Late morning: Grey sees Lichnowsky. He tells him he thinks the Serbian reply agrees with the Austro-Hungarian demands “to an extent such as he would never have believed possible”. It is the result of Russia’s conciliatory influence at Belgrade. Moderation is now needed in Vienna.
If Austria-Hungary now invades it proves it intended all along to crush Serbia. This is a challenge to Russia and it will lead to the most terrible war Europe has ever seen.
Grey thinks that Germany can settle the matter and he appeals to Germany to use its influence in Vienna to have the Serbian reply regarded either as satisfactory or as a basis for negotiation. This is Britain’s third mediation proposal. [More]