The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-24
Czar Calls "A Mean War"

(Zaf lallS It A Mean war
 To this the Czar replied on July 29:
 I am glad that you are back III Ger many at this grave moment l urgently
 been declared upon a weak country. The indignation. winch l share to the full, is in Russia enormous.
 ''I can foresee that l shall soon be un- able to resist the pressure which is being
 brought upon me and shall be compelled
 to take measures which will lead to war.
 In order to avert calamity such as a
 European war would be 1 ask you in the name of our old friendship to do every
 thing possible to prevent your ally from proceeding too far NICHOLAS.
 Only July 29 the Kaiser again tee-
 graphed:
 T have received your telegram and share your desire for the maintenance of peace. At the same tune, as 1 told you in my first telegram, l cannot regard Austria -Hungary's action as mean
 war. Austria Hungary knows from ex- perience that Servias promise, so long as they remain only on paper. cannot alto
 gether be relied upon. In my view Aus tria-Hungary action ought to be con sidered as an attempt 10 obtain a full guarantee that Servia's promises would also be translated into action In this view l am confirmed by the declaration Of the Austrian cabinet that Austria Hungary is seeking no territorial con quest at the expense of Servia l there fore think that 1t is perfectly possible for Russia to maintain the attitude of a spectator in face of the Austro- Servian war without dragging Europe into the most terrible war she has ever experi- enced.
 T believe that direct understanding between your government and Vienna is possible and desirable-an understanding which, as l have already teiegraphed you. my government is trying to encourage with all the means at it's disposal. Naturally, military measu on the
 part of Russia which Austria Hungary could regard as menace would precipi- tate the disaster which we had the wish to avoid and would also undermine my position an intermediary, which I, in reply to your appeal to my friendship and assistance, have readily assumed. WILLIAM"
 The Final Letters The last two letters are thus given by the Daily Chronicles
 From Czar to Kaiser.
 T thank thee from my heart for thy
 mediation, which leaves d sleam of hope. It is technically impossible to dis- continue our military operations : So long as the negotiations with Aus tria, regarding Servia continue my troops Will not undertake any provocative ac- tion. l give thee my word upon it. trust with all my strength in Gods |
 grace. and hope for the success of thy mediation. Thy most devoted Nicholas. From Kaiser to Car
 My efforts to maintain the peace of the world have reached .her hmit 1t will not be l who am responsible for the calamity which threatens the whole civ iiized world. Even at this moment 1t lies in thy power to avert it. Nobody threatens the honor and power of Russia, which could well have waited for the re-
 suit of my mediation. The friendship which I inherited from my grandfather
 on his deathbed for thee and thy king dom has always been holy to me. I have remained true to Russia. The peace of Europe can still be maintained by thee if Russia decides to cease her military measures which threaten Germany and Austria Hungary"