In doing this it took care to notify the German Government that this
step, limited in character and not constituting an offensive move
against Austria, was not in any way directed against Germany.
In a conversation with the Russian Ambassador at Berlin the German
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs showed no objection to
recognizing this.
Germany Becomes Warlike.
On the other hand, all the attempts of Great Britain, backed by Russia
and with the support of France, for establishing contact between Austria
and Servia under the moral auspices of Europe, was met in Berlin by a
premeditated negative attitude, the existence of which is absolutely
proved by the diplomatic communications.
This made a troublous state of affairs which pointed to the existence at
Berlin of certain mental reservations. A few hours later these
suppositions and fears were destined to be changed into certainties.
For the negative attitude of Germany was transformed thirty-six hours
later into truly alarming initiative. On July 31, Germany, by declaring
a state of war, cut off the communication between herself and the rest
of Europe, and gave herself perfect freedom to make military
preparations against France, in complete secrecy, which nothing, as you
have seen, could justify.
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