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If Russia 's sudden and responsible step met with anyfeeling at all in Sir Edward Grey's soul, he must be certainlya master in the art of self-control. In the Blue Book, atany rate, not the slightest trace can be found of any suchsentiment, no more than even the suggestion of a protest againstRussia 's destructive action. Neither is there any endeavour toinfluence Russia to suspend the mobilisation, or to give satisfactoryexplanations to Germany .

On the contrary, Grey made the hopeless attempt to keepthe negotiations going and to induce Germany to remaininactive, which was flatly refused by Germany . Secretary of Statevon Jagow declared to Sir Edward Goschen: Russia said that hermobilisation did not necessarily imply war for she could perfectlywell remain mobilised for months without making war; this wasnot the case with Germany. Germany had the advantage of speed,Russia of numbers, and the safety of the German Empire didnot permit Russia the time to bring on the masses of her troopsfrom all parts of her wide dominions. (Blue Book No. 138.)

Once the dice had been cast, Sir Edward Grey concentratedall his efforts upon playing the game in a way that an issuemight be found which would bring about England 's immediateparticipation in the war, an issue which would seem to justifythe war with Germany in the eyes of the still refractory groupof the English Cabinet and of English public opinion.

The Blue and Yellow Books, together, prove that since July 29 thSir Edward Grey, being morally bound to Paul Cambon bythe strongest possible ties, had no easy stand with the British Cabinet in his attempt to represent the mere implication of France in the war as an adequate reason for England 's active participation.M. Cambon's contention - which Grey had never opposed (seepage 36) - that a war in which both France and Germany wereinvolved meant also a fight for the hegemony of Europe whichcould not be viewed with equanimity by England , did not meetwith sufficient support in the English Cabinet.

The dilemma in which Grey found himself was increasedby very far-reaching guarantees which Germany had promised in theevent of England.remaining neutral. On the 29 th of July, when