whenever he was in Alsace.  A united Germany did not exist prior to 1870.  However, the cry for revenge was there, and France distinctly declared it to be her policy to take her revenge as soon as opportunity offered.  France was, therefore, a pronounced enemy of Germany ever since 1870, and when asked by the German Government on July 31, 1914, whether she would remain neutral in a Russian-German war (Annex 25, German “White Paper”) she answered:  “France would do that which might be required of her by her interests.”  This answer was given on Aug. 1, 1914, (Annex 27, German “White Paper.”) Today we may well ask France whether, since Aug. 1, 1914, she has done that which was required by her interests.

Russia may next be looked at.  How did Russia become involved in this contest?  The little kingdom of Servia, which had familiarized itself with the fine art of disposing of crowned heads by throwing its King and Queen, Alexandra and Draga, out of the window of their castle, caused through its officials and its followers to have the heir to the Austrian throne and his wife cruelly assassinated on June 28, 1914.  This assassination was an act of enmity toward Austria and a step toward the enlargement of Servia.  Deeming her existence threatened and her national dignity offended, Austria sent a rather sharp demand under date of July 23, 1914, to Servia, requiring prompt and thorough satisfaction for the gross attack made upon her and her reigning family through Servia’s official directions.

Strange to say, however, the British “White Book” shows that three days before, on July 20, 1914, Sir Edward Grey, (Paper 1, British “White Book,”) wrote to Sir E. Goschen, British Ambassador at Berlin, a letter in which he states: 

In fact, the more Austria could keep her demand within reasonable limits, and the stronger the justification she could produce for making any demand, the more chance there would be of smoothing things over. I hated the idea of a war between any of the great powers, and that any of them should be dragged into a war by Servia would be detestable.

On July 24, 1914, the Austrian message to Servia became known to all countries, and on the same day Sir George Buchanan, British Ambassador at St. Petersburg, wrote that he had been asked by Mr. Sazonof, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, to meet him at the French Embassy to discuss matters, as Austria’s step clearly meant that war was imminent.  He wrote that Mr. Sazonof expressed himself as follows (British Paper 6): 

He hoped that his Majesty’s Government would not fail to proclaim their solidarity with Russia and France.  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 any diplomatic negotiations.

Later, on July 29, 1914, Sir George Buchanan wrote to Sir Edward Grey (Paper 72, English “White Book”) as follows: