ote.[19]

[Footnote 19: Russian _Orange Paper_, No. 12.]

It is evident from the Russian _Orange Paper_ that that country had no
illusions as to the possibility of a peaceful outcome. Germany has
contended that on July the 24th, before Count Berchtold made his
inopportune visit to Ischl, he sent for the Russian Charge at Vienna
and assured him that the punitive measures which Austria had
determined to take against Servia at all costs would not involve any
territorial acquisitions.

Of this interview the chief evidence comes indirectly from two
sources, which are not entirely in accord.

In a telegram from the German Ambassador at Vienna to the German
Chancellor, dated July 24th, it is said:

Count Berchtold to-day summoned the Russian Charge
d'Affaires in order to explain to him in detail and in
friendly terms the position of Austria regarding Servia.
After going over the historical developments of the last few
years, he laid stress on the statement that the monarchy
did not wish to appear against Servia in the role of a
conqueror. He said that Austria-Hungary would demand no
territory, that the step was merely a definitive measure
against Servian machinations; that Austria-Hungary felt
herself obliged to exact guarantees for the future friendly
behavior of Servia toward the monarchy; that he had no
intention of bringing about a shifting of the balance of
power in the Balkans. The Charge d'Affaires, who as yet had
no instructions from St. Petersburg, took the explanations
of the Minister _ad referendum_ adding that he would
immediately transmit them to Sazonof.[20]

[Footnote 20: German _White Paper_, No. 3.]

In a report of the same interview from the English Ambassador at
Vienna to Sir Edward Grey, it is said:

Russian Charge d'Affaires was received this morning by
Minister for Foreign Affairs, and said to him, as his own
personal view, that Austrian note was drawn up in a form
rendering it impossible of acceptance as it stood, and that
it was both unusual and peremptory in its terms. Minister of
Foreign Affairs replied that Austrian Minister was under
instructions to leave Belgrade unless Austrian demands were
accepted integrally by 4 P.M. to-morrow. His Excellency
added that Dual Monarchy felt that its very existence was at
stake; and that the step taken had caused great satis