Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-12-01

plicity with the crime of Sarayevo, but
furthermore, to permit foreign func-
tionaries to seek the authors Of this
crime on Servian territory.
Vienna gave Servia only two days to
ditions. In spite of the fact that NJ:
Won Jagow. the German minister of
foreign affairs. claimed to be in igno-
rance of the contents Of this note
(Which was nevertheless known to the
president of the Bavarian councfD,
Germany Immediately and without re-
striction united herself with her ally.
The German. ambassador came to the
Quay d'Orsay (the French foreign Of
nee in Paris) and endeavored to carry
through proposal which he represent
ed as being peaceful, but which was in
reality threatening. He declared that
the conflict should remain localized.
and that any Intervention on the part
Of third power would result in in
calculable consequences. This was
tantamount to letting it be understood
that Austria should have every liberty
to crush Servia and that Germany
would have recourse to arms to pre-
vent Russia from succoring Servia.
Aim Of Triple Entente.
Confronted with this situation. the
first thought of the powers forming the
triple entente was to gain time to ex-
anime the conflict with greater care.
and, II possible to render 1t less acute.
The powers. therefore, asked that
Vienna extend the period of delay al
lowed Servia for her answer. Then
Austria became fearful that she would
be left without a preteXt OF war. ana
she endeavored to ward of this danger
by another expedient. She declined or
avoided the request for an extension
and declared insufficient the Servian an
swer. which was given to her In good
time and which admitted and accepted
her principal demands.
Austria thereupon ordered her min
lister at Belgrade to leave the Servian
(July 26). and diplomatic rela-
tons with Serv1a were severed.
With this development the situation
became considerably aggravated. The
still endeavored to bring about set
tlement- In the meantime, M Won
Schoen. the German ambassador at
Paris. came to the Quay d'Orsay and
demanded that France exert her infiu-
ence on Russia in a peaceful sense: but
he refused to exert similar peaceful in
iuence at Vienna
England proposed to avoid a crisis
by submitting the Austro-Serb diff
guilty to the official mediation Of the
interested therein. France and Russia
accepted this proposal to International
Ze the question. but Germany refused
under the pretext that she could not
thus humiliate her ally, and she pro-
posed. in the place of this common &C
ton, the opening of direct CONVERSE
tons between Vienna and St Peters
burg, saying the latter was ready to
consent to this arrangement The con-
dict seemed consequently at this time
when, for the third time. Austria, by
fresh provocation. killed the hopes au-
by all that had been done up
to the present in the direction OF con-
July 2s) and began at the same time
4 partial mobilization against Russia
On her frontiers July 29).
Reduces Chance for Peace.
THE chances for peace now seemed
greatly reduced. particularly as the
Austrian army began the bombardment
Of Belgrade. the occupation of which
seemed to be nothing more than ques-
ton Of hours. The powers Of the triple
entente did not, however, give up all
hope of accomplishing something in these
last remaining minutes. On one side Sir
Grey British foreign secretary
started a new project for four-sided
a project in which Russia
Joined at the demand of France NJ. Won
Jagow, to whom this project was COM
municated, evaded 1t by declaring tnat
while he adhered to its principle. it was
to find a formula that would
be. acceptable to Austria He was then
invited to formulate himself a proposal
Of settlement, but, he again avoided the
issue by saying that he would consult
the Vienna cabinet on this point.
'Sir Edward Grey, whose spirit Of
conciliation seemed indefatigable, then
came forward with a new compronisory
which provided that all the
powers should call halt to their mill
tary preparations Furthermore. Russia
gave q fresh evidence Of her desire to
maintain the peace Of Europe by Offering
to maintain an attitude Of expectation,
If Austria would eAgage not to undertake
any measures directed against the SOW
ereignty OF Servia, even after having oc-
cupied Belgrade.
Austria Makes Concession.
1T was then that the cabinet Of Vienna,
perhaps fearful of the consequences Of
its irreconcilability. and feeling the
necessity Of taking step backward. de-
clared for the first time that 1t was
ready to discuss with Europe the funda-
mental principle Of its difference with
Servia At the very moment that this