The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-07-28
Germany Holds Aloof, and
France May Be Merely
Temporizing.
SHADOW OF GENERAL WAR
STILL DARK OVER EUROPE
Austria Refuses Offer of Media
tion Except on Prohibi-
tory Terms.
FIGHT MAY BE LOCALIZED
Diplomats Striving to Prevent Spread
Of Conflagration From Austria
and Seryia.

Especial Cable to The Times -Dispatch.1
Paris. July 27.-The shadow OF
general war hovers over Europe as
black to-day as yesterday, despite the
frantic efforts of Sir Edward Grey to
bring France. Germany and italy into
line with England to mediate in the
Austro- Servian dispute.
Italy Immediately signifed her will
lingness to support England in this
plan. and France followed suit. Ger
many's action is doubtful.
The French attitude In this matter
is significant. as France Is governed by
Russias wishes, and Is Interpreted as
teInporiZing in n move that Is designed
to give Austria few days wherein
TO depart from it's present obstinacy
The drastic conditions precedent to the
acceptance of mediation laid down by
Austria to-day render the success OF
the movement highly improbable.
Austria verbally refused mediation
unless It is understood that the pres
sure of the mediatory powers will he
brought to bear solely upon Scrvia, not
only 10 accept unrcservedly every
stipulation set forth in Count Berch-
tolds brutal ultimatum, but also to pay
the cost of the Austrian army mobili-
zation. which Austria BADLY estimates
at SS0,ONO.0O0.
1t is obvious that this would amount
10 nothing less than complete sur
an attempt to defend herself. 1t would
also imI.'y that hereafter Servia would
be more or LEGS under the suzerrainty
OF the lIapsburG nations. Russia seems
resolved not to tolerate such an abiect
surrender on the part of her Slav ally.
Meanwhile, mobilization OF troops in
Austria is proceeding with fcvcrish
activity.
AUSTRIA DETER
ON APPEAL. TO ARMS
In the various chaucellcres to-day
the inclination was to interpret Aus
tria's uncompromising attitude as an
indication that she is bent upon an
appeal 10 AIMS, and Will take her
first active military measures against
Servia within twentyfour hours. At
the termination OF that time her mobi-.
lization will be complete. II can he
stated positively tonight that mme-
diatc conflict cannot be avoided, and
that after the first gun has been fired,
Russian Will send an ultimatum TO
Austria tantamount to declaration OF
war.
Whether the efforts OF pacific Eng
land are to be crowned with success or
not. there is no diplomat in Europe
who is not convinced that a peaceful
settlement now would only mean n
postponement OF the inevitable war be-
tween Teuton and SlaV. These races
are bound, sooner or later, to come into
a mighty clash that will involve tho
whole Of Europe.
Already this crisis has revealed to
the world in q most unmistakablc man
ner fact Of most extreme Importance
namely. a radical change has come
over the attitude of Europe toward the
distribution OF the power and influence
OF nations. Individually and as "A whole
The triple alliance no longer exists
in reality. The attitude of Italy since
Friday merely shows that, despite her
assurances OF her loyalty to that con-
tract, she would not take the side of
Austria in the present conhagration.
The new position of the powers is,
therefore, for all practical purposes,
Germany and Austria against Eng
land. France and Russia. with Italy
holding sympathetic tendency toward
the latter group. This obviously
means an overwhelming preponderancc
against the Germanic forces which
might result at least in a serious
check to the economic program of ex-
pansion which has characterized Ger
many in the last nifty years