Page:The guilt of William Hohenzollern.djvu/113

 CHAPTER XII THE ULTIMATUM TO SERBIA

THE DELIVERY OF THE NOTE

July 23rd the Austrian Note was delivered in Belgrade. It was, in reality, an Ultimatum requiring the unconditional acceptance of Austria's demands within forty-eight hours. The Austrian Minister in Belgrade, Baron von Giesl, had accordingly characterized the Note as an "Ultimatum" in a telegram to Belgrade, whereupon he was informed it was only a "time-limited démarche," as its rejection was not to be answered by an immediate declaration of war, but at first only by the breaking off of diplomatic relations. With such petty splitting of hairs the State wiseacres of the Ballplatz hoped to keep up in Europe for a few days longer the appearance of their peaceful intentions.

On July 24th the Note was to be handed to the Powers, on the 25th Serbia had to reply. This indecent haste, after such long hesitation, was purposely demanded, so as to make it impossible for Serbia to confer with the Powers, or for the Powers to confer with one another, and in order to preclude all intervention.

Germany at once made haste to assure all the world, and also her own representatives abroad, that she had no knowledge of the Note, and had not influenced it in Rh