No news has yet been received as to bow the
Servian Govern- ment intend to meet this very menacing document, or what the Austrians propose to do if the Servians turn stubborn and refuse to make reply within the prescribed time. We can only hope that wise counsels will prevail, and that, owing possibly to the intervention of Russia or some other Power, an accom- modation consistent with the honour of the smaller State may be reached. Austria-Hungary, however, cannot be said to have made this easier by the tone of menace which she has adopted. In our leading article we have assumed that Austria- Hungary will not in the last resort have recourse to armed action because she must realize the extreme danger of such a course. We are bound to say that the presentation of the Note we have described would seem to negative our argument. We shall, however, let it stand, for we still cannot believe that Austria-Hungary means to run the risk of provoking "the great war."
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