The Story of the Great War, Volume 1: Introductions; Special Articles; Causes of War; Diplomatic and State Papers
History
The Story of the Great War, Volume 1: Introductions; Special Articles; Causes of War; Diplomatic and State Papers
World War, 1914-1918
"The minister said that it was the duty of Serbia to proceed
energetically against any accomplices of the murderers of
Sarajevo, a duty which she could not escape. While laying special
stress on the sympathy of France for Austria-Hungary, and on the
good relations which existed between our two countries, he
expressed the hope that the controversy would be brought to an
end peacefully in a manner corresponding to our wishes.
"The minister avoided every attempt to palliate or to defend in
any way the attitude of Serbia."
In a second telegram Count Szecsen reported that Baron von Schoen,
German Ambassador at Paris, had officially informed M. Bienvenu-Martin,
French Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, that, in the view of the
Berlin Cabinet, the Serbian controversy concerned only the two parties
to it, and, in case that third states should wish to intervene, Germany
would be on the side of her ally. M. Bienvenu-Martin replied that his
Government agreed that the controversy concerned Belgrade and Vienna
alone, and he hoped for a peaceful solution.
Count Szapary, Austro-Hungarian Ambassador at St. Petersburg,
telegraphed to Count Berchtold that, on presenting the copy of the
note to Serbia to M. Sazonof, Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs,
the minister had questioned the fact of the outrages complained of
arising in Serbia, and declared that the note was a pretext for war
on Serbia.
"I said to him that no one among us was attacking the integrity
of Serbia or the dynasty. M. Sazonof expressed himself most
vigorously against the dissolution of the Narodna Odbrana, which
Serbia would never undertake. The participation of imperial and
royal officials in the suppression of the revolutionary movements
elicited further protest on the part of the minister. Serbia then
will no longer be master in her own house. 'You will always be
wanting to intervene again, and what a life you will lead
Europe!' I answered that if Serbia shows good will it will be a
quieter life than hitherto.
"The commentary added to the communication of the note was
listened to by the minister with fair composure; at the passage
that our feelings were shared by those of all civilized nations,
he observed that this was a mistake. With all the emphasis I
could command, I pointed out how regrettable it would be if we
could not come to an understanding with Russia on this question,
in which everything which is most sacred to us was at stake, and,
whatever the minister might say, everything which is sacred in
Russia. The minister attempted to minimize the monarchical side
of the question.
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