Flotow, Hans von: Ambassador to Italy. Born September 10, 1862; entered Diplomatic Service, 1893; Second Secretary Legation, Washington, Hague, Paris. Buch, von: Minister to Luxemburg. AUSTRIA-HUNGARY Francis Joseph (Franz Josef): Emperor. Berchtold, Count Leopold: Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Born April 18, 1863; saw Diplomatic Service in Paris. London; Ambassador to St. Petersburg, 1906; appointed Secretary of State, 1914; emulated his predecessor, Count d'Herenthal, the annexor of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in strong foreign policy. Macchio, Dr. K., Baron: Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Forgach, Count: Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Diplomatic Service in Belgrade and Dresden. Tisza, Count Stephen: President of the Ministry of Hungary. Born April 22, 1861; served as President Ministry, 1903-06. Mensdorff, A.: Ambassador to Great Britain. Born September 5, 1861; Diplomatic Service in Paris, London, St. Petersburg; Secretary Ambassador, London, 1896-1904; Minister Plenipotentiary, 1903-04; Ambassador, 1904. Szecsen, Count Nicolaus: Ambassador to France. Szapary, Count Josef: Ambassador to Russia. Czernin, Count Jaromir: Charge d'Affaires, Russia. Szogyeny, Count Ladislaus: Ambassador to Germany. Zehlitschka: Consul General in Turkey. Clary, S., Count: Minister to Belgium. Giesl von Gieslingen, Baron: Minister to Serbia. Hoflehner: Consular Agent at Nish, Serbia. TURKEY Mohammed V: Sultan. Said Halim Pasha, Prince: Grand Vizier. Tewfik Pasha: Ambassador to Great Britain. NEUTRAL NATIONS Loudon: Dutch Minister for Foreign Affairs. Eyschen, Dr.: Minister of State and President of the Government of Luxemburg. Gerard, James Watson: American Ambassador to Germany. Penfield, Frederic Courtland: American Ambassador to Austria-Hungary. Whitlock, Brand: American Minister to Belgium. * * * * * It will be convenient for the reader, before entering into the diplomatic history of the war, to have before him the dates of the war marking diplomatic crises. IMPORTANT DATES PRECEDING THE WAR June 28, 1914. Assassination of Austrian hereditary Archduke Franz Ferdinand at Sarajevo, Bosnia. July 23, 1914. Austria-Hungary hands note to Serbia. July 24, 1914. Russia proposes extension of time limit in note; decides on mobilization in South Bosnia; and seeks unconditional support of Great Britain in conflict with Austria-Hungary. Great Britain proposes four-power intervention.