Holding your breath—July 30

On July 30, it seemed that everyone was holding their breath. No one wanted to be the first to declare war. But the Kaiser could not persuade his staff to cancel partial mobilization, because to do so would throw the whole process into chaos and leave Germany open to attack. At four in the afternoon the Tsar signed the order for full mobilization.

Even this late, it was still possible to stop, but no one seemed to have the will. Everyone had something to gain from a short war, Austria could crush Serbia, Russia could finish Austria and support Slavs everywhere, Germany could establish herself as the dominant power in Europe and increase her Empire, and France could get back the lost provinces of Alsace and Lorraine. Britain still hoped she could sit back and watch.