bilization of the above districts
amounts to a threat against Austria-Hungary, and that, therefore,
should these measures be carried out, they would be answered by
the most extensive military countermeasures, not only by the
[Dual] Monarchy but by our ally, the German Empire.

"In order to make it more easy for Russia to withdraw, it appears
to us appropriate that such a step should, in the first place, be
taken by Germany alone; nevertheless we are ready to take this
step in conjunction with Germany.

"Unambiguous language appears to me at the present moment to be
the most effective method of making Russia fully conscious of all
that is involved in a threatening attitude."

_Russia._ Consul General at Fiume telegraphed to M. Sazonof,
Minister for Foreign Affairs at St. Petersburg, that a state of
siege had been proclaimed in Slavonia, in Croatia, and at Fiume, and
reservists of all classes called out.

M. Broniewsky, Charge d'Affaires at Berlin, telegraphed M. Sazonof
that the local papers had not published _in extenso_ the Serbian
reply, evidently being well aware of the calming effect it would
have on German readers.

M. Schebeko, Ambassador at Vienna, telegraphed that the
Austro-Hungarian order for general mobilization had been signed.

M. Sazonof telegraphed the ambassadors at London, Paris, Berlin,
Vienna, and Rome:

"In face of the hostilities between Austria-Hungary and Serbia,
it is necessary that Great Britain should take instant mediatory
action, and that the military measures undertaken by Austria
against Serbia should be immediately suspended. Otherwise
mediation will only serve as an excuse to make the question drag
on, and will meanwhile make it possible for Austria to crush
Serbia completely and to acquire a dominant position in the
Balkans."

_Germany._ The Chancellor, Dr. von Bethmann-Hollweg, confidentially
reported to the Government of Germany that the evidence presented by
Austria-Hungary was conclusive of the complicity in the crime of
Sarajevo of members of the Serbian Government and army, and the
existence of organized Serb propaganda against the Dual Monarchy.
Austria-Hungary therefore was justified in her action as well as
demands against Serbia.

The Chancellor telegraphed to Count Pourtales, Ambassador at St.
Petersburg:

"We continue in our endeavor to induce Vienna to elucidate