Churchill later described Grey's briefing as making the Irish controversy fade while the map of Europe took on a new and alarming meaning. Asquith recognized that the ultimatum might produce a general war, but still expected Britain could remain a spectator. Cabinet awareness changed abruptly after weeks of divided attention. British leaders assumed the crisis might follow the pattern of 1905, 1908, and 1911, when Europe had approached war but stepped back.
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The cabinet finally confronts the ultimatum
On 24 July, the Austrian ultimatum abruptly displaced the cabinet's Irish debate and revealed the danger of a four-power war.