Germany, who, at the same time, was overflowing with protestations of peace.
Austria rejected all mediation proposals that were made, none of which emanated from Germany. The latter was satisfied with simply transmitting the proposals of others, or else refusing them at the very outset as incompatible with Austria's independence. Even the most urgent questioning could not lure a proposal from her, whilst England and Russia vied with each other in trying to find a way out of the muddle.
Prince Lichnowsky has described the situation very well:
"It had, of course, needed but a hint from Berlin to induce Count Berchtold to be satisfied with a diplomatic success, and to be reassured with the Serbian reply. But this hint was not given. On the contrary, the war was urged on. It would have been too fine an achievement! ...
"The impression is becoming more and more firmly established that we wanted the war in any circumstances. No other interpretation could be placed upon our attitude in a question that did not concern us directly at all. The earnest pleadings and definite declarations of M. Sasonow, later on the positively humble telegrams of the Tsar, Sir Edward Grey's repeated proposals, the warnings of the Marquis San Giuliano and Signor Bollati, my urgent advice—all were useless; Berlin stuck to her resolution: Serbia must be massacred." (Pages 29, 30.)
The Tsar's telegrams may, indeed, be called "humble." He virtually implored that he should be
