How, on the other hand, about Grey’s action with Russia?  From the very beginning one should have had a right to expect that, as Germany acted in Vienna, thus France, if it was active in Grey’s spirit, would be working in St. Petersburg for peace.  Of this no trace whatsoever can be found.  The French Government thus far has not published any series of documents concerning its activity during the crisis, and neither in the Russian “Orange Book” nor in the English “Blue Book” is anything mentioned of the mediating activity on the part of France.

On the contrary, the latter power, wherever she puts in an appearance—­as for instance in the conversation of the English Ambassador in St. Petersburg with his French colleague and M. Sazonof, as mentioned above—­appears as fully identical with Russia.

It is also stated on July 24: 

The French Ambassador gave me to understand that France would fulfill all the obligations entailed by her alliance with Russia if necessity arose, besides supporting Russia strongly in all diplomatic negotiations....  It seems to me from the language held, by French Ambassador that even if we decline to join them, France and Russia are determined to make a strong stand.—­(British “White Paper” No. 6.)

One should think that Grey, who in view of this could not possibly expect an influence for peace being brought to bear by France, but only a strengthening of the Russian desire for aggression, now would have acted in the most energetic manner in St. Petersburg for the maintenance of peace.

In reality, however, during the days that still remained, aside from a weak and in St. Petersburg absolutely ineffective advice to postpone mobilization, he did nothing whatsoever, and later placed himself in a manner constantly more recognizable on the side of Russia.

The claim that the time limit given by the Austrian note to Servia was the cause of the war, that Grey’s mediation had only miscarried owing to the haste of Germany, is disproved by the British documents themselves.  De Bunsen on July 26 telegraphed to Grey from Vienna: 

Russian Ambassador just returned from leave, thinks that Austro-Hungarian Government are determined on war and that it is impossible for Russia to remain indifferent.  He does not propose to press for more time in the sense of your telegram of the 25th inst.—­(British “White Paper” No. 40.)

Therefore Russia has paid little attention to the very shy and timid efforts to maintain peace by the London Secretary of State, even where these were concerned in the attempt to change the position taken by Austria.

Another proof:  Sazonof on July 27 sent a telegram to the Russian Ambassador in London which the latter transmitted to Grey, and which concerns itself with the much mentioned proposition of the latter to have the conflict investigated by a conference of the four great powers not immediately concerned.