Jagow, without waiting to consult
Vienna, replied "that he considered it impossible for Austria to accept
the proposal." (Ibid., p. 342.) Austria said nothing at all!

(3) On July 31 practically the same proposal, modified on the suggestion
of Sir E. Grey and M. Viviani, was renewed by Russia. As presented to
Berlin and Vienna it read as follows:

"If Austria consents to stay the march of her troops on Servian
territory; and if, recognizing that the Austro-Servian conflict has
assumed the character of a question of European interest, she admits
that the Great Powers may examine the satisfaction which Servia can
accord to the Austro-Hungarian Government without injury to her rights
as a sovereign State or her independence, Russia undertakes to maintain
her expectant attitude." (Off. Dip. Doc., p. 370.)

No answer from Austria, who had ordered a general mobilization at one
o'clock in the morning of that day!

No answer from Germany, except the prompt proclamation of Kriegsgefahr,
and the declaration of war on Russia on August 1!

Thus three successive opportunities of putting a stop to further
military preparations of Russia on the simple condition that Austria
would go no further, but be content with what she already had occupied
as a guarantee for reparation from Servia--three golden occasions of
preserving the peace of Europe--were brushed aside by Germany
practically without consideration.

Yet the marvellous people at Potsdam go on saying that it was the
Russian military preparation that brought this war down on the
world!--that Germany always wanted peace, and worked for it!

Why then did she not accept the proffered chance of staying the progress
of Russian preparations when it lay within her power to do so by lifting
a finger?

Because she did not wish the chance. Because she wished Austria to go on
with the subjugation of Servia. Because she wished Russia to be forced
to go on with her measures to intervene for the rescue of Servia from
extinction. Because she wished herself to go on with her design of
putting her own incomparable military machine at work to force her will
on Europe. Because she wished to have a false excuse to cover her own
guilt in making the war by saying: "Russia did it."

The Potsdam gang forgot one thing. Most liars forget something.

They forgot that by refusing the opportunity for peaceful settlement
which would have removed their excuse for making war, they would furnish
the