Announcements of mobilization on all sides (Switzerland, Holland, Belgium) doubtless added to the popular belief that Germany desired above all things—­peace.  Still, in spite of the warlike spirit of the nation and the burning desire to settle off Russia once and for all, there was an undercurrent of overstrained nervousness.  A Dresden paper of July 30th relates that between the hours of two and four on the preceding afternoon a Berlin newspaper had been asked thirty-seven different questions on the telephone relating to rumours of assassinations, mobilization, etc.

The process of inspiring national confidence, however, had by no means suffered through neglect.  France was represented as being unprepared and, together with England, desiring only peace.  As early as July 27th in the Taegliche Rundschau the public had been told that Italy, had officially declared herself ready and willing to stand by the Central Powers as an ally.

Even Japan was used to stiffen Teutonic courage.  The Deutscher Kurier told its readers in a telegram from New York (?) that Americans fully expected Japan to attack Russia in the back and Japanese ministers were holding conferences all day and night.  According to the Weser Zeitung, August 1st, Japan was arming for war, while the Muenchen-Augsburger Zeitung published details of an alliance concluded between Austria and Japan in Vienna on the afternoon of July 30th.  According to this source Japan had pledged herself to support Austria in case the latter was attacked by Russia, while Austria declared her absolute disinterestedness in the Far East.  On August 1st the Berliner Tageblatt repeated this legend; but advised its readers to exercise reserve in accepting it.

“During the evening (August 2nd) the news spread in the streets of Berlin that Japan was mobilizing and had already declared war on Russia.  Huge crowds flocked to the Japanese Embassy and spent hours in cheering Japan, Germany, and the Triple Alliance."[12]

[Footnote 12:  Der Montag, August 3rd.]

Meanwhile Russia, having failed to get her simple rights recognized and knowing that Germany had made extensive military preparations, decided on July 31st to mobilize her entire forces.  The German Ambassador immediately informed his Government of this step, and the Kaiser placed Germany under martial law.  On the same day the Emperor proceeded from Potsdam to the Imperial Palace in Berlin.

CHAPTER III

THE DOGS LET LOOSE

“Just after three o’clock a company, at war strength, from the ‘Alexander’ regiment marched under the command of a young lieutenant, down Unter den Linden.  Drums were beaten; a huge crowd listened in solemn silence as the lieutenant read the articles placing the German Empire under martial law.  The crowd was fully alive to the awful sternness of this historic moment.