The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-05-02

eFa that considered IL neces-
sary TO give an urgent warning. But also
gave q warning against the whole project, which
I described as adventurous and dangerous, and
advised that moderation should be recommend
in the localiYation OF the conflict
Jageyw Would "Riah It" e..
Herr Won Jagow answered me that Russia
tain amount am Of buster but the more 9 Rs 09 we
stood by Austria the more would Russia draw
back He said that Austria was already accus-
ing US OF want OF spirit, and that We should not
squeeze her. On the other hand. feeling In Rus
STA was becoming ever more anti-GerHan. and
so we must simply risk it.
This attitude, as / learned later was based
upon reports from Count Pourtales German
ambassador in Petrograd> to the effect that
Russia would not move in any circumstances;
these reports caused us TO stimulate Count
Berchtold to the greatest possible energy Con-
sequently hoped for salvation from English
mediation, because knew Sir Edward Grey's
influence In Petrograd could be turned to use
N tIod rsYoE Of psaGs SO 70 used my friendly rea
begged him to advise moderation In Russia II
Austria austria as It seemed. demanded satisfaction
"At first the attitude Of the English press was
calm and friendly to the Austrians because the
murder was condemned But gradually more
and more voices were heard to insist that how
ever necessary the punishment of the crime an
exploitation of the crime for political purposes
urged to show moderation. r...-
when the ultinatun appeared all the news
papers. with the exception OF The Standard,
which was always in low water and apparently
was paid by the Austrians. were at one in their
condemnation. The whole world, except in Berlin
indeed world-war. The British fleet, which
CHANGED to be assembled for review, was not
demobilized.
"At first pressed for as conciIiatory an an
swer as possible the part of Serbia since the
attitude Of the Russian government left no fur
ther doubt of the seriousness of the situation.
1.-THE Serbian reply was in accordance with
British efforts M. Pashitch had actually accept
ed everything, except two points, about which
20 T1no infn pTyue
and England had wanted war, in order to fall
upon IEss = us, hint to Belgrade would have been
would have remained unanswered.
Sir Edward Grey's Proposal.
Sir Edward Grey went through the Serbian
reply with me- and pointed to the conciliatory
then discussed his mediation proposal which
was to arrange an Interpretation of the two
(French ambassador in London) the Marquis
lmperiali Qtalian ambassador in L,ondon) and
should have met under Sir Edward Grey's presi-
dency, and 1t would have been easy to hnd an
acceptable form for the disputed points, which
In the main concerned the participation OF Aus
trian officials in the investigation at Belgrade
settled in one or two sittings, ana. the mere ac-
ceptance Of the British proposal would have
Improved our relations to England. I urgently
recommended the proposal, saying that other
wise world war was imminent, in which we had
to lose and nothing to gain In
vain! was told that it was against the dig
nifty or Austria, and that did not want to
Interfere in the Serbian business but left it TO
our ally: was told to work for Iocaiization, of
the conflict
"of course, 1t would only have needed a hint
from Berlin to make Count Berchtold satisfy
himself with a diplomatic success and put up
with the Serbian reply. But this hint was not
given. On the contrary, pressed for war.
What q fine success it would have been
After our refusal Sir Edward asked us to
come forward with a proposal of our own. We
insisted upon war. could get no other answer
(from Bern)' than that 1t was an enormous
concession on the part of Austria to contena-
plate no annexation of territory.
"Thereupon Sir Edward justly pointed out
that even without annexations of territory a
country can be Inundated and subjected, and
that Russia would regard this as a humiliation
which she would not stand.
1.-THE impression became ever stronger that
We desired war in all circumstances Other
did not directly concern us was uninteligible.
The urgent appeals and definite declarations of
M. Sazonoff CRussian foreign minister) later on
the positively humble kilograms of the czar, the
repeated proposals of Sir Edward, the warnings 4
81 San Giuliano CItaIian foreign nninister1 and
urgent advice-it was all of use, for Berlin
went insisting that Serbia must be nassa-
cred.
"The more pressed, the less willing they were
to alter their course if only because was not
to have the success of saving peace in the COM
pany of Sir Edward Grey.
$50 Grey on July 20 resolved upon his we'll
known warning. / replied that / had always
reported that we should have to reckon upon
English hostility il 1t came to war with France
breaks out 1t will be the greatest catastrophe
the world has ever SEEN.
Next installment to be published tomorrow
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