The time allowed in this matter has been so short that I have had to
take the risk of making a proposal without the usual preliminary steps
of trying to ascertain whether it would be well received. But, where
matters are so grave and the time so short, the risk of proposing
something that is unwelcome or ineffective cannot be avoided. I cannot
but feel, however, assuming that the text of the Servian reply as
published this morning in the press is accurate, as I believe it to be,
that it should at least provide a basis on which a friendly and
impartial group of powers, including powers who are equally in the
confidence of Austria-Hungary and of Russia, should be able to arrange a
settlement that would be generally acceptable.
It must be obvious to any person who reflects upon the situation that
the moment the dispute ceases to be one between Austria-Hungary and
Servia and becomes one in which another great power is involved, it can
but end in the greatest catastrophe that has ever befallen the Continent
of Europe at one blow; no one can say what would be the limit of the
issues that might be raised by such a conflict; the consequences of it,
direct and indirect, would be incalculable.
* * * * *
A GRAVE SITUATION.
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