were
given not to Austria, but to the Powers.

_If Servia 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 Servia might propose to
submit the question to arbitration._

Pursuant to this policy of conciliation Sir Edward Grey in direct
communication with the Servian Minister at London, Mr. Crackenthorpe,
the British Ambassador at Belgrade, in direct communication with the
Servian Foreign Ministry, and Sazonof in interviews with the Servian
Minister at St. Petersburg, all brought direct influence upon Servia
to make a conciliatory reply.

Thus Sir Edward Grey instructed Crackenthorpe:

Servia ought to promise that if it is proved that Servian
officials, however subordinate they may be, were accomplices
in the murder of the Archduke at Serajevo, she will give
Austria the fullest satisfaction. She certainly ought to
express concern and regret. For the rest, Servian Government
must reply to Austrian demands as they consider best in
Servian interests.

It is impossible to say whether military action by Austria
when time limit expires can be averted by anything but
unconditional acceptance of her demands, but only chance
appears to lie in avoiding an absolute refusal and replying
favorably to as many points as the time limit allows....

I have urged upon the German Ambassador that Austria should
not precipitate military action.[22]

[Footnote 22: English _White Paper_, No. 12.]

In response to these suggestions, Mr. Crackenthorpe communicated Sir
Edward Grey's pacific suggestions to the Servian Minister and received
the following reply, as reported in Crackenthorpe's report to Sir
Edward Grey, dated July 25th.

The Council of Ministers is now drawing up their reply to
the Austrian note. I am informed by the Under Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs that it will be most conciliatory
and will meet the Austrian demands in as large a measure as
is possible....

The Servian Government consider that, unless the Austrian
Government want war at any cost, they cannot but be content
with the full satisfaction offered in the Servian reply.[23]

[Footnote 23: English _White Paper_, No. 21.]

These pacific suggestions to Servia met with complete su