The Respective Parts Played by Germany, Austria, Russia, and France While The Diplomatic Conversations Were Proceeding

France was not at all prepared for war, nor, indeed, was Russia, who was endeavouring to extend her inadequate railway system, but whose improvements to this end were still on paper. Consequently neither of these countries could possibly wish for a conflict; and I must repeat that it was the very conviction that they would not engage in hostilities which made Austria take such a stubborn stand.