When Diplomacy Fails

The July Crisis Anniversary Project

A day-by-day account of the events that occurred 100 years ago.

Exploration and mobilization.

Today is the 25th of July 2014,

and on this day in history 100 years ago,

occurred the following events.

The swampy heat of St. Petersburg smothered its residents

as they gathered on the morning of the 25th of July to witness the annual Summer Review Parade.

The idea had been to scheduled before the worst of the heat, but events had postponed it to the hottest period of the day.

The reason for this was that Russia's VIPs were all preoccupied, attending as they were a Council of Ministers meeting, this time presided over by the Tsar in his nearby residence.

The intention of the meeting had been to impress upon the Tsar the seriousness of the situation, and to get his approval for the decisions reached at the Council of Ministers' meeting the previous day, or Russia's response to Austria-Hungary's ultimatum was formulated.

Sir Nicholas II did not disappoint those present.

He approved the partial mobilization against Austria alone, a move which showed Russia still

at least aimed to exclude Germany from the expected

conflict with Austria. Though it was to go on in private, mobilization would not be announced

publicly until Austria attacked Serbia, an action which was judged to happen soon, considering

the fact that its ultimatum de Belgrade would expire within a few hours by 6 p.m. today.

In addition to the mobilization, Nicholas also approved further war measures.

Soldiers were to be sent to their standing quarters, get kidded up, and await further instructions.

Army cadets were immediately promoted to officers.

Martial law was declared in European Russia, as well as Moscow and St. Petersburg.

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