DISPATCHES ANNOTATIONS BY THE KAISER VIENNA, June 30, 1914. Dispatch from the Ger- man Ambassador at Vienna. (German Documents, No. 7.) . . . Here I hear even serious people express the desire of settling accounts with the Serbs once for all. A series of condi- tions should be sent to the Now or never! Serbs, and, if they were not to accept these, energetic steps should be taken. I Who told him to do take advantage of every this? It is very foolish. such opportunity for This does not concern quietly but earnestly dis- him in the least. It is en- couraging precipitate tirely Austria's affair to measures. decide what he is to do. _____________ _____________ Vienna, July 10, 1914. Dis- patch from the German Ambas- sador at Vienna. (German Documents, No. 2.) His Majesty discussed the situation with the greatest calm. Then he As His Majesty's me- expressed hi cordial morial is dated a fortnight thanks for the attitude of ago, this thing is lasting our august Sovereign and too long. Nevertheless of the Imperial Govern- it was only drawn up in ment and declared that he order to make clear the now shared our opinion reasons for the decision. completely, that he thought as we did that a decision must be reached in order to put an end to the intolerable state of af- fairs in Serbia. _____________ _____________ Vienna, July 14, 1914. Dis- patch from the German Ambas- sador at Vienna (German Documents, No. 49.) . . . The Count told me that he had been the man who had always ad- vised prudence, but that every day had strength- ened his opinion that the Monarchy must come to an energetic decision in order to give proof of its vitality and put an end to the intolerable state of af- fairs existing in the south east.. . . . Certainly. As to the time for the delivery to Serbia, it has been decided that it would be better to await the departure of M. Poin- caré from St. Petersburg -that is, the 25th.... That is too bad. _____________ _____________ Therapia, July 21, 1914. Dispatch from the German Am- bassador at Constaninople. German Documents, No. 99.) . . . Not only Bulga- ria, but also Rumania and We shall remind these Turkey, would range gentlemen of this at the themselves unreservedly right moment. on the side of the Triple Alliance, if Austria should administer a se- vere lesson to Serbia. _____________ _____________ London, July 24, 1914. Dis- patch from the German Ambas- sador at London. (German Documents, No. 157.) . . . But he [Sir Ed- ward Grey] doubted very much that it would be possible for the Russian Government to advise the Serbian Government to This would be very de- accept the Austrian de- sirable. It is not a state mands without reserva- in the European sense of tion; a state accepting the word; it is a band of such term would cease brigands! to count among indepen- dent states. He, Sir Ed- ward Grey, found it dif- ficult at this time to give advice to St. Petersburg. _____________ _____________ St. Petersburg. July 25, 1914. Dispatch from the Ger- man Ambassador at St. Peters- burg. ( German Documents. No. 160.) . . . Russia knows what is owing from her She knows this better to the monarchical princi- since her fraternizing ple, and the present case with the French Socialis- does not in the least af- tic Republic. fect this principle. _____________ _____________ Berlin, July 25, 1914. Dis- patch from the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs to the Em- peror. (German Documents, No. 168.) . . . The text of the Austrian note was writ- He wanted to swindle ten in such an aggressive Albania, and Austria has and awkward fashion bristled up. that public opinion in Eu- rope and Italy would be against Austria, and so Piffle! Italian Government could oppose it. . . . . . . . My impression is that the only way to keep Italy in the Alliance is to The little thief always promise her compensa- wants to gobble up some- tions soon enough in case thing whenever the rest Austria proceeds to make do. annexation of territory or occupies Lovcen. _____________ _____________ Berlin, July 5, 1914. Dis- patch from the Imperial Chan- cellor to the Emperor. (German Documents, No. 182.) The Chief of Staff of It is unbelievable that the Navy informs me that such intention should be Your Majesty, in view of credited to me! Unheard a telegram issued by the of! Never would I have Wolff Agency, has or- thought of such a thing dered the fleet to prepare after my Minister re- to return rapidly to Ger- ported to me the mobili- man harbors . . . zation at Belgrade! That may bring about mobili- zation by Russia, which will cause Austrian mobi- lization! In that case I must concentrate my force on land and sea. In the Baltic there is not a single warship! More- over, I am not in the habit of taking my military measures in accordance with a Wolff telegram, but with an eye to the general situation, which is what the civilian Chan- cellor has as yet been un- able to understand. _____________ _____________ London, July 29, 1914. Dispatch from the German Ambassador at London. (Ger- man Documents. No. 368.) Sir Edward Grey has The strongest and just summoned me. The most unparalleled trait of Minister was absolutely English pharisaism that I calm, but very serious, ever saw! Never would and he received me with I make an agreement con- the word that the situa- cerning the fleet with tion was becoming more such low-down fellows! and more tense.... But he deemed media- If, instead of media- tion an urgent necessity tion, there should be a if those concerned did not warning to St. Petersburg wish to have things be- and Paris to the effect come a European catas- that England would not trophe.... help them, it would im- mediately calm matters. England uncovers her- self, now that she thinks us chasing scarecrows and that our fate is, so to speak, sealed. The vile rabble of shopkeepers ought to deceive us by means of dinner and speeches. The grossest deceit lay in the words ad- dressed to me by the King through Henry: "We shall remain neutral and try to keep out of this as long as possible. "Grey inflicts a denial upon the King and what he said to Lichnowky is due to his remorse because he feels that he has deceived us. At the same time, it is a threat combined with a bluff for detaching us from Austria, preventing mobilization, and throw- ing back upon us the re- sponsibility for war. He knows quite well that if he said one single word in earnest and energetically to Paris and St. Peters- burg and invited them to be neutral, both would in- stantly be quiet. But, in- stead of this, he threatens us! The ignoble clown! Vile dog's excrement! England alone bears the responsibility for war or peace and it is no longer we! This must be proved publicly! _____________ _____________ German Document. No. ... Here we have, in 401 ) all its nakedness, the ter- rible situation slowly and surely engineered by Ed ward VII, continued and systematically developed by conversations, after- ward denied, of England with Paris and St. Peters- burg, and finally brought to its conclusion by George V, and now to be made a reality. Thus, he stupidity and awk- wardness of our ally are to be the rope for hang- ing us.... A grandiose conception which arouses admiration even in him who is to be ruined there- by! Edward VII, after his death, is stronger than I, who am alive I . . . And we are caught in the noose.... Now all these machinations should be exposed piti- lessly, the mask of Chris- tian pacifism should be publicly torn off, and this Pharisaical hypocrisy about peace should be pil- loried! And our consuls in Turkey and the Indies, our agents, etc., should foment a savage insurrec- tion of the entire Mussul- man world against this nation of odious shop- keepers, these conscience- less liars, since, even if we are to be bled white, Eng- land must at least lose India. _____________ _____________ London, August 1, 1914, Dispatch from the German Am- bassador at London. (German Document. No. 596.) Sir Edward Grey has The rubbish talked by jut read me the follow- this man Grey shows that ing declaration which has he has absolutely no idea been unanimously adopt- what he ought to do. Now ed by the Cabinet: we shall await England's decision. I have just "His Majesty's Gov- learned that England has ernment cannot for a mo- cut the Emden cable. ment entertain the Chan- This is a war measure! cellor's proposal that they And while he is still ne- should bind themselves to gotiating. neutrality on such terms. What he asks us in effect is to engage to stand by while French Colonies are taken if France is beaten, so long as Germany does not take French terri- tory as distinct from the colonies.... Such a pro- posal is unacceptable, for France, without further territory in Europe being taken from her, could be so crushed as to lose her position as a Great Pow- er, and become subordi- nate to German policy. Altogether apart from that, it would be a dis- grace for us to make this bargain with Germany at the expense of France, a disgrace from which the good name of this coun- try would never recover. The Chancellor also in ef- fect asks us to bargain away whatever obligation or interest we have as re- gards the neutrality of Belgium. We could not entertain that bargain either. We must pre- serve our full freedom to act, as circumstances may seem to us to re- quire.... . . . .When I asked him whether, if we re- pected Belgian neutral- ity, he could give me a definite declaration that What A low cheat I Great Britain would re- main neutral, the Minis- ter answered that this was not possible for him, but that this question would play a great role in public The fellow is insane or opinion here... an idiot! Moreover, the French began the war and . . . .He had also violated international law asked himself if it would by having their aviators not be possible for us and throw bombs. for France, in case of a My impression is that Russian war, to stand in Mr. Grey is a low scoun- arms opposite each other drel who is afraid of his without attacking. I own dirty tricks and of asked him whether he his lying policy, who does was in a position to state not wish to take part to me that France would openly against us, but enter into a compact of wishes to be forced to do this nature. so by us. _____________ _____________ Rome, August 1, 1914. Dispatch from the German Am- bassador at Rome. (German Documents, No. 614.) . . . He made cease- less repetition of the ex- The rascal! The King ternal and internal rea- has not yet answered me sons militating here even! against participation in the war. . . . . . . Through a man in the confidence of M. Barriere I have received So if we do not respect secret information that Belgian neutrality Eng- M. Barriere declared that land will attack us and the Italian Government Italy detach herself from had taken steps to draw us--that is the situation closer to the English Gov- in a nutshell! ernment. Perhaps, in spite of the denial of the Marquis di San Giuliano, So our allies are be- conversation have al- traying us also! ready been begun with England. _____________ _____________ Rome. August 4, 1914. Dispatch from the German Am- bassador at Rome. (German Documents, No. 850.) . . . Even a partisan of the Triple Alliance like Giolitti, who has just re- turned here, thinks that the casus foederis has not arisen, that the country needs tranquillity and The unbelievable should remain neutral, scoundrel! since there is no reason for its active participation.
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