Perkeo,
The difference between Britain and all the rest is that Britain essentially cannot be attacked.
France, Germany, Russia, and A-H all faced a vastly more serious situation: once a belligerent neighbor mobilizes, the stakes go through the roof, because he has only to step across the border.
I'm pretty certain that Britain's leaders recognized the difference and understood its obvious implication.
The real problem with Britain mobilizing is that it could very well encourage the French, who could take it as a sign that Britain is favoring intervention.
That wouldn't convince the French to "jump the gun" and DOW Germany earlier; but it might well cause them to secretly encourage Russia even more than they did OTL.
And yes, there were some British statesmen who seemed every bit as concerned -- or even more concerned -- over the threat posed by a victorious Russia, as that posed by a victorious Germany.
The difference between Britain and all the rest is that Britain essentially cannot be attacked.
France, Germany, Russia, and A-H all faced a vastly more serious situation: once a belligerent neighbor mobilizes, the stakes go through the roof, because he has only to step across the border.
I'm pretty certain that Britain's leaders recognized the difference and understood its obvious implication.
The real problem with Britain mobilizing is that it could very well encourage the French, who could take it as a sign that Britain is favoring intervention.
That wouldn't convince the French to "jump the gun" and DOW Germany earlier; but it might well cause them to secretly encourage Russia even more than they did OTL.
And yes, there were some British statesmen who seemed every bit as concerned -- or even more concerned -- over the threat posed by a victorious Russia, as that posed by a victorious Germany.