asked him whether
such an ultimatum had been sent.

Herr von Jagow replied affirmatively, adding that the note
was energetic, and that he approved it, the Servian
Government having long since exhausted Austrian patience. He
considers, moreover, that for Austria the question is one of
a domestic nature, and he hopes that it will be localized. I
then said to him that, not having received any instructions,
I only wished to have with him an entirely personal exchange
of views. I then asked him if the Berlin Cabinet had really
been in complete ignorance of the Austrian claims before
they were communicated to Belgrade, _and as he replied that
this was so_, I expressed my surprise that he should thus
undertake to support pretensions, the limit and nature of
which he ignored.

"It is only," said Herr von Jagow, interrupting me, "because
we are talking personally between ourselves that I allow you
to say that to me."

"Certainly," I replied, "but if Peter I. humiliates himself
Servia will probably be given over to internal troubles.
That will open the door to fresh possibilities, and do you
know where Vienna will lead you?" I added that the language
of the German Press was not that of a people who were
indifferent and foreign to the affair, but told of active
support. Finally, I remarked that the shortness of the time
given to Servia in which to yield would make a bad
impression upon Europe.

Herr von Jagow replied that he expected "_un peu
d'emotion_," on the part of Servia's friends, but that he
counted upon their giving Servia good advice.

"I do not doubt," I then said, "that Russia will make an
effort in Belgrade to bring the Cabinet to make what
concessions are acceptable, but if you ask something of one,
why not ask it of the other? And if it be expected that
advice will be given in Belgrade, is it not legitimate to
expect that on the other hand advice will also be tendered
to Vienna?"

The Secretary of State allowed himself to say that that
would depend on circumstances, but, recovering himself
immediately, declared that the matter must be localized. He
asked me if really I considered the situation serious.
"Assuredly," I replied, "for, if what is going on has been
pondered over, I do not understand why peopl