The author has noted (ante, p. [175]) that as the belated offer of Austria on July the 31st “to discuss [with Russia] the substance of the Austrian ultimatum to Servia” did not offer to suspend military preparations or operations, the concession was more nominal than real. The Austrian Red Book converts this inference into a certainty, and makes clear that Austria’s pretended change of policy was only diplomatic finesse, as it contained no substantial modification of its uncompromising attitude.
Russia had proposed on July the 30th (ante, p. [166]) that “if Austria consents to stay the march of her armies upon Servian territory” and further agreed that the question of “the reparation which Servia could accord to the Government of Austria-Hungary” could be examined by the Great Powers, Russia would suspend her military preparations. As the underlying question was whether Austria should be permitted to subjugate Servia without interference, it was vital that that subjugation should not proceed pending an examination by all interested powers into its justice and ultimate ends.
Sir Edward Grey had previously requested Germany on July the 28th “to use its influence” with the Austrian Government “to the effect that the latter either consider the reply from Belgrade satisfactory or else accept it as a basis for discussion between the Cabinets.” The German Foreign Office then instructed the German Ambassador at Vienna “to submit the British proposal to the Vienna Cabinet for its consideration” (Austrian Red Book, No. 43). As a result of this suggestion, Count Berchtold on July the 29th (Austrian Red Book, No. 44) again shut the door upon any compromise by the contention that Austria
“no longer is in a position to meet the Servian reply in the spirit of the British suggestions, since at the time when the German request was presented here, a state of war already existed between the Dual Monarchy and Servia, and thus the Servian reply had been superseded by events.”
The only counter-suggestion which Austria then made was as follows:
“Should the British Cabinet be prepared to exert its influence upon the Russian Government for the maintenance of peace among the Great Powers, and for a localization of the war, which had been forced upon us by the Servian agitation of many years’ standing, such efforts would meet with the Imperial and Royal Government’s appreciation.” (Austrian Red Book, No. 44.)
On July 31st the German Ambassador at Vienna, acting on instructions (which instructions are again not disclosed in the German White Book) informed Count Berchtold “of a conversation between Sir Edward Grey and Prince Lichnowsky,” in the course of which the British Secretary of State declared to the German Ambassador that Russia felt unable “to treat directly with Austria-Hungary and therefore requested Great Britain to resume her mediation” and that “as a condition of this mediation, however, the Russian Government stipulates the suspension of hostilities in the meanwhile.” (Austrian Red Book, No. 51.)
Thereupon Count Berchtold made the eleventh hour offer in question by instructing the Austrian Ambassador at St. Petersburg
“to express our readiness to consider Sir Edward Grey’s proposition to mediate between us and Servia despite the changes brought about in the situation by Russia’s mobilization. Our acceptance, however, is subject to the condition that our military action against Servia shall nevertheless proceed and that the British Cabinet shall induce the Russian Government to stop the mobilization directed against us. It is understood that in this case we would at once cancel our defensive military counter-measures in Galicia, which had been forced upon us by Russia’s mobilization.” (Austrian Red Book, No. 51.)