agreement with her view of the situation and to assure her
that any action that she might consider it necessary to take
in order to put an end to the movement in Servia directed
against the existence of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy
would receive our approval._ We were fully aware in this
connection that warlike moves on the part of Austria-Hungary
against Servia would bring Russia into the question and
might draw us into a war in accordance with our duties as an
Ally.

Sir M. de Bunsen's credible testimony is further confirmed by the fact
that the British Ambassador at Berlin in his letter of July 22d, to
Sir Edward Grey, states that _on the preceding night_ (July 21st) he
had met the German Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and an
allusion was made to a possible action by Austria.

His Excellency was evidently of opinion that this step on
Austria's part would have been made ere this. He insisted
that the question at issue was one for settlement between
Servia and Austria alone, and that there should be no
interference from outside in the discussions between those
two countries.

He[8] adds that while he had regarded it as inadvisable that his
country should approach Austria in the matter, he had

[Footnote 8: von Jagow.]

on several occasions, in conversation with the Servian
Minister, emphasized the extreme importance that
Austro-Servian relations should be put on a proper
footing.[9]

[Footnote 9: English _White Paper_, No. 2.]

Here we have the first statement of Germany's position in the matter,
a position which subsequent events showed to be entirely untenable,
but to which it tenaciously adhered to the very end, and which did
much to precipitate the war. Forgetful of the solidarity of European
civilization, and the fact that by policy and diplomatic intercourse
continuing through many centuries a united European State exists, even
though its organization be as yet inchoate, he took the ground that
Austria should be permitted to proceed to aggressive measures against
Servia without interference from any other Power, even though, as was
inevitable, the humiliation of Servia would destroy the status of
the Balkan States and threaten the European balance of power. The
inconsistency between Germany's claim that it could give Austria a
_carte blanche_ to proceed against Servia and agree to support its
action