est the excited state of public opinion in Austria-Hungary
may induce the Austro-Hungarian Government to make a _demarche_
which may humiliate the dignity of Serbia as a state, and to put
forward demands which could not be accepted.

"I have the honor, therefore, to request you to impress upon the
Government to which you are accredited our desire to maintain
friendly relations with Austria-Hungary, and to suppress every
attempt directed against the peace and public safety of the
neighboring monarchy. We will likewise meet the wishes of the
Austro-Hungarian Empire in the event of our being requested to
subject to trial in our independent courts any accomplices in the
outrage who are in Serbia--should such, of course, exist.

"But we can never comply with demands which may be directed
against the dignity of Serbia, and which would be inacceptable to
any country which respects and maintains its independence.

"Actuated by the desire that good neighborly relations may be
firmly established and maintained, we beg the friendly
Governments to take note of these declarations and to act in a
conciliatory sense should occasion or necessity arise."

ATTEMPTS AT MEDIATION

With Serbia's case now fully before the courts of Europe, there
began a movement among the powers desiring to keep the peace of the
continent for mediation between the disputants. This was begun by
Germany and Great Britain.

On July 20, 1914, Sir Edward Grey, British Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs, wrote to Sir Horace Rumbold, British Charge
d'Affaires at Berlin, recounting a conversation with the German
Ambassador, Prince Lichnowsky. The prince said that Austria was
certainly going to take some step in the Serbian matter; that the
situation was uncomfortable, and that it would be desirable if
Russia could act as a mediator with regard to Russia. Sir Edward
Grey presumed that the Austrian Government would not do anything
until they had first disclosed to the public their case against
Serbia, founded upon what they had discovered at the trial of the
Sarajevo assassins. This would make it easier for other powers, such
as Russia, to counsel moderation in Belgrade. The more reasonable
the demands of Austria, the easier it would be to smooth things
over.

"I hated the idea of a war between any of the great powers, and
that any of them should be