Russia, Saturday, 1st August

Early afternoon The Tsar responds to the Kaiser's last message. He says "Understand you are obliged to mobilise but wish to have some guarantee from you that these measures do not mean war and that we shall continue negotiating for the benefit of our countries and universal peace" [N5].

7.00 P.M. Pourtalès calls on Sazonov and asks him whether the Russian Government is ready to give a favourable answer to the ultimatum presented the night before.
Sazonov replies in the negative and says Russia wants to continue talks.
Pourtalès asks him twice more but to no avail. He then hands over the German declaration of war. Pourtalès is in tears. The two men embrace and Pourtalès asks for his passports.

10.00 P.M., Peterhof Buchanan delivers King George's urgent message to the Tsar. Even if it would have had some influence it has come too late.
The Tsar replies reporting Germany's declaration of war and says he hopes Britain will support France and Russia in fighting to maintain the balance of power in Europe.
He also says that he was compelled to mobilise in consequence of Austria-Hungary's complete mobilisation. [This is wrong. Austria-Hungary had mobilised only against Serbia when Russia mobilised.]