Bethmann, therefore, asked for the view of the Admiralty Staff. The latter answered on July 22nd, that in the event of England declaring war, "an attack upon our Fleet by the English Navy was to be counted upon with certainty."
Jagow sent a reassuring telegram to the Imperial Chancellor, stating that England was quite peaceable and was allowing her Fleet, which had been assembled for manœuvres, to disperse.
On the 23rd the Imperial Chancellor then telegraphed to Count Wedel, the Austrian Note would be delivered "this afternoon," the Ultimatum would expire on the 25th, and that, for the time being, Germany would say the whole affair did not concern her.
"Only the intervention of other Powers would draw us into the conflict. It is not to be supposed that this will happen at once, or that England especially will immediately decide to intervene: the very fact that President Poincaré, leaving Kronstadt to-day, will visit Stockholm on the 25th, Copenhagen on the 27th and Christiania on the 26th, arriving at Dunkirk on the 31st, is likely to delay all decisions.
"English Fleet, according to Admiralty Staff reports, is to disperse on the 27th, and repair to home ports. Any premature recall of our Fleet might cause general uneasiness, and be regarded as suspicious, especially in England."
But William has no confidence in the maintenance of peace. On the 25th he gives the order to the Fleet to hold itself in readiness for immediate return home. Bethmann conjures the Kaiser to wait still. This
