France, Monday, 27th July

Baltic Sea The Presidential party agrees to return to Paris as quickly as possible. The journey will take two days.

Baltic Sea They hear of Paléologue's message to Paris that Russia has decided to order partial mobilisation if Austria-Hungary threatens Serbia with military force and secret military preparations are underway.
Up to this point Poincaré did not realise that any military measures were underway.
If mobilisation is ordered troops will concentrate on the border with Austria-Hungary but will not take the offensive so as not to give Germany the reason to come to the aid of Austria-Hungary. [More]

Baltic Sea, midday Viviani wires instructions to Paléologue which ask him to tell Sazonov that France ".... is ready, in the interests of the general peace, whole heartedly to second the action of the Imperial Government".
Viviani's words "in the interest of general peace" indicate he is aware of the risks inherent in Poincare's policy of firmness.

Paris Bertie writes to Grey. He is sure the French government does not want to fight and they should be encouraged to put pressure on the Russians not to assume the obsolete attitude of defender of all Slav states. It will lead to war.

Paris Izvolsky returns to Paris. He sends a telegram to St Petersburg saying Bienvenu-Martin and his colleagues understand the situation and are determined to give Russia full support and avoid the slightest hint of a difference of opinion.
Later he gets a telegram from Sazonov who is concerned with what Bienvenu-Martin said to Schoen on the 26 July about a moderating influence at St Petersburg. Sazonov rejects this as Russia has already met all acceptable demands on the part of Austria.

Paris Szécsen calls on Bienvenu-Martin with the official Austro-Hungarian explanation of its reaction to the Serbian reply. Austria-Hungary has to take strong measures. In response to Bienvenu-Martin's question he admits there might be a declaration of war, or the crossing of the frontier. He wires Vienna saying that the Austro-Hungarian attitude is giving the impression "that we want war at any price".

Paris The French cabinet agrees further precautionary military measures including the recall of troops from Algeria and Morocco and full protection of railways.

Paris The French military urge their counterparts in St Petersburg that if hostilities break out to immediately take the offensive in East Prussia despite the slowness of Russian mobilisation.
A Russian attack in the east will draw German forces away from the expected big German attack against France in the west. They know German military strategy is to first defeat France then to turn on the slower mobilising Russians. [More]