[annalex]

Your source is an amateur historian on the Web, delivering the standard sentimentalized junior-high textbook fare. The relevant to us is the part which Karl Murray expressed in one phrase:

Unexpectedly, Serbia acceded to most of the Austrian demands, and, on hearing this, the Kaiser, thinking that threats had been enough, was satisfied.

He glosses over the part about rejection of the central demand, and attaching conditions to others, thus perpetuating the myth of Serbian compliance with the ultimatum. He also does not mention the fact that Serbia mobilized and Russia formally entered the state of preparation for war, before Serbian response was delivered.

[Southack]

"He also does not mention the fact that Serbia mobilized and Russia formally entered the state of preparation for war, before Serbian response was delivered."

Russia didn't mobilize until July 31st. You haven't really grasped the timeline, have you?!

As for Serbia mobilizing, that was Austria's intention when it placed the 48 hour time limit on its ultimatum. Of course Serbia mobilized after recieving such harsh demands, as they could only be viewed as an Austrian excuse for war due to their undiplomatic nature. Well, Austria got what it wanted. Serbia did indeed mobilize.

But Austria got two things for which it *didn't* want or expect, as well. The first was that Serbia caved to 3 of Austria's 4 main demands, and suggested that the 4th Austrian demand be submitted to the Hague for arbitration. This acceptance of Austria's harsh terms (no term was outright rejected per Austria's plan) was unexpected.

Austria's second surprise was that after it invaded tiny Serbia, that the Serb Army roundly beat the Austrian invasion force. It took another full year, and the combined might of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Bulgaria to finally conquer Serbia.