to
that the Austro-Serbian stay the advance of her
question has troops on Serbian territory,
assumed the character and if, recognizing
of a European question, that the Austro-Serbian
declares herself ready to dispute has assumed the
eliminate from her ultimatum character of a question
the points which of European interest, she
infringe the sovereign admits that the Great
rights of Serbia, Russia Powers shall examine
engages to stop her the satisfaction which
military preparations." Serbia might give to
(Russian Orange Book, the Austro--Hungarian
No. 60.) Government without
affecting her sovereign
rights and independence,
Russia undertakes
to maintain her waiting
attitude." (French
Yellow Book, No. 113.)

Oncken, in making this comparison, comments: "It is most remarkable that
the original formula chosen by Sasonow had been peremptorily sharpened
(_einschneidend verschaerft_) on July 31st at the request of the British
Ambassador. This interference by England in the formulation of the
proposal must arouse the gravest doubt regarding the peaceful tendencies
of England's policy. Sasonow had every reason to thank Grey 'for the
firm, amicable tone which he has employed in his pourparlers with
Germany and Austria.'"[206]

[Footnote 206: "Deutschland und der Weltkrieg," p. 553. Oncken's
quotation in the last lines taken from the Russian Orange Book, No. 69.]

Sir Edward Grey had proposed five days earlier (July 26th) that all
military measures should cease pending a settlement. Hence the
introduction of this clause is not a new demand. Moreover, in the
meantime Russia and Germany--in spite of the latter's denial--had
commenced to mobilize; Austria had mobilized and commenced hostilities
against Serbia. Thus there were far more urgent reasons to include the
cessation of military measures on July 31st than before. Lastly, it was
the only acceptable pledge of Austrian sincerity which Russia could
accept. Whether the formula would have met with Austria's approval
cannot be determined, for Austria was saved from what Oncken terms
"complete submission" by Germany's ultimatum to Russia