(The scene of the crime)
The Philippines became of a place of constant patrolling by the great powers, with Britain, France and Germany all sending their navies in SE Asia to the troubles island. Aguinaldo's forces failed to control the situation in Mindanao, with the Moro forces controlling majority of the Southern island (even places with Filipino majority). A British, French and German vessel all parked near the port of Davao city, simultaneously unloading weapons and gunpowder to weapons dealers, who would sell to both sides. AS the gunpowder was being unloaded, an accidental shot from the German ship hit the French ship in the center. Alarmed, the French crew fired back at both sides, unaware of who hit it, thanks to the fog. The British and German ships were both shot at, all firing back, with British pellets hitting the German vessel as well. At this point, all three nations were at bitter odds with each other. The British had stitched an alliance with the Italians and Ottomans, the French with the Russians, and the Germans with Austria-Hungary. With no nation willing to apologize for their seamen's conduct, all three empires declared war upon each other, bringing their alliances with them. The world had erupted into a three way world war.
"Most historians find the utter ridiculousness of the First World War's start as one of a great tragedy. People ask, "What if the French ship was calmer?". "What if there was no fog?". "What if the gunpowder never exploded?". I ask, "how could the three most powerful nations be so arrogant as not to work out a relatively simple issue? How could mankind fall to such depths?" - John Kenneth Galbraith, American economist.
"What has humanity done to itself!" - President Bryan, March 2, 1901.