Count Metternich thought this inadequate, and had another try at
a formula. Finally, after a good deal of discussion, Sir Edward Grey proposed the following :—
"The two Powers being mutually desirous of securing peace and friendship between them, England declares that she will neither make, nor join in, any unprovoked attack upon Germany. Aggression upon Germany is not the subject, and forms no part, of any treaty, understanding, or combination to which England is now a party, nor will she become a party to anything that has such an object."
The Germans, however, would not have this plain statement, . which obviously would not have sterilized us as supporters of Russia or France if attacked by Germany and Austria, and accordingly the negotiations came to an end. To put the mutter quite crudely, the Germans "tried it on" diplo- matically and
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