--(British "White Paper" No. 11.)
From a conversation of Grey with the Prince Lichnowsky, the German
Ambassador, on July 25:
Alone we could do nothing. The French Government were traveling
[this refers to the visit at St. Petersburg by Messrs. Poincare and
Viviani] at the moment, and I had had no time to consult them, and
could not, therefore, be sure of their views.--(British "White
Paper" No. 25.)
If Sir Edward Grey sincerely desired the maintenance of peace, he must
have had to use his entire influence at St. Petersburg to bring about
the stopping of the threatening military measures taken by Russia,
whereas he was waiting for the opinion of the French Government. He was
bound to do this, so much the more in view of the fact that he demanded
from Germany that it should exert its influence with Austria.
That this request of Grey's was complied with by Germany in so far as
it was in any way in accord with the alliance with Austria-Hungary, and
that in Vienna every effort was made to conciliate matters, is shown by
the assurance of the Chancellor; he declares:
In spite of this [the Austro-Hungarian Government having remarked
with full appreciation of our action that it had come too late] we
continued our mediatory efforts to the utmost and advised Vienna to
make any possible compromise consistent with the dignity of the
monarchy.
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