It would be right to give over the Austro-Servian problem to
The Hague Tribunal. I trust in your wisdom and friendship."
"NICOLAS."

This telegram is not contained in the "German White Book." But Professor
von Mach gives it in his "Official Diplomatic Documents" (p. 596).

I have been unable to find in any book, pamphlet, or collection of
papers a trace of the Kaiser's answer. Probably he did not send one.

On the second point I propose to quote only the three definite proposals
which were before the German Government on July 31, 1914.

Sir Edward Grey, the British Secretary for Foreign Affairs, had been
trying with the cordial help of the Russian Foreign Minister, Sazonof,
and the President of the Council of France, M. Viviani, to formulate a
plan of averting general hostilities which would meet the approval of
Germany.

(1) On July 29 Sir E. Grey had an official conversation with the German
Ambassador in London and laid before him a proposal in regard to the
halting of military measures, described in the following words:

"It was of course too late for all military operations against Servia to
be suspended. In a short time, I supposed, the Austrian forces would be
in Belgrade, and in occupation of some Servian territory. But even then
it might be possible to bring some mediation into existence if Austria,
while saying that she must hold the occupied territory until she had
complete satisfaction from Servia, stated that she would not advance
further, pending an effort of the Powers to mediate between her and
Russia." (Off. Dip. Doc., p. 307.) This proposal was telegraphed to
Berlin on the same day, and from there to Vienna. So far as I know no
answer to it has ever been received, though King George V warmly
supported the proposal in a personal telegram (July 30) to Prince Henry
of Prussia, and begged him to urge it upon the Kaiser.

(2) On July 30 Sazonof in the name of the Czar presented to the German
Ambassador at Petrograd, and telegraphed for delivery to the Foreign
Offices at Berlin and Vienna, the following proposal:

"If Austria, recognizing that the Austro-Servian question has assumed
the character of a question of European interest, declares herself ready
to eliminate from her ultimatum points which violate the sovereign
rights of Servia, Russia undertakes to stop her military preparations."
(Off. Dip. Doc., p. 341.)

The German Foreign Minister von