German Government to order their
release.

"The effect on public opinion here will be deplorable unless this
is done. His majesty's Government, on their side, are most
anxious to avoid any incident of an aggressive nature, and the
German Government will, I hope, be equally careful not to take
any step which would make the situation between us impossible."

Later Grey telegraphed Goschen that he still believed it possible to
secure peace if a little respite could be gained before any great
power began war. Russia and Austria had at last agreed to accept a
basis of mediation which is not open to objections raised to the
original Russian formula.

"Things ought not to be hopeless so long as Austria and Russia
are ready to converse, and I hope the German Government may be
able to make use of the Russian communications referred to, in
order to avoid tension. His majesty's Government are carefully
abstaining from any act which may precipitate matters."

In following telegrams Grey sent Goschen the Russian formula as
amended by himself, and the acceptance of the same by Russia.

Ambassador Bertie telegraphed from Paris information received from
President Poincare of German mobilization, etc., and Russia's desire
to continue pacific conversations with Germany.

"The French Government, whose wishes are markedly pacific,
sincerely desire the preservation of peace and do not quite
despair, even now, of its being possible to avoid war."

Grey telegraphed to Ambassador Buchanan at St. Petersburg that
reliable news had come from Vienna that the Austro-Hungarian
Government,

"though the situation has been changed by the mobilization of
Russia, would, in full appreciation of the efforts of England for
the preservation of peace, be ready to consider favorably my
proposal for mediation between Austria and Serbia. The effect of
this acceptance would naturally be that the Austrian military
action against Serbia would continue for the present, and that
the British Government would urge upon Russian Government to stop
the mobilization of troops directed against Austria, in which
case Austria would naturally cancel those defensive military
countermeasures in Galicia, which have been forced upon Austria
by Russian mobilization.

"You should inform Minister for Foreign Affairs [M. Sazonof] and
say that if