"begged Austria to reply to your last proposal, and that he
had received a reply to the effect that the Austrian Minister
for Foreign Affairs would take the wishes of the Emperor this
morning in the matter."

_Again the text of the letter in which Germany "begged" Austria to be
conciliatory is not found in the record._

The excuse of Germany that the mobilization of Russia compelled it to
mobilize does not justify the war. Mobilization does not necessarily
mean aggression, but simply preparation. If Russia had the right to
mobilize because Austria mobilized, Germany equally had the right to
mobilize when Russia mobilized, but it does not follow that either of
the three nations could justify a war to compel the other parties to
demobilize. Mobilization is only a preparation against eventualities. It
is the right of the sovereign State and by no code of ethics a _casus
belli_. The demand of Germany that Russia could not arm to defend
itself, when Austria was preparing for a possible attack on Russia, has
few, if any, parallels in history for bullying effrontery. It treated
Russia as an inferior, almost a vassal, State.

It must be observed that, while Germany insisted that Russia should
demobilize, the Kaiser offered no reciprocal promise. On his theory
Germany and Austria were to be left free to complete their preparations,
but Russia was to tie her own hands and leave herself "naked to her
enemies." This is shown by the last telegrams which passed between the
Czar and Kaiser. The Czar telegraphed:

"I have received your telegram. I comprehend that you are
forced to mobilize, but I should like to have from you the
same guaranty which I have given you, viz., that these
measures do not mean war, and that we shall continue to
negotiate for the welfare of our two countries and the
universal peace which is so dear to our hearts. With the aid
of God it must be possible to our long-tried friendship to
prevent the shedding of blood. I expect with full confidence
your urgent reply."

To this the Kaiser replied:

"I thank you for your telegram. I have shown yesterday to your
Government the way through which alone war may yet be averted.
Although I asked for a reply by today noon, no telegram from
my Ambassador has reached me with the reply of your
Government. I therefore have been forced to mobilize my army.
An immediate, clear, an