sia regarding the settlement of the Servian question, the exercise of the mediatory or moderating influence of the powers seemed the only hope of peace, though a slender one. (R. O. P. no. 50; B. W. P. nos. 93 (3), 74, 78; R. O. P. no. 54.) But it was quickly explained that Austria had not "banged the door," and the "conversations" or pour parlers were renewed. (B. W. P. no. 137; A. R. B. no. 53.)

7. Germany asked to "press the button"

Finding it impossible to bring forward any suggestion acceptable to Germany, on July 28, Sir Edward Grey had telegraphed the British Ambassador at Berlin: "German Government having accepted principle of mediation between Austria and Russia by the four powers, if necessary I am ready to propose that the German Secretary of State should suggest the lines on which this principle should be applied.' I will, however, keep the idea in reserve until we

1 The following extract from a dispatch of July 27, sent by M. Bienvenu-Martin, Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, to the French representatives, shows the feeling of the French Government:

"The powers, particularly Russia, France, and England, have by their urgent advice induced Belgrade to yield; and thus have done their part; it is now for Germany, who alone is in a situation to obtain a speedy hearing at Vienna, to give advice to Austria, who has obtained satisfaction and cannot be permitted, for the sake of a matter of detail easy to adjust, to bring about a general war.

"These are the circumstances in which the proposal made by the London Cabinet has been brought forward: M. Sazonof having said to the British Ambassador that as a consequence of the appeal of Servia to the powers, Russia would agree to stand aside, Sir Edward Grey has formulated the following suggestion to the Cabinets of Paris, Berlin, and Rome: the French, German, and Italian Ambassadors at London would be instructed to seek with Sir Edward Grey a means of resolving the present difficulties, it being understood that during this conversation Russia, Austria, and Servia would abstain from all active military operations. Sir A. Nicolson [of the British Foreign Office] has spoken of this suggestion to the German Ambassador, who showed himself favorable to it; it will be equally well received in Paris, and also, according to all probability, at Rome. Here again it is Germany's turn to speak, and she has an opportunity to show her good-will by other means than words.

"I would ask you to come to an understanding with your English colleague, and to support his proposal with the German Government in whatever form appears to you opportune." (Extract, July 27, F. Y. B. no. 61.)

see how the conversations between Austria and Russia progress." (July 28, B. W. P. no. 68; cf. B. W. P. nos. 43, 46, 60.)

On July 29, the British Ambassador at Rome pointed out the inconsistency between Sir Edward Grey's telegram to Sir Edward Goschen of July 27, in which he relates that 'the German Government accepted mediation in principle' (modified quotation, July 27, B. W. P. no. 46), and Sir Edward Goschen's dispatch of the same date to Sir Edward Grey, to the effect that 'Germany could not accept the suggestion which the Secretary of State considered would amount to a court of arbitration.' (Modified quotation, July 27, B. W. P. no. 43.)

At Rome the Italian Government, he reported, had received information that 'what created the difficulty was, so the Marquis di San Giuliano thought, the "conference," rather than the principle, and the Marquis was going to urge, in a telegram which he was sending to Berlin that night, adherence to the idea of an exchange of views in London. He suggested that the German Secretary of State might propose a formula acceptable to his Government.' (Modified quotation, July 29, B. W. P. no. 80.)

July 29, Sir Edward Grey urged upon Prince Lichnowsky that 'the German Government should suggest any method by which the influence of the four powers could be used together to prevent war between Austria and Russia. France agreed. Italy agreed. The whole idea of mediation or mediating influence was ready to be put into operation by any method that Germany thought possible, if only Germany would "press the button" in the interests of peace.' (Modified quotation, July 29, B. W. P. no. 84; cf. B. W. P. nos. 92, 100; R. O. P. nos. 53, 54.)

July 30, Sir Edward Goschen telegraphed Sir Edward. Grey from Berlin that 'he did not know whether the German Government had made any reply to Sir Edward's proposal asking whether they could not suggest any

method by which the four powers could use their mediating influence between Russia and Austria. He was informed the night before that the German Government had not had time to send an answer yet. The same day, July 30, in reply to an inquiry from the French Ambassador as to whether the Imperial German Government had proposed any course of action, the Secretary of State said that he felt that time would be saved by communicating with Vienna direct, and that he had asked the Austro-Hungarian Government what would satisfy them. No answer had, however, been returned yet.

"The Chancellor had told him, the night before, that he was "pressing the button" as hard as he could, and that he was not sure whether he had not gone so far in urging moderation at Vienna that matters had been precipitated rather than otherwise.' (Modified quotation, July 30, B. W. P. no. 107.)

On July 30, Herr von Bethmann-Hollweg gave the button a good push by instructing the German Ambassador at Vienna 'to impress upon Count Berchtold with great seriousness that Germany would have to refuse to be drawn into a general war resulting from Austria's disregard of Germany's counsel.' (See above, p. 224.)

On the morning of July 31, the last day of European peace, Sir Edward Grey told the German Ambassador, Prince Lichnowsky, that 'if Germany could get any reasonable proposal put forward which made it clear that Germany and Austria were striving to preserve European peace, and that Russia and France would be unreasonable if they rejected it, he would support it at St. Petersburg and Paris, and go the length of saying that if Russia and France would not accept it, the British Government would have nothing more to do with the consequences; otherwise, he told the German Ambassador that if France became involved, they should be drawn in.' (Modified quotation, July 31, B. W. P. no. 111; cf. R. O. P. no. 42.) It is much to

be regretted that Germany was unable to reply to this bid for her coöperation in maintaining the peace by suggesting some feasible plan.

8. The San Giuliano suggestion for mediation upon Servia's unconditional acceptance of the ultimatum

July 28, Sir Edward Grey received a telegram from the British Ambassador at Rome to the effect that 'the Marquis di San Giuliano, as at present informed, saw no possibility of Austria's receding from any point laid down in her note to Servia, but he believed that if Servia would even then accept it, Austria would be satisfied, and that if she had reason to think that such would be the advice of the powers, Austria might defer action. Servia might be induced to accept the note in its entirety on the advice of the four powers invited to the conference, and this would enable her to say that she had yielded to Europe and not to Austria-Hungary alone.'1 (Modified quotation, July 27, B. W. P. no. 57; cf. B. W. P. no. 64; F. Y. B. no. 72.) Even this proposal, worthy of the astute and tactful Italian, does not seem to have found favor with Germany or Austria.

Sir Edward Grey, when showing the German Ambassador at London the telegrams exchanged about the San Giuliano suggestion, remarked that 'he had begun to doubt whether even a complete acceptance of the Austrian demands by Servia would now satisfy Austria, but that there appeared, from what the Marquis di San Giuliano

1 The attitude of the Austrian Government is shown by the following telegram which Baron von Macchio, of the Austrian Foreign Office, received from Count Berchtold: "Russian Chargé d'Affaires telegraphs me that he has been urgently instructed by his Government to ask an extension of time on the ultimatum to Servia. I ask Your Excellency, therefore, to answer him, in my name, that we cannot agree to an extension of the time. Your Excellency will please add that Servia can reach a peaceful solution, even after the breaking off of diplomatic relations, by unreservedly accepting our demands, but that we should be constrained in such case to demand from Servia indemnization for all the expenses and damages incurred by reason of our military measures." (July 25, A. R. B. no. 20.)

had said, to be a method by which, if the powers were allowed to have any say in the matter, they might bring about complete satisfaction for Austria, if only the latter would give them an opportunity. Sir Edward said he could, however, make no proposal, and could only give what the Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs had said to the German Ambassador for information, as long as it was understood that Austria would accept no discussion with the powers over her dispute with Servia. As to mediation between Austria and Russia, Sir Edward said it could not take the form simply of urging Russia to stand aside while Austria had a free hand to go to any length she pleased. That would not be mediation, it would simply be putting pressure upon Russia in the interests of Austria.' (Modified quotation, July 29, B. W. P. no. 90.)

The German Ambassador, according to the dispatch of the British Secretary, did not comment on the San Giuliano proposal, but after expressing his views as to Austria's situation, in conclusion 'said emphatically that some means must be found to preserve the peace of Europe.' (Modified quotation, July 29, B. W. P. no. 90.)

M. Sazonof, when asked if he would raise objections if the Italian suggestion were carried out, replied that he would agree to anything arranged by the four powers, provided it was acceptable to Servia; as he could not be more Servian than Servia. He thought, however, that some supplementary statement or explanations would have to be made in order to tone down the sharpness of the ultimatum.' (Modified quotation, July 29, B. W. P. no. 78.)

1 German critics have impugned the sincerity of Sir Edward Grey's efforts toward peace because he was not more ready, at this stage, to urge mediation. (See above, p. 218, note 2.) Having formally invited thepowers to a conference at London, only to have the proposal refused by Germany and Austria, Sir Edward very properly felt he could not make a new proposal unless there was some chance of its being accepted.