war then already commenced against Servia_. If
the belligerents were expected to desist from military preparations,
should not the obligation be reciprocal?

Later that night the Kaiser again telegraphed the Czar:

My Ambassador has instructions to direct the attention of
Your Government to the dangers and serious consequences of a
mobilization; I have told You the same in my last telegram.
Austria-Hungary has mobilized only against Servia, and only
a part of her army. If Russia, as seems to be the case
according to Your advice and that of Your Government,
mobilizes against Austria-Hungary, the part of the mediator,
with which You have entrusted me in such friendly manner
and which I have accepted upon Your express desire, is
threatened if not made impossible. The entire weight of
decision now rests upon Your shoulders. You have to bear the
responsibility for war or peace.[63]

[Footnote 63: German _White Paper_, No. 23.]

To which the Czar replied as follows:

I thank You from my heart for Your quick reply. I am sending
to-night Tatisheff (Russian honorary aide to the Kaiser)
with instructions. The military measures now taking form
were decided upon five days ago, and for the reason of
defense against the 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._[64]

[Footnote 64: German _White Paper_, No. 23 A.]

Later the Czar again telegraphed the Kaiser:

I thank You cordially for Your mediation which permits the
hope that everything may yet end peaceably. It is
technically impossible to discontinue our military
preparations which have been made necessary by the Austrian
mobilization. It is far from us to want war. _As long as the
negotiations between Austria and Servia continue, my troops
will undertake no provocative action. I give You my solemn
word thereon._ I confide with all my faith in the grace of
God, and I hope for the success of Your mediation in Vienna
for the welfare of our countries and the peace of Europe.

What more could the Kaiser reasonably ask? Here was an assurance from
the ruler of a great nation, and his royal cousin, that on his "sol