A feature of the situation which has deepened the anxiety
of Europe more than any other has been the attitude of German-y. It was at first hoped and believed that "at a price" Germany would intervene to prevent her hot-headed ally from doing more than diplomatically slapping the face of Servia. Austria under German guidance would, it was believed, give assurances that as soon as the slapping was over there might be a return to the status qua. Germany, however, very early let it be known that she sympathized with Austria-Hungary's determination not merely to inflict diplomatic slaps, but to occupy, temporarily at any rate, Servian territory, and deal the Servian army and people a heavy physical blow. Further, she made it plain that if any other Great Power—meaning, of course, Russia—showed any tendency to prevent the chastisement of Servia, Germany would once more don her "shining armour" and stand by her ally. In a word, Germany's attitude was • 41 Hands off while Austria-Hungary is flogging Servia."
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