preparations of Austria. I hope with all my heart that these
measures will not influence in any manner your position as
mediator, which I appraise very highly. We need your strong
pressure upon Austria so that an understanding can be arrived at
with us."

Prince Henry of Prussia, brother of the Kaiser, telegraphed to the
King of Great Britain from Berlin:

"I arrived here yesterday and have communicated what you were so
good as to say to me at Buckingham Palace last Sunday to William,
who was very thankful to receive your message.

"William, who is very anxious, is doing his utmost to comply with
the request of Nicholas to work for the maintenance of peace. He
is in continual telegraphic communication with Nicholas, who has
to-day confirmed the news that he has ordered military measures
which amount to mobilization, and that these measures were taken
five days ago.

"We have also received information that France is making military
preparations while we have not taken measures of any kind, but
may be obliged to do so at any moment if our neighbors continue
their preparations. This would then mean a European war.

"If you seriously and earnestly desire to prevent this terrible
misfortune, may I propose to you to use your influence on France
and also on Russia that they should remain neutral. In my view
this would be of the greatest use. I consider that this is a
certain and, perhaps, the only possible way of maintaining the
peace of Europe. I might add that Germany and England should now
more than ever give each other mutual support in order to prevent
a terrible disaster, which otherwise appears inevitable.

"Believe me that William is inspired by the greatest sincerity in
his efforts for the maintenance of peace. But the military
preparations of his two neighbors may end in compelling him to
follow their example for the safety of his own country, which
otherwise would remain defenseless."

George V replied:

"I am very glad to hear of William's efforts to act with Nicholas
for the maintenance of peace. I earnestly desire that such a
misfortune as a European war--the evil of which could not be
remedied--may be prevented. My Government is doing the utmost
possible in order to induce Russia and France to postpone further
military pr