Morning: Berchtold can now respond to the German pressure for military action and declare war on Serbia. He has in mind the reports from St Petersburg that Sazonov recognises Austria-Hungary has legitimate claims to make on Serbia and Russia will only mobilise if and when Austria-Hungary assumes a hostile attitude towards Russia.
He also wants to pre-empt Grey’s mediation proposals and Sazonov’s desire for direct talks. A draft declaration of war with Serbia is forwarded to the Emperor at Bad Ischl.