Board Thread:New on Alternative History/@comment-128.230.13.118-20140211223126

Austria-Hungary would not have fought if Germany told them not to go to war. Germany advocated war to A-H in reality because the German General Staff felt that delay would only make Russia that much stronger. The German Empire was getting increasingly concerned about Russia's ability to mobilize quicker and this had implications regarding their own war plans. Germany desperately needed time to beat France before turning on Russia.

In short, I find no credible situation where Germany would sit back and let Russia get stronger by taking Austro-Hungarian territory, much less cripple their only reliable ally.  