On what date did Britain declare war on Germany following an " unsatisfactory reply " to the British ultimatum that Belgium must be kept neutral ?
We can not therefore reject the role of mediator ; we have to pass on the British proposal to Vienna for consideration , especially since London and Paris are continuously using their influence on St. Petersburg . ” In passing on Grey ’s message , Bethmann Hollweg deleted the last line which read : ” Also , the whole world here is convinced , and I hear from my colleagues that the key to the situation lies in Berlin , and that if Berlin seriously wants peace , it will prevent Vienna from following a foolhardy policy . ” In his reply to London , Bethmann Hollweg pretended that : “ We have immediately initiated mediation in Vienna in the sense desired by Sir Edward Grey . ” Jagow sent Grey ’s offer to Tschirschky , his ambassador in Vienna , but ordered him to not show it to any Austrian official in case they might accept it .