Italy, presents an ultimatum to Serbia without parallel in modern times, and declares war on her.
Germany supports Austria in her warlike policy and presents an ultimatum to Russia.
Germany declares war on Russia, rejects French and British proposals for mediation and declares war on France.
Germany invades Luxembourg and demands passage for her army through Belgium.
Germany refuses all requests to respect Belgian neutrality.
Turkey joins the Central Powers, declares a Holy War and massacres Christians in Armenia.
Germany foments disorder in the United States.
The German army commits outrages in Belgium and France.
Germans bombard open towns from the sea, killing women and children.
Germany attempts to stir up sedition in South Africa.
Germany sinks the Lusitania, murdering 1,123 civlians.
Austrian army is guilty of great atrocities in Serbia.
Germany sinks hospital ships.
Bulgaria joins the Central Powers, Sept. 15th, 1915.
Germany breaks her promise to the United States, to respect the lives of neutrals at sea.
Serbia accepts nine-tenths of the Austrian ultimatum, and asks for arbitration on the remaining points.
Russia, after in vain proposing discussion and mediation, prepares to defend Serbia against the Austrian attack.
France stands by her ally, Russia, and informs England that she will respect Belgian neutrality.
Belgium resists the German army and appeals for help to Great Britain and France.
England, after appealing in vain for Belgian neutrality declares war on Germany. Night of Aug. 4th-5th.
India, its princes and its peoples, takes up the cause and sends an army to Europe.
Canada sends an army to Europe.
Australia sends an army to Europe.
New Zealand sends an army to Europe.
General Botha crushes German intrigues and conquers German South West Africa.
Japan stands by her alliance with England.
Montenegro joins the Entente powers 6th Aug., 1914.
Italy, convinced that that the war was not forced upon Germany, joins the Entente on 23rd May, 1915.
Portugal takes a share in active operations against Germany, March 10th, 1916.
Roumania joins the Entente Powers, 28th Aug., 1916.
If the War had been forced upon Germany, would she have declined the invitation to a conference in July, 1914? Would she continually resort to crime against civilians as a means to victory? The invasion of Belgium and the sinking of the Lusitania are typical.
It is important for the lasting peace of the world that the beginnings of the War should be remembered.
4774-Wt. No. 65492-Sub. No. 180-Est. No.1099-R. C. and S.
Physical description
4774.
Wt. No. 65492.
Sub. No. 180.
Est. No.1099.
Different text versions were also produced (see PST 13560 and PST 13557).
Inscription
1ST PROOF 18 MAY. 1917