have the conflict investigated by a conference of the four great powers
not immediately concerned.

Russian Sincerity Questioned.

The conference plan was declined without much hesitation and openly by
Germany, because it was compelled to see therein an attempt to place
Austria before a European court of arbitration, and because it knew the
serious determination of its ally in this matter. But did Russia really
want the conference? Minister Sazonof declares:

I replied to the [British] Ambassador that I have begun
conversations with the Austro-Hungarian Ambassador, under
conditions which I hope may be favorable. I have not, however,
received as yet any reply to the proposal made by me for revising
the note between the two Cabinets.--(British "White Paper" No.
53.)

Here it is shown plainly how little the conference plan was after the
heart of the Russians. Had they accepted it it would have had to be done
immediately. As soon as the situation had grown very much more serious
by the failure of the negotiations with Austria-Hungary there would have
been no more time for this.[03]

A telegram of the English Ambassador in St. Petersburg, dated July 27,
(British "White Paper" No. 55,) shows how this conference was expected
to be conducted in St. Petersburg:

His Excellency [Sazonof] said he was perfectly ready to stand aside
if the powers accepted the proposal for a conference, but he