The War Years

Abstract

In the summer of 1914, events were happening that quickly led to a general conflagration in Europe. On 28 June, Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria and his wife were assassinated at Sarajevo. One month later Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. On 1 August, Germany declared war on Russia, France began mobilization, and Italy declared its neutrality. That same day Peano went to Paris to see for himself what the war situation was, taking a young relative with him. He found out soon enough, when Germany declared war on France on 3 August and invaded Belgium. On their return to Italy, Peano became separated from his companion (probably his nephew), who, because Peano had his passport, climbed to the top of a railway carriage in order to cross the border. Peano later congratulated him on having escaped, apparently undisturbed at having caused the problem.