ward. The Minister
for Foreign Affairs thought, from a conversation which he had
with the Serbian Minister [Dr. Spalaikovitch] yesterday, that, in
the event of the Austrians attacking Serbia, the Serbian
Government would abandon Belgrade, and withdraw their forces into
the interior, while they would at the same time appeal to the
powers to help them. His excellency was in favor of their making
this appeal. He would like to see the question placed on an
international footing, as the obligations taken by Serbia in
1908, to which reference is made in the Austrian ultimatum, were
given not to Austria, but to the powers.

"If Serbia should appeal to the powers, Russia would be quite
ready to stand aside and leave the question in the hands of
England, France, Germany, and Italy. It was possible, in his
opinion, that Serbia might propose to submit the question to
arbitration.

"On my expressing the earnest hope that Russia would not
precipitate war by mobilizing until you had had time to use your
influence in favor of peace, his excellency assured me that
Russia had no aggressive intentions, and she would take no action
until it was forced upon her. Austria's action was in reality
directed against Russia. She aimed at overthrowing the present
_status quo_ in the Balkans, and establishing her own hegemony
there. He did not believe that Germany really wanted war, but her
attitude was decided by ours. If we took our stand firmly with
France and Russia there would be no war. If we failed them now,
rivers of blood would flow, and we would in the end be dragged
into war.

"I said that England could play the role of mediator at Berlin
and Vienna to better purpose as friend who, if her counsels of
moderation were disregarded, might one day be converted into an
ally, than if she were to declare herself Russia's ally at once.
His excellency said that unfortunately Germany was convinced that
she could count upon our neutrality.

"I said all I could to impress prudence on the Minister for
Foreign Affairs, and warned him that if Russia mobilized, Germany
would not be content with mere mobilization, or give Russia time
to carry out hers, but would probably declare war at once. His
excellency replied that Russia could not allow Austria to crush