Imperial Valley press., 1914-08-27
HOW KAISER AND GAR
TRIED TO PREVENT WAR


many, and Gar Nicholas of Russia
cousins, exchanged several kilograms,
IN apparent effort to avert a general
war. The Car, it seems, hindered
The cause of peace by referring to
Austria -Hungary's declaration of hos
tilities against Servia as 'mean"
war. The Kaiser replied hotly it was
not "mean."
Here is the text of the Kaiser Gar
correspondence:
The Kaiser to the Gar, July 2S.
81 have learnt with the greatest
concern of the impression which Au-
ria Hungary's action against Servia
IS made in your empire. The un-
crupclous agitation which had been
fostered in Servia for years has led
20 the detestable crime of which the
Archduke Ferdinand was the victim.
The spirit in which the Servians muir
dered their own king and queen is
still alive in that country. You will
no doubt agree with me that we, too,
YOU and l, as we'll as all sovereigns,
have common interest in insisting
that all those who are morally re-
sponsible for the horrible crime should
receive the punishment they deserve.
"On the other hand, by no means
ignore the difficulty which you and
your government meet in resisting the
pressure of public opinion. Remem-
bering the strong ties of cordial friend
ship which have for so long united
Us, / am using all my influence to
induce Austria Hungary to seek a
frank and satisfactory understanding
with Russia. / confidently hope that
you will support my efforts to remove
all the difficulties that may yet arise.
'4fEvai very sr1Aaafae--'- anu daustsa1l
friend and cousin,
"WILLIAM"
To this the Gar replied on July 20:
81 am glad that you are back in
Germany at this grave moment. |
urgently ask you to assist me. A
mean war has been declared upon
weak country. The indignation, which
] share to the full, is in Russia enor-
NOUS.
81 an glad that you are back in
Germany.
81 can forsee that l shall soon be
unable 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
wouli be, l ask you in the name of
our friendship to do everything pos
sible to prevent your ally from pro-
ceeding too far.
"(Signed) NICHOLAS"
On July 20 the Kaiser again tele-
graphed:
81 have received your telegram, and
share your desire for the maintenance
OF peace. At the same time, as l
told you in my first telegram, can
not legard Austria Hungary's action
IS a "mean" war. Austria Hungary
knows from experience that Servia'g
promises, so long as they remain only
on naper, cannot altogether be relied
upon. In my view, Austria -Hungary's
action ought to be considered as ar
attempt to obtain a full guarantee that
Servla's promise would also he trans
lated into action. In this view / am
confi-med by the declaration Of the
Austrian cabinet that Austria Hun
gary is seeking no territorial conquest
at tn expense of Servia. therefore
think that it is perfectly possible for
Russia to maintain the attitude of
spectator in face of the Austro-Ser-
vian war without dragging Europe
ITO the most terrible war she has
Ver experienced.
81 believe that a direct understand
ag between your government and
Vienna Is possible and desirable-an
understanding which, as | have already
teiegraphed you, my government Is
trying to encourage with all the means
at its disposal.
Naturally, military measures on
the rart Of Russia which Austria
Hungary could regard as menace
would precipitate the disaster which
we had the wish to avoid, and would
also undermine my position as an in
lermediary which ], in reply to your
appeal TO my friendship and assist
lnee, have already assumed.
"(Signed) WILLIAM"
The last two letters were as fol-
ows:
From Gar to Kaiser.
= thank thee from my heart for
he mediation, which leaees CLEAN
i hope. II is technically impossible |
Q discontinue our military operations.