6o CHRONOLOGICAL SKETCH OF CRISIS

July 25, the Servian Government replied to the Austrian
note, conceding part of the Austrian demands, and announcing its readiness to accept, on the other points,
the arbitration of the Hague Tribunal or of the Great
Powers. The Austrian Government found the S ervian
note unsatisfactory, and criticized its details in an official
memorandum.1 The Austro-Hungarian Minister left
Belgrade on July 25; on July 26 a part of the AustroHungarian army was mobilized; and on July 28 AustriaHungary declared war on Servia.
Sir Edward Grey had from the first declined to
'announce England's solidarity, with Russia and France
on the Servian question. On and after July 26 he was
taking active steps to bring about the mediation, between
Austria-Hungary and Servia, of four Powers (Italy,
Germany, France, England). To this mediation Russia
had already agreed, July 25 ; and Italy and F ranee were
ready to co-operate with England. 2 Germany, however,
made difficulties on the ground that anything like formal
intervention would be impracticable, unless both Austria
and Russia consented to it.3 Russia had already (] uly
25) prepared the ukase ordering mobilization,' but had
not yet issued it; on ] uly 27 the Russian Foreign
Minister announced his readiness to make the S ervian
question the subject of direct conversations with Vienna."
This offer was at first declined by the Austro-H ungarian
Government, but subsequently accepted; and conversations were actually in progress between the representatives of the two Powers as late as July 3r. 0
1 For text of Servian note see infra Appendix I (German White
Book, pp. 23-32). The Austrian comments also are given there.
' Correspondence, No. 42, Sir F. Bertie to Sir E. Grey, July 27;
ibid. No. 49, Sir E. Grey to Sir R. Rodd, July 27.
' Correspondence, No. 43. Sir E. Gosch en to Sir E . Grey, July 27.
• German White Book, p. ~ (infra in Appendix I). The T sar
to His Majesty, July 30.
' Corrtspondmce, No. 45. Sir G. Buchanan to Sir E. Grey.
' Austria declined conversations on July 28 (Carrespondeua,