THE WHITE BOOK

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 245, 19 November 1914, Page 11

THE WHITE BOOK

LIST OF

BBNCKENDQRFF. COUNT—- '■'"*■ • ' Russian Ambassador in Great Britain. BEBCHTOLD, COUNT— Austrian Minister, for Foreign Affairs. BERTIE, to'T.- •-*■•• British Minister, Paris. BIENVENU-MABTIN, M.— Acting French Minister for Foreign. Affairs. BOSGHKOVITOH, M.— s Servian Minister in London. BUCHANAN, SIB G.~ -, ,British Ambassador, S|., Petersburga. . BUtfSEN, SIR M. 4e— '•' . \ \ ..s „ ' British Ambassador, Vienna. CAMBON, MV— , French Ambassador in London. CRACKANTHORPE, D. E. M.— OhargS d'Affaires, Belgrade. > GOSOHBN, SIB H.— . British Ambassador at Berlin..

FFICIALS

j No. 7. 'iSirM. deßunsen to Sir Edward Grey. -4 (Received Ju1y.24.) (Telegraphic). Vienna, July 24, 1914. Before departing on leave of absence, I was'assured; byßussian Ambassador that any action taken by Austria to humiliate Serviacould not leave Russia indifferent. . Russianv Charge/ d 'Affaires was received this morning by Minister for For-, eign Affairs, and said to him, as his own petSpiial view, that Austrian Note was drawn up in a form rendering It impossible for acceptance as it stood, and that it was both unusual and peremptory in its terhls. Minister for Foreign Affairs- replied that Austrian Minister was under instructions to leave Belgrade unless Austrian demands were accepted integrally by i 4 p.m. to-morrow. His Excellency added that Dual Monarchy felt that its very-existence.was at stake; and that the *. had, caused great satisfaction tifcoughout the country. He did not think th.ati: objections, to what had been done could be raised, by any Power. No. 8. Mr Crackanthorpe to Sir. Edward Grey. July 24i) (Telegraphic.) Belgrade, July 24, 1914. " Austrian demands sire considered abso- . iutel'y' 'tinacceptable by Servian Govern- " ment, who earnestly trust that his Majesty's Government may see their way to induce,' Austrian Government to.moderate ' them. j This request, was conveyed to me by Servian Prime-Minister,, who returned early thi» morning to Belgrade* His Excellency .is dejected,, and is clearly very anxious as, to developments that may *rtee.'-o; ! :>■.,•■ ..,■.•'■'',.-. ■. '. Nok9. 'sTote communicated by German Ambassador,; July 24. 1914. :# ' Tne publication of the Austre r Hungarian Government concerning .the-, circumstances Under which the assassination of the Austrian heir presumptive and , ; his consort has- taken place disclose .unmistakably the aims which the Great Servian; propaganda has set itself, and the means, it|employs to.realise them.. ..The facts nowj ntgde known must do away with tble last dbubts'that the Ventre of activity of all those tendencies which are directed towards the detachment of the souihefe -Slavprovinces f Aus-tro-H/ngarian monarchy and their incorporation into the Servian "kingdom is to be found in Belgrade",' and is at work i thjore ,with at least the '.connivance,"of members of Government and army., u ;. ~,.. . The Servian intrigues have been- going on for many years.•, In an especially marked form the Great Servian chauvin-ism-manifested itself during the Bos-

nian crisis; It was only owing to the

far-reaching self-restraint and ;rtioderati&ti of the AustrO-Hungarian: Government and' to the energetic interference of the Great Powers that the Servian provocations to which Austria-Hungary was then 'exposed did not lead'to a conflict. The assurance of good conduct in future which Was given by the Servian Government at that time has not been Kept. Under the eyes, at least with the tacit permission of official Servia, the Great Servian propaganda has continuously increased in extension and intensity;, to, its aecount must be set tlie recen£ crime, the threads of which lelad to,vßelgrade. It has become clearly evident/that- it would not be consistent either with the dignity or with; the selfpreservation ; of. the Axtstro-Hungarian monarchy still longer to remain inactive in face of this movement on the other sijde gf.the frontier,- by . which the security and the integrity of her territories are constantly menaced. Under these circumstances, the course Of procedure and demands of the Austro-Hun-garian Government car only be regarded as equitable and moderate. In spite oi that, the attitude whicjh public opinion as well-as the Government in Servia have recently adopted does not exclude the apprehension that the Servian Government might refuse to comply with ttfose demands,, and might allow themselves to be carried away into a provocative attitude against AustriaHungary. The Austro-Hungarian Government, if it does not wish definitely to' abandon Austria's position as a Great Power, would then have no.choice but toj obtain' the fulfilment of their det«|indi from the Servian Government by strong, pressure, and, if necessary, by niing military measures, the choice of tl|e mearas,-having to be?-leffc 'to ihem. !;The Imperial Government want to emphasise their opinion, that in .the! present' case'there is only ; question iof a matter to,,be settled exclusiy,ejy;.betjween Ajustria-Hungary and Servia,, and j that thje Gfe&t '.-, Powers ought ( seriously to endeavour to reserve it to those twjo immediately concerned. The Government desire urgently the localisation of the conflict, because every interference of another Power would, awing to; the different treaty obligations, be followed ; by incalculable consequences. No. 10. ; \, j Sir Edward Grey to Sir F.'Bertie. ">, foreign Office,' Julyj 24< 1914. Sir,—After telling M. Cambon to-day of the Austrian communication tdj Servia, which I had received 1 thisf morning, and of the: comment' I had rinade to Count Meusdorff upon it yesterday, I

CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING THE EUROPEAN CRISIS. -

E. GREY.

I Sir Edward Grey toMr Grackanthorpe. (Telegraphic.) .......... j.... Foreign Office, July 24, 1914.

j Servia ought to promise, that, if it is proved that Servian officials, however subordinate they may be, were accomplices ii the murder of the; Archduke at Sarajevo, she will give Austria the fullest satisfaction. She eertaii&ly,: ought to express cpneern and regret. Fori the "'■ rest, Servian Government must reply to Austrian dtemands as they consider best in Servian interests "i -?:;;■' i It is impossible to* say* whether "military

DIPLOMATIC NEGOTIATIONS PRECEDING THE WAR HOW ENGLAND WORKED EOR PEACE The White Book which we propose to reprint in this and ; succeed' -13 issues of THE SUN contains the official report of Sir Edward Grey's speech in je Houc* of Commons Justifying British intervention in the war, together with the cVpiomatic correspondence and negotiations arising out of the crisis which developed in Europe on the assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife. The narrative is of extraordinary interest, and la essential to a proper understanding of Britain's attitude.

told M. Cambon that this afternoon I was to see the Gerniaii' Ambassador, who some days 4 ago had asked me privately 'to exercise* moderating influence in St. Petersburg. I would say to the ambassador thafeiol-eourseyif the, presentation of this ultimatum to Servia did--not lead to trouble between Austria and Russia, we need not.concern ourselves about il; but, if Russia took the-view of the Austrian ultimatum which it seemed tome that any Power interested in Servia would take,, J should be quite powerless, in face of the _ terms, of tlie ultimatum, to exercise any moderating influence. I would say that I thought 1 the only chance of any mediating or moderating influence being exercised was ,that Germany, France, Italy, and ourselves, who had not direct interests.in Servia, should act together for the sake of peace simultaneously in Vienna, and St. Petersburg. M. Cambon said that, if 1 there was a ! chance of mediation by the four Powiers, he had no doubt.that his Government would be glad to join in it; but he pointed out that we could not say anything in St. Petersburg till Russia had expressed some opinion or taken some action. But, when two days were Lover, Austria would, march into Servia, ; for the Servians could not possibly accept the Austrian -,. demand. Russia would be compelled by her public opinion to take action as soon as Austria attacked Servia, and, therefore, onee the Austrian? had attacked Servia, it would be too late for; any mediation, I said that I had not contemplated being said in St. Petersburg until after it was clear that there must be trouble between Austria and Russia* I .had thought that if Austria did move into Servia, and Russia then mobilised, it would be possible for the four Powers to. urge Austria to. stop her advance, and Russia also to stop hers, pending mediation;. But it-would; be essential for any chance of success for such a step that Germany should participate in it.

M. Cambon said that it would be too late after Austria had once moved against Servia. The important thing was to gain time by mediation in Vienna. The best chance of this being accepted would be that Germany would propose it\to, the other Powers. I said that by this* he meant a mediation between Austria and Servia; He replied that" it was so. I said ifhat I would talk to the German Ambassador this afternoon on the subject. am, etc.,

No. 11. Sir Edward Grey to Sir H; Rumbold.— (Telegraphic.) Foreign Office, July 24, 1914. German Ambassador has communicated to me the view of the German Government about the Austrian demand in Servia. I understand that the German* Government is making the same communication to the Powers.

I said that if the Austrian ultimatum to Servia did not lead to* trouble between Austria and Russia I had no concern with it; I had heard nothing yet from St. Petersburg, but I was very apprehensive of the view Russia would take of the situa : tion. I reminded the German Ambassador that some days ago he had expressed a personal hope that if need arose I would endeavour to exercise moderating influence on St. Petersburg, but now I said that, in view of the extraordinarily stiff character of the Austrian" Note, the shortness of the time allowed, and the wide scope of the demands uphn Servia, 1 felt quite helpless as far as Ru?sia was concerned, and I did' riot believe any Power coiild exercise influence alone.

The only chance I could see of meditating or moderating influence being effective, was that the four Powers —Germany, Italy, France, and ourselves —'should work together simultaneously at Vienna and St. Petersburg in ; favotir of nioderation in the event of the relations between Austria and Russia becoming threatening. The immediate danger was that in a few hours Austria .might- march into Servia and Russian Slav opinion demand that Russia should march to help Servia; it would be very desirable, to get Austria riot to precipitate military action, and so to gain more time. But none of us could influence Austria in this direction, unless Germany would propose and participate in such action at Vienna. Yori should inform. Secretary pf State. j Prince Lichnowsky said; that Austria might be expected to move when the time limjt expired unless.-Servia could unconditional acceptan.ee, of Austrian de-. mands in tpto. Speaking ; privately, his l|xcelleney.. suggested, that a negative remust in no; case!jbe ; returned by Servia; a reply favourable on some points nkust be sent at onee ri so t that an excuse against immediate action, might be afforded to Austria.,/.. ....'

GREY, SIR EDWABD— British Minister for Foreign Affairs, London. LICHNOWSKY, PRINCE— , German Ambassador in London. MENSDOBFF, COUNT— Austrian Ambassador in London. NICOLSON, SIR A.— Permanent Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, London. RUMBOLD,- SIB H.— nnVtin «™ Second in Charge, ; British Embassy, Berlin. .. RODD, SIB B.— '<■■■'■ *'< British Ambassador, Rome. SAZONOF, M.— . om ™ MB .A Minister for Foreign Affairs, St. Petereburgh. Russian Ambassador at Vienna. VILLIEBS, SIR F.-^ ; „,„„»„, . British Minister at Brussels. ! VIVIANI, M.— Prime Minister of France. •

action by Austria when time limit expires can be averted,by anything but unconditional acceptance of her demands, but only chance-appears to lie in avoiding an absolute refusal and replying favourably to as many points as the time limit allows. Servian Minister here has begged that his Majesty's Government will express their views, but I cannot undertake the .responsibility of saying more than I have said above, and I do not like to say .even that without knowing what is being said at Belgrade by French and Russian Governments: You should therefore consult your French and Russian colleagues as to repeating what my views are, as expressed above, to Servian Government. I have urged upon German Ambassador that.Austria should not precipitate tary ■•'' "•• '■■'*' ••■'" : ;'■■'■■ ■ . NoTll3.

Note communicated by Russian Ambassador, Jiily 25. (Translation.) •M.' SazoriOf telegraphs! to, the Russian Charge d 'Affaires at Vienna on the 11th (24th) "The communication made, by ..Aus-tria-Hungary to the Powers the-day after ■ the presentation of the ultimatitm at Belgrade leaves a period to the Powers which is quite insufficient *to enable them to take any steps which might help to smooth away the difficulties that have arisen. '' In order to -prevent the consequences, equally incalculable and fatal to all the Powers, which may result from .the cou.rse of action followed by the AustrO-Hungar-ian Governmerit,it seems to uS to M be* above all essential that the period allowed for the Servian reply should be extended. Austria-Hungary,, haying declared her readiness to inform, the Powers o£ the results of the inquiry upon which the Imperial and Royal Government base their accusations, should equally allow them sufficient'time to study them.

"In this case, if the Powers were that certain b£ the* Austrian demands were well-founded, they would be in a position to offer advice to the Servian Government.

"A refusal to prolong the term of the ultimatum, would render nugatory the proposals made by the AustroHungarian Government to the Powers, and would be in contradiction to the very bases of. international-relations.

"Prince Kudachef is instructed to communicate the above to the Cabinet at Vienna.

"M. Sazonof hopes that his Britannic Majesty's Government will share to the point of view set forth above, and he trusts that Sir E. Grey will see his way to furnish similar instructions to the British Ambassador at Vienna.''

No. 14. Sir Edward Grey to Sir F. Bertie and to Sir G. Buchanan. (Telegraphic*) Foreign Office, July 25, "1914. Austrian Ambassador has been authorised to explain to me that the step taken at Belgrade was not an ultimatum, but a demarche with a time limit, and that if the Austrian demands were not complied with i within the time limit the Austro-Hungarian Government would break off diplomatic relations and begin military preparations, not operations. In case Austro-Hungarian Government have not given the same information to Paris (St. Petersburg), you should inform Minister of Foreign Affairs as soon as possible; it makes the immediate situation rather less acute. N07~15. Sir F. Bertie to Sir Edward Grey.— (Received July 25.) (Telegraphic.) Paris, July 25, 1914. I learn from the Acting Political Director that the French Government have not yet received the explanation from the Austrian 'Government contained in your telegram of to-day.* They have, however, through the Servian Minister here, given similar advice to Servia as was contained in your telegram to Belgrade of yesterday.t * See .No:-14. tNo. 12. No. 16. Sir F. Bertie to Sir Edward Grey.— (Received July 25.) (Telegraphic.) .Paris, July 25, 1914. Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs has no suggestions to make, except that moderating advice might be given at "Vienna as well as at Belgrade. He hopes that the Servian Government's answer to the Austrian ultimatum will be sufficiently "favourable to obviate extreme measures being taken by the Austrian Government.. He says, however, that, there wquld be a revolution in Servia if she were to accept the" Austrian demands in their entirety. No. 17. >J Sir G. Buchanan to Sir Edward Grey.— (Received July 25.) (Telegraphic.) St. Petersburg, July 25, 1914.

I saw the. Minister 1 for Foreign Affairs this morning, and communicated to his Excellency,the substance ofyour telegram of to-day to Paris*, and this afternoon I discussed with him the-com? munieation. which the French Ambassador suggested should-be made, to the Servian Government, as recorded; in your telegram of yesterday to Belgrade.t ~-,;';•■ The Minister ,for. . Foreign Affairs said, as regards .the former, that the explanations qf .the Austrian Ambassa: dor did not quite, correspond with the information wljich had. reached; him from German ; quarters. Ae regards

I the "latter, both his Excellency and the French Ambassador agreed that it is too late to make such a communij cation, as the time limit expires this j evening) The Minister for Foreign Affairs said that Servia was quite ready to do as 'you had suggested and to punish those proved to be guilty, but that no independent State - could be expected to accept the political demands which /had been put forward. The Minister, for Foreign Affairs thought, from a conversation which he had with the Servian Minister yesterday, that, in the event of ' the Austrians attacking Servia, the Ser- , vian Government would abandon Belgrade, and withdraw their, forces into the interior, while they would at the same time appeal to the Powers to help them. His Excellency was in favour of making this appeal. He would like to see the question placed on an international footing, as the obligations taken by Servia in 1908, to which reference is made in the Austrian ultimatum, were given, not to Austria, but to the Powers. - If Servia should appeal to the Powers, Russia would be quite ready to stand aside and leave • the question in j the hands of -England, France, Ger-J many, and Italy. It was possible, in his opinion, that Servia might propose to submit the. question to arbitration. On my, expressing, the earnest hope that .Russia would not precipitate war by molfnli sing/until you had had time, to use ybur influence in favour ; of peace, his Excellency assured me that* Russia had no aggressive intentions, and she would take no action until it was forced on her. Austria's action was in reality directed against Russia. She aimed at overthrowing the present status quo in the Balkans, and establishing her own hegemony there. s He did not believe that Germany really wanted war,; but her attitude was decided by ours, j If we took our stand firmly with France, and Russia, there would be no war. If we failed them" now, rivers of blood wouJd flow, and we would in the end be dragged into war. I said that England could play the role of mediator.at Berlin and Vienna, to better purpose a& friend who, if 'her counsels of moderation were disregarded, might one day be converted into an ally, than if she were to declare herself Russia's ally at .once;-: His EXceHeney said that, unfortunately, Germany was convinced that she could count upon our neutrality. ; - ' I said all I could to impress pmdenee on the Minister for Foreigii Affairs, and warned faiim that if Russia mobilised, Germany would not. be content with mere mobilisation, or give Russia time to carry out hers, but would probably declare war at once. His Excellency replied that Russia could not allow Austria to crush Servia" arid become the predominant Power in the Balkans, and, if she feels secure of the support of France, she will face all the risks of war.; He assured me once more that he did not -wish to precipitate a conflict, but that unless Germany could restrain Austria I could regard the situation as desperate; .'•'"•' *See No: 14. tSee No. 12.

No. 18.

N&tei* I am informed by the UnderSecretary of State for Foreign' Affairs that it will be most conciliatory, and will meet the Austrian demands in as large a measure as is possible. The following i$ a brief summary of the projected reply:— *

The Servian Government consent to the publication of a declaration in the "Official Gazette." 'The ten points are accepted with reservations. Servian Government declare themselves ready to agree to a mixed commission of enquiry so long as the appointment of the commission can be shown to be in accordance with international-usage. They consent to dismiss and prosecute those, officers who can be clearly proved to be guilty, and they have already arrested the officer referred to in the Austrian Note. They are prepared to suppress the Narodna Odbbrana. ' The Servian Government : consider that, unless the Austrian Government want war at any cost, they" cannot but be content with the full satisfaction offered in the Servian reply.

No. 22. Mr Crackanthorpe to Sir Edward Grey July 25.) .. (Telegraphic.) , Belgrade, July 25,, 1914, I have seen the new French Minister, who has just arrived from Constantinople, and my Russian colleague, and informed them of your views. , They have not yet received, your ..instructions from their Governments, and in view of this and of the proposed conciliatory terms of the, Servian reply, I have up to now abstained from offering advice to the Servian Government., I think it is highly probable ; that the Russian Government have already urged the utmost moderation:on the Servian. Government. - ' No. 23.' ,".'/,,';,'.V . ' Mr Crackanthorpe' to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received July .25.). (Telegraphic.) ■ ■ * f- Belgrade, July 25, 1914. The Austrian Minister left at 6.30. The Government has..|eft for Nisch, where the Skuptchina will meet on

Monday. I am leaving with my other colleagues, but the vice-consul is remaining in'c'hftrge; of the archives.

No, 24. Sir Edward Grey to Sir-Gi Buchanan. (Telegraphic.) ■ ,v ; ' Foreign Office,; July 25, 1914.

You spoke, quite rightly in very difficult circumstances as to the attitude of his MajestyV Government'. 5 1 entirely approve what you saidy as.reported in your telegram of and 1-can-not. promise more on behalf of.'the Go-, vernment.

I do not consider that public opinion here would or ought to sanction our go? ing to war over a Servian quarrel. If, however, war does take; place, the development of other issues may draw us into, it, and I am therefore anxious to prevent it. ' The sudden, brusque, and peremptory character of the Austrian demarche makes it almost inevitable that in a very short time both, Russia and Austria will have mobilised against, pach other. In this ev,ent, the only chance of peace, in my opinion, is for the oth«r four Powers to -join in asking the' Austrian and Russian Governments: ricit to cross the frfontier, ami to give time for the four Powers acting at Vienna anil St. Petersburg to try and arrange i If Germany will adopt this view I feel strongly that France: and ourselves should act upon, it. Italy would no. doubt gladly co-operate. No diplomatic intervention'or media' tion would be tolerated by either Russia or Austria unless it was: clearly impartial and. included the allies or friends of both. The co-operation of Germany would, therefore, be essential.

Sir H. Rumbold to Sir Edward Grey. —(Received July 25.) , . •;..., .Berlin, July 25, 1914.: '■• Your telegram of July 24* acted on. Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs says that' on receipt of a telegram at ten. this morning from German Ambassador at London, he immediately instructed German Ambassador' at Vienna to pass on to" Austrian Minister for Foreign Affairs your suggestion for an extension of time limit, and to speak to his Excellency about It. Unfortunately it appeared from Press that Count Berchtold is at Isehml, and Secretary of State thought that in these circumstances there would be delay and difficulty in getting time limit extended. Secretary.of State said that he did not know what Austria-Hungary had ready on the spot, but he admitted quite freely that Austro-Hungarian Government wished to give the Servians a lesson, and that they meant to takG-milfc tary action. He also admitted that Servian Government could not swallow certain of the Austro-Hungarian demands. Secretary of State said that a reassuring feature of the situation was that Count Berchtold had sent for Russian representative at Vienna and had told him that Austria-Hungary had no intention of seizing Servian territory. This step should, in his opinion, exercise a calming influence at St. Petersburg. I asked whether it was not to be feared that, in taking military action against Servia, Austria would dangerously excite pliblie opinion in Russia. He said he thought not. He remained of opinion that crisis Could be localised.. I said that telegram's from Russia in this morning's papers did not look very reassuring, but he maintained his optimistic view with regard to Russia. He said that he had given the" Russian Government to understand that last thing Germany wanted was a general war, and he would do all in his power to prevent \ such a calamity. If the relations between Austria and Russia became threatening, he was quite ready to fall in with your suggestion as to the four Powers working; in favour of moderation at Vienna and St. Petersburg, i Secretary of State confessed privately that he thought the Note left much to be desired as a diplomatic document. He repeated very earnestly that, though he had been accused of knowing sill about the contents of that. Note, he had in fact had no such knowledge. No. 19. \ Sir R. Todd to Sir Edward Grey.— (Received July 25.) (Telegraphic.) . Rome, July 25, 1914. I saw the Secretary-General this morning and found that he knew of the suggestion that France, Italy, Germany x and ourselves should work at Vienna and St. Petersburg in favour of moderation, if the relations between Austria and Servia become menacing. In his opinion Austria will only be restrained by the unconditional acceptance by the Servian Government of her Note. There is reliable information that Austria intends to seize-the Saloriica Railway. ' : * See No.; 11. , \ \ " "'" No.- 20.' ""•'■ " ..i-.- • Sir M. de Bunsen to Sir Edward Grey. -r-(Received July 25.) (Telegraphic.) Vienna, July 25, 1914. : Language of Press' -this morning leaves the impression that the. surrender of Servia is neither expected nor really desired. It is officially announced that the Austrian Minister is instructed to leave Belgrade with staff of legation failing unconditional acceptance of Note at 6 p.m. to-day. ■ Minister of Foreign Affairs goes to laclil to-day to communicate" personally, to the Emperor Servian reply' when it comes. .' ;..'. , .'' . ". ' No. 21. • Mr Crackanthorpe to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received July 25.) ■* (Telegraphic.) - ■■■■■'•■ j Belgrade, July (25, 1914. i The Council of Ministers is now drawing up their reply to the Austrian •

* See No. 6,

No. 25.

Sir Edward Grey to Sir H.-'Rumbold. J: (Telegraphic.) . foreign.Office, .■■; The Austrian Ambassador •has been authorised to inform me that the - Austrian method of, procedure l on expiry of the time limit Would be to break off diplomatic relations and commence military preparations, "but not military operations. In informing the: German Ambassador, of this, I said that it interposed a stage of mobilisation'before the frontier was actually crossed, which I-had urged yesterday should be delayed. Apparently we should now soon be face to face with the mobilisation of Austria and Russia. The only chance of peace, if this, did happen, would, be for Germany, France, Russia, .and ourselves to keep together, and to join in asking Austria and Russia not to cross the frontier till we had had.time to try and arrange matters between them.

The German Ambassador read me a telegram from the German ■ Foreign Office, saying that his Government had not known beforehand, and had had no more than other Powers to do with the stiff terms of the Austrian Note to Servia, but that once she had launched that Note, Austria could not draw back. Prince Lichnowsky said, however, that if what, I contemplated was mediation 'between" Austria and Russia, Austria might ''be able with, dignity to sLceept it. He expressed himself as personally, >favourable td this''-sugges? tion.

I concurred in his observation, and said that I felt I had no title to intervene between Austria and Servia, but as soon as the question became one as between Austria and Russia, the peace of Europe, was affected, in which ~ we must all take a hand.

\_\ I impressed upon the Ambassador, that,.in the event of Russian; and.Ausr trian mobilisation, the participation of Gei'many would be essential to any diplomatic action for peace.! Alone we could do nothing. The French Government were travelling at the moment, and I had had no time to consult them, and could not therefore be sure of their views, but I was prepared, if the German Government agreed with my suggestion, to tell the French Government that I thought it the right thing to act upon it. (To be contimied to-morrow.)