It is true that the usages of everyday life do not always hold good in diplomatic dealings, but it is instructive to state the case in the terms of everyday affairs.  Mr. A. (Austria) informs Mr. B. (Serbia) that he has a quarrel to settle with him and states his demands.  Mr. C.  (Russia) who is a relation, patron and friend of B.’s, interferes to see fair play.  Whereupon Mr. D. (Germany), a friend and relation of A.’s, informs C. in unmistakable fashion that he must neither speak nor act in the affair or he will be immediately thrashed.  Messrs. A. and D. are unanimous in this view and repeat the threat in mutual form.  Meanwhile A. attacks B. Mr. C, seeing that they will not accord him a hearing, takes steps to compel them to hear him, at which point Mr. D. fulfils his threat and falls upon C.

It is not yet clear whether Austria would have permitted Russia to take over the role of adviser and second to Serbia in her unequal struggle with Austria.  But from the moment Germany appeared on the scene the situation becomes perfectly simple:  Russia has absolutely no right either to speak or move in the matter.  On this rock of immovable Germanic obstinacy the Russian ship of State, was intended to meet with diplomatic shipwreck.  Should Russia attempt to avoid this fate, then the German sword could be trusted to arrange matters in the way desired by Germany.

The German language contains a very expressive phrase, Stimmungsmacherei, which means creating or preparing a certain frame of mind.  How Germany’s public opinion was tuned to the war melody is seen by a study of the German newspapers published between July 25th and August 1st.  A great part of the German nation had welcomed Austria’s expressed determination to compel Serbia “to lick her shoes,” as a London paper put it at the time.  Only the Social Democratic Party persisted in asserting that Austria was the provocative and guilty party down to the evening of July 28th.

But three days earlier the process of educating public opinion against Russia commenced.  In fact, it required little tuning to arouse a national chorus, which was swelled subsequently by the Social Democratic voices, demanding that Russia too must bite the dust.

At the psychological moment the terms of the alliance between Germany and Austria were launched in the Press.  One paper[8] wrote:  “It is interesting at the present moment to call to mind how the treaty existing between Germany and Austria regulates the question of mutual support.”  Then the various paragraphs are cited, and the article concludes:  “That is to say:  (1.) Assuming Austria attacks Serbia, and Russia as a precautionary measure sends troops to the Austrian frontier without commencing hostilities against the latter, then Germany is under no obligation to intervene. (2.) Assuming that Serbia is the attacking party, and Russia gives her support by military measures which threaten Austria, then the German Empire must immediately assist the Hapsburg monarchy with the whole of her military forces.