Yesterday, in the late afternoon, the German Ambassador [Baron
von Schoen] spoke to me of the military measures which the
Government of the republic were taking, adding that France was
able to act in this way, but that in Germany preparations could
not be secret and that French opinion should not be alarmed if
Germany decided on them.

"I answered that the French Government had not taken any step
which could give their neighbors any cause for disquietude, and
that their wish to lend themselves to any negotiations for the
purpose of maintaining peace could not be doubted."

Ambassador Paleologue reported from St. Petersburg that, in
deference to the desire of M. Viviani, no pretext be offered Germany
for general mobilization, the Russian General Staff had suspended
all measures of military precaution.

"Yesterday the chief of the staff sent for the Military Attache
of the German Embassy and gave him his word of honor that the
mobilization ordered this morning was exclusively directed
against Austria.

"Nevertheless, from an interview which he had this afternoon with
Count Pourtales [German Ambassador], M. Sazonof was forced to the
conclusion that Germany does not wish to pronounce at Vienna the
decisive word which would safeguard peace. The Emperor Nicholas
has received the same impression from an exchange of telegrams
which he has just had personally with the Emperor William.

"Moreover, the Russian General Staff and Admiralty have received
disquieting information concerning the preparations of the German
army and navy.

"In giving me this information Mr. Sazonof added that the Russian
Government are continuing none the less their efforts toward
conciliation. He repeated to me: 'I shall continue to negotiate
until the last moment.'"

Ambassador Jules Cambon reported from Berlin of the official recall
of the press announcement of German mobilization, but added that his
apprehension of the plans of Germany was not diminished thereby.

"It seems certain that the Extraordinary Council held yesterday
evening at Potsdam with the military authorities under the
presidency of the emperor decided on mobilization, and this
explains the preparation of the special edition of the 'Lokal
Anzeiger,' but that from various causes (the declaration of Great
Britain that sh