impossible of acceptance as it stood, and that it was both
unusual and peremptory in its terms"?

To which the only reply of the Austrian Foreign Minister was that their
representative in Servia

"was under instructions to leave Belgrade unless Austrian
demands were accepted in their integrity by 4 P.M. tomorrow."

[English "White Paper," No. 7.]

Austria's only concession then or subsequently to the cause of peace was
the assurance that Austria would not _after its conquest_ of Servia
demand any territory.

The action of Germany on this day, July 24, is most significant. Its
Ambassador in England communicated a note to Sir Edward Grey in which it
justified Austro-Hungarian grievances and ultimatum by saying that

"under these circumstances the course of procedure and demands
of the Austro-Hungarian Government can only be regarded as
equitable and moderate."

The note added:

"The Imperial Government [Germany] want to emphasize their
opinion that in the present case there is only question of a
matter to be settled exclusively between Austria-Hungary and
Servia, and that the great powers ought seriously to endeavor
to reserve it to those two immediately concerned."