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and Russia , a freedom which alone would have qualified him forthe desired part of the middle-man and arbitrator — a rôle towhich he had aspired before and again in the conflict with Servia.Apart from this and presuming the sincerity of his own intentions,he found himself in a difficult position towards his ministerialcolleagues whose attitude, through the resignation of three adherentsof peace, was by no means unanimous.

At first, Sir Edward Grey offered some resistance to Russia 'sand France's pressure for an immediate proclamation of solidarity.He thoroughly approved Buchanan 's declarations to Sazonof ofthe 24 th of July, the most important of which was that England could hardly undertake unconditional obligations to support Russia and France by force of arms, as English public opinion wouldnever sanction a war on behalf of Servia (Blue Book No. 6).Indeed, on the 25 th of July Sir Edward Grey expressly states:

"I do not consider that public opinion here would"or ought to sanction our going to war over a Servian"quarrel." (Blue Book No. 24.)

This attitude of England created a most painful impressionat St. Petersburgh and Paris as the tone of the newspapers ofthose days clearly shows, though the official documents are silenton the point.

Russian and French diplomacy tried to influence Sir EdwardGrey by warning of the danger if Germany could safely countupon the non-intervention of England. While as soon as England decided to go with Russia and France, Germany would bringpressure to bear upon Austria-Hungary , and all danger of warwould be removed (Blue Book No. 17). Sir George Buchanan on the 27 th of July gave M. Sazonof the proper answer. HisExcellency was mistaken, he said, if he believed that by suchproceeding the cause of peace could be promoted. "Their (theGerman) attitude would "merely be stiffened by such a menace".(Blue Book No. 44.)

While the English Ambassador was merely stating theincontestible fact that an English menace would not only fail inits aim but aggravate the crisis, London was beginning to yieldto French and Russian pressure.