iam II:

"I thank you cordially for your mediation, which permits the hope
that everything may yet end peaceably. It is technically
impossible to discontinue our military preparations, which have
been made necessary by the Austrian mobilization. It is far from
us to want war. As long as the negotiations between Austria and
Serbia continue, my troops will undertake no provocative action.
I give you my solemn word thereon. I confide with all my faith in
the grace of God, and I hope for the success of your mediation in
Vienna for the welfare of our countries and the peace of Europe."

This telegram of the Czar crossed with the following sent by the
Kaiser, at 2 p. m.:

"Upon your appeal to my friendship and your request for my aid, I
have engaged in mediation between your Government and the
Government of Austria-Hungary. While this action was taking place
your troops were being mobilized against my ally,
Austria-Hungary, whereby, as I have already communicated to you,
my mediation has become almost illusory. In spite of this I have
continued it, and now I receive reliable news that serious
preparations for war are going on on my eastern frontier. The
responsibility for the security of my country forces me to
measures of defense. I have gone to the extreme limit of the
possible in my efforts for the preservation of the peace of the
world. It is not I who bear the responsibility for the misfortune
which now threatens the entire civilized world. It rests in your
hand to avert it. No one threatens the honor and peace of Russia
which might well have awaited the success of my mediation. The
friendship for you and your country, bequeathed to me by my
grandfather on his deathbed, has always been sacred to me, and I
have stood faithfully by Russia while it was in serious
affliction, especially during its last war. The peace of Europe
can still be preserved by you if Russia decides to discontinue
those military preparations which menace Germany and
Austria-Hungary."

_Germany._ Chancellor von Bethmann-Hollweg telegraphed to Ambassador
Von Flotow at Rome:

"We have continued to negotiate between Russia and
Austria-Hungary through a direct exchange of telegrams between
his Majesty the Kaiser and his Majesty the Czar, as well as in
conjunction with Sir Edwa