One should think that Grey, who in view of this could not possibly
expect an influence for peace being brought to bear by France, but only
a strengthening of the Russian desire for aggression, now would have
acted in the most energetic manner in St. Petersburg for the maintenance
of peace.

In reality, however, during the days that still remained, aside from a
weak and in St. Petersburg absolutely ineffective advice to postpone
mobilization, he did nothing whatsoever, and later placed himself in a
manner constantly more recognizable on the side of Russia.

The claim that the time limit given by the Austrian note to Servia was
the cause of the war, that Grey's mediation had only miscarried owing to
the haste of Germany, is disproved by the British documents
themselves. De Bunsen on July 26 telegraphed to Grey from Vienna:

Russian Ambassador just returned from leave, thinks that
Austro-Hungarian Government are determined on war and that it is
impossible for Russia to remain indifferent. He does not propose to
press for more time in the sense of your telegram of the 25th
inst.--(British "White Paper" No. 40.)

Therefore Russia has paid little attention to the very shy and timid
efforts to maintain peace by the London Secretary of State, even where
these were concerned in the attempt to change the position taken by
Austria.

Another proof: Sazonof on July 27 sent a telegram to the Russian
Ambassador in London which the latter transmitted to Grey, and which
concerns itself with the much mentioned proposition of the latter to