Page:The guilt of William Hohenzollern.djvu/206

 CHAPTER XVII THE DECLARATION OF WAR ON RUSSIA

THE PREPARATION FOR THE DECLARATION OF WAR

general perplexity was clearly seen in the declaration of war on Russia. The latter had ordered general mobilization at the same time as Austria, on the morning of July 3ist. Both had stated it was only a measure of precaution and did not yet mean war. Negotiations were not thereby to be broken off.

For example, the Russian Ambassador in Vienna reported to St. Petersburg on July 3ist:

""In spite of the general mobilization, I am continuing the exchange of views with Count Berchtold and his assistants.""

That Germany should mobilize in her turn after the Russian mobilization was quite intelligible. Every one was then mobilizing—even Holland. If Germany had regarded mobilization simply as a precautionary measure, as did all other nations—even France—there would be nothing to condemn in this step.

Schön, the German Ambassador in Paris, reported to Berlin on August 1st:

"The Premier told me that the mobilization just ordered here does not at all imply aggressive Rh