ator to the Austro-Serbian conflict. On the following day Russia's declaration was published in almost the entire German Press, and from that moment the same Pre

of an unwarrantable offensive. Undoubtedly the Bismarckian tactics of publishing inspired articles in all parts of Germany were

for an answer should be extended, only increased popular irritation in the Germanic Empires. This irritation

roughout Germany. The view that Russia had no right to interest herself on behalf of Serbia (passing over Russia's right to preserve the newly-established balance of po

a claim. During the tariff conflict between Germany and Canada some years ago, a wave

erers from just punishment, and had neither rights nor interests at stake in the quarrel. This conspiracy succeeded, but the whole German nation must still be held responsible for the outbreak of war, because, as has been shown in the preceding chapter, the

ke instincts of a military people were calling for action, and a diseased conception of national honour was asking why Berlin did not act against the Ru

is the account of the Social Democratic demonstrations in Ber

Now she was faced with the alternative of withdrawing from her declared attitude (July 24th) or taking measures of a military character. In order not to sacrifice her position as a European power and her special position as the leader of the Slavonic peoples, Russia chose the latter course, the only honourable one open to her. German papers and public speakers retorted that Russia is the patron and protector of a

, and more than once Russia has had to beat a retreat before Germany's threats." Dr. Paul Lensch, member of the

umbed now to the general depression. The people believe that they have been betrayed and sold; rumours of assassination pass from mouth to mouth. The ministerial council has been characterized by violent recriminations, ending in blows. Others asserted that the Cr

peace and war. Shortly after three o'clock it seems to be settled that Austria's demands will be fulfilled. It is true the mobilization decree has been poste

rowd marches to the Italian Embassy, but are received with long and astonished faces. No! there is nothing to hope for from Italy. Next they go to the French Embassy; now there are about two thousand of us. Another disappointment! A young diplomat rece

d from Russia, begging the members of Serbia's royal family not to give way to Austria. It may easily be possible that the Russian telegrams all emanate from one person and have been forged, in order to counteract the disposition to yield on the p

n-Augsburger Abendz

ue in so short a time, is an action discreditable to a stronger, and impossible on the part of a morally great, power. If Serbia chose wrongly in refusing to bite the dust, then the guilt is still chargeable to Austria for forcing her little neighbou

(or, at least, the dominating factor of the two) believed they had found a lever with which to break down the opposition by diplomacy. If that failed an immediate appeal to the sword should follow. The diplomatic forty-eight hours' coup-de-main failed, and the p

well-known Pan-Germanist (Dr. Beckmann, professor of history in Erlangen University) said that the proposal was an admission of a diplomatic defeat and a sign that the Entente Powers were afraid to draw the sword.

re with this opinion those

interested in the conflict. But the German Government makes its participation in the mediation dependent upon whether Austria-Hungary would accept this procedure, and in whic

tion. We think that any attempt at mediation between Austria and Serbia would have no prospect of success, because in Vienna they do not seem inclined to accept such an action. Diplomatic relations have not

imself. This conference of ambassadors is to seek a basis for an agreement and then submit the result to the cabinets in Vienna and St. Pe

ment of her military operations. Negotiations concerning Sir Edward Grey's proposal are at present occupying the cabinets,

erliner Tagtbl

for public discussion. There is, however, reason to doubt whether a conference between four great Powers as an organ for the mediation is the most suitable way out of the difficulty. Everyone is quite agreed that the details of the Austro-Serbian conflict, which concerns these two States alone, cannot be brought before the forum of a conference; but as regards the removal in good time of any difficulties which may arise between Austria and Russia, the question must be rais

uld not fail to support the Western Powers a

?lnische Zeitu

stria's Orange Book), and can find no record in them of any pacific action on Germany's part in eit

making their case public for the sole purpose of proving their innocence before the world. On

accepted ad hoc to the smallest

unalterable and inevitable, and you must

announcement: Count Berchtold has informed the English Ambassador that the Austro-Hungarian Government is grateful for Grey's mediation proposal, and appreciates the good

ng a conference. Sir Edward Grey mooted the proposal for a conference to the ambassadors in London on Friday, July 24

rey to hold a conference of four in London, etc." Another telegram, document No. 15, bearing the same date and likewise from Bethmann-Hollweg to Lichnowsky is as follows: "We have immediat

ons between Vienna and Petrograd had already ceased, although the K?lnisc

"Count Berchtold begs me to express his thanks to you for communicating the English mediation proposal. He replies, however, that in consequence of the

presentative in London: "When Sir Edward Grey speaks of the possibility of avoiding an outbreak of hostilities

ach Vienna. Apparently it took from Monday to Wednesday to go by telegram from London via Berlin to Vienna. Two German newspapers (a

n declaring war subsequently to the alleged shooting by Serbians at frontier guards, would make mention of the acts as a casus belli. On p.

e conference; they desired war, and a conference might have preserved peace. During the present sum

bligations between the Entente Powers are able to understand the role which Russia's two comrades (France and England)-to say nothing at all of Italy-would have played in this conference. During its sittings Russia would have continued her military preparations, while Germany would have been pledged not

ann Oncken: "Deutschland un

ultimatum to Serbia which were incompatible with Serbia's sovereignty, has been categorically

that Austria-Hungary's Ambassador, Count Szapary, in St. Petersburg had informed Monsieur Sasonow, Russia's Minister for Foreign Affairs, th

olutely unthinkable. The passage cited from the British Ambassador's report, as well as some other phrases in the same, are evidently inspired by a certain bias. They ar

fulfilled, and a European conflict has arisen out of a local settlement, it can only be ascribed to the circumstance that Russia first threatened Aust

ted out to the Russian Government that "preparatory military measures on Russia's part would compel Germany to take corresponding steps, viz., the mobilization of the army. Mobilization means war." Oncken does not quote any of the "peaceful explanations" (fri

utral Press of the world and an unusually large section of the German Press, immediately pronounced Austria's position to be indefensible and untenable. The German Government, in spite of these facts, gave its official and

nds. Mr. C. (Russia) who is a relation, patron and friend of B.'s, interferes to see fair play. Whereupon Mr. D. (Germany), a friend and relation of A.'s, informs C. in unmistakable fashion that he must neither speak nor act in the affair or he will be immediately th

ared on the scene the situation becomes perfectly simple: Russia has absolutely no right either to speak or move in the matter. On this rock of immovable Germanic obstinacy the Russian shi

s seen by a study of the German newspapers published between July 25th and August 1st. A great part of the German nation had welcomed Austria's expressed determination to compel Serbia "to li

. In fact, it required little tuning to arouse a national chorus, which was swelled sub

l support." Then the various paragraphs are cited, and the article concludes: "That is to say: (1.) Assuming Austria attacks Serbia, and Russia as a precautionary measure sends troops to the Austrian frontier without commencing hostilities against the latter, then Germa

n-Augsburger Abendz

in politics and international law. Again and again it has been asserted that that Power which decla

ng Germans to stand fast, ghastly pictures of the weakness and unpreparedness of the Russian army, i

d, but it is true that yesterday the entire citadel in Warsaw was blown up. Official Russian reports endeavour to prove that the explosion was caused by lightning. The

ossische Zeitu

xplosion. "According to the statement of the Governor of Warsaw it was caused by revolutionaries. No proof of this was forthcoming, therefore it was ascri

f high rank blew the magazine up, because they would have to supply the troops with ammunition after the mobil

een signed by the Kaiser. On making inquiries in official quarters, we were informed that the 'news' is false. At three o'clock Wolff's Bureau issued an official dementi: 'We have received an official statement to the effect that the

ized. An account of this faux pas appeared on July 31st in the Kreuz Zeitung and concluded, after denying the truth of the mobilization, with the following paragraph: "If bodies of troops have been moved to various points of our Eastern frontier, then it only means the so-call

ered at that a feeling of disquietude is spreading throughout all classes of the nation. By delay on our side, valuable military advantages may be lost if the people once suspect that ther

tion and in seeking a peaceful solution to the crisis. Nevertheless the political situation on all sides and in every

Kreuz Zeitun

hat step. It is done for the sake of 'peace,' so that Russia, who is gathering her national strength together in masses, may

dare has made Berlin its headquarters. All efforts are for 'peace' with honour. But in politics one must be able to recognize when it is impossible to con

Deutsche Zeitu

out of the reckoning. Russia must be humbled. The German nation, believing itself entirely peaceful, and convinced th

pirit of the nation and the burning desire to settle off Russia once and for all, there was an undercurrent of overstrained nervousness. A Dresden paper of July 30th relates that between the

being unprepared and, together with England, desiring only peace. As early as July 27th in the T?gliche Rundschau the pub

ing to the Weser Zeitung, August 1st, Japan was arming for war, while the München-Augsburger Zeitung published details of an alliance concluded between Austria and Japan in Vienna on the afternoon of July 30th. According to this source Japan had pledged her

was mobilizing and had already declared war on Russia. Huge crowds flocked to the Jap

: Der Montag

ons, decided on July 31st to mobilize her entire forces. The German Ambassador immediately informed his Government of this step, a