Am glad you are back. In this serious moment, I appeal to you to help
me. An ignoble war has been declared to a weak country. The indignation
in Russia shared fully by me is enormous. I foresee that very soon I shall
be overwhelmed by the pressure forced upon me and be forced to take extreme
measures which will lead to war. To try and avoid such a calamity as a European
war I beg you in the name of our old friendship to do what you can to stop
your allies from going too far.
It is with the gravest concern that I hear of the impression which the
action of Austria against Serbia is creating in your country. The unscrupulous
agitation that has been going on in Serbia for years has resulted in the
outrageous crime, to which Archduke Francis Ferdinand fell a victim. The
spirit that led Serbians to murder their own king and his wife still dominates
the country. You will doubtless agree with me that we both, you and me,
have a common interest as well as all Sovereigns to insist that all the
persons morally responsible for the dastardly murder should receive their
deserved punishment. In this case politics plays no part at all.
On the other hand, I fully understand how difficult it is for you and your
Government to face the drift of your public opinion. Therefore, with regard
to the hearty and tender friendship which binds us both from long ago with
firm ties, I am exerting my utmost influence to induce the Austrians to
deal straightly to arrive to a satisfactory understanding with you. I confidently
hope that you will help me in my efforts to smooth over difficulties that
may still arise.
Your very sincere and devoted friend and cousin
Willy
I received your telegram and share your wish that peace should be maintained.
But as I told you in my first telegram, I cannot consider Austria's action
against Servia an "ignoble" war. Austria knows by experience that
Servian promises ono paper are wholly unreliable. I understand its action
must be judged as trending to get full guarantee that the Servian promises
shall become real facts. This my reasoning is borne out by the statement
of the Austrian cabinet that Austria does not want to make any territorial
conquests at the expense of Servia. I therefore suggest that it would be
quite possible for Russia to remain a spectator of the austro-servian conflict
without involving Europe in the most horrible war she ever witnessed. I
think a direct understanding between your Government and Vienna possible
and desirable, and as I already telegraphed to you, my Government is continuing
its exercises to promote it. Of course military measures on the part of
Russia would be looked upon by Austria as a calamity we both wish to avoid
and jeopardize my position as mediator which I readily accepted on your
appeal to my friendship and my help.
Thanks for your telegram conciliatory and friendly. Whereas official
message presented today by your ambassador to my minister was conveyed in
a very different tone. Beg you to explain this divergency! It would be right
to give over the Austro-servian problem to the Hague conference. Trust in
your wisdom and friendship.
Thank you heartily for your quick answer. Am sending Tatischev this evening
with instructions. The military measures which have now come into force
were decided five days ago for reasons of defence on account of Austria's
preparations. I hope from all my heart that these measures won't in any
way interfere with your part as mediator which I greatly value. We need
your strong pressure on Austria to come to an understanding with us.
Best thanks for telegram. It is quite out of the question that my ambassadors
language could have been in contradiction with the tenor of my telegram.
Count PourtalËs was instructed to draw the attention of your government
to the danger & grave consequences involved by a mobilisation; I said
the same in my telegram to you. Austria has only mobilised against Servia
& only a part of her army. If, as it is now the case, according to the
communication by you & your Government, Russia mobilises against Austria,
my rÙle as mediator you kindly intrusted me with, & which I accepted
at you[r] express prayer, will be endangered if not ruined. The whole weight
of the decision lies solely on you[r] shoulders now, who have to bear the
responsibility for Peace or War.
I thank you heartily for your mediation which begins to give one hope
that all may yet end peacefully. It is technically impossible to
stop our military preparations which were obligatory owing to Austria's
mobilisation. We are far from wishing war. As long as the negociations with
Austria on Servia's account are taking place my troops shall not make any
provocative action. I give you my solemn word for this. I put all
my trust in Gods mercy and hope in your successful mediation in Vienna for
the welfare of our countries and for the peace of Europe.
I received your telegram. Understand you are obliged to mobilise but
wish to have the same guarantee from you as I gave you, that these measures
do not mean war and that we shall continue negociating for the benefit
of our countries and universal peace deal to all our hearts. Our long proved
friendship must succeed, with God's help, in avoiding bloodshed. Anexiously,
full of confidence await your answer.