this illusory appointment the Russian
Charge (M. Bronewsky)

sent, with all speed, a written note to the Secretary of
State, in which he pointed out that the delay of the
communication made by Austria to the Powers rendered the
effect of the communication illusory, since it did not give
the Powers time to become acquainted with the facts alleged
before the expiry of the ultimatum. He insisted very
urgently on the necessity of extending it, if one had not in
view the creation of a great crisis.[49]

[Footnote 49: French _Yellow Book_, No. 42.]

Thus in Berlin and Vienna by concerted action the representatives of
England, France, and Russia were evaded until the time limit for
Servia had expired.

Contrast with this petty finesse the spirit with which Sazonof
attempted to reach an agreement with the Austrian Ambassador at St.
Petersburg on July 26th, as set forth in the report of the French
Ambassador at St. Petersburg, under that date. He says:

The Minister for Foreign Affairs continues with praiseworthy
perseverance to seek means to bring about a peaceful
solution. "I shall show myself ready to negotiate up to the
last instant," he said to me.

It is in this spirit that he has asked Count Szapary[50] to
come and see him for a "frank and loyal explanation." In his
presence M. Sazonof discussed the Austro-Hungarian
ultimatum, article by article, showing clearly the insulting
character of the different clauses. "The intention which
inspired this document," he said, "is legitimate if you
pursue no other aim but the protection of your territory
against the agitation of Servian anarchists, but the step to
which you have had recourse is not defensible." He
concluded, "Take back your ultimatum, modify its form, _and
I will guarantee the result_."[51]

[Footnote 50: The Austrian Ambassador.]

[Footnote 51: French _Yellow Book_, No. 54.]

Upon one phase of Germany's foreign policy in this crisis the French
_Yellow Book_ naturally throws more light than the other publications.
I refer to the attempt of Germany to coerce France into a position of
neutrality, or possibly to secure from it some definition of its
attitude, which would compromise its relations with Russia. The
_Yellow Book_ charges that the German Ambassador, under the pretext
of securing an authorized statement to the press to allay public