The Cape weekly tribune. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1914-1914, 1914-09-04
KAISER and CAR
TRIED FOR PEACE
The Official Correspondence
Show Two Rulers Sought
to Evade War.


many, and Car Nicholas Of Russia,
cousins, exchanged several kilograms,
in apparent effort to avert general
war. The Car, il seems, hindcrCd the
cause Of peace by referring to Aus
tria-HuEary's declaration of hostili-
ties against Servia as a "mean" war
The Kaiser replied holly it was not
mean"
Here is the text Of the kaiser
Car correspondence:
The Kaiser to the Gar, July Is:
. al have learned with the greatest
concern of the impression which Aus
tria HungarY's action against Scrvia
has made in your empire. The unsCru-
pulous agitation which had been fos-
tered in Servia for years has led to
the detestable crime. Of which the
Archdukc Ferdinand was the victim.
The spirit in which the Scrvians 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 |. as we'll as all sovefeignS,
have common interest iutfhsisting
that all those who are morally re-
sponsible for the horrible crime should
receive the punishment they deserve.
"On the other hand, I by no means
ignore the difficulty which you and
your government meet in resisting the
pressure Of public opinion. Remem-
boring the strong ties of cordial
friendship which have for so long
united us, am using, all my influence
to induce Austria fuRasrX to seek
frank and satisfactory understanding
with Russia. confidently hope that.
you will support my efforts to re-
move all the difficulties that may yet
arise. ~
Your very sincere and devoted
friend and cousin, William"
To this the Gar replied on July %:
81 am glad that you are back in
Germany at this grave moment.
urgently ask you to assist me. A
mean war has been called upon a
weak country. The Indignation, which
share to the full, is in Russia enor-
nous.
81 am glad that you are back in
Germany.
81 can forsee that | 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 a
calamity such as European war
would be. ! ask you in the name of
our old friendship to do everything
possible to prevent your ally from
| proceeding too far.
(Signed) Nicholas"
On July 90 the Kaiser again tele-
graphed:
81 have received your telegram, and
share your desire for the maintcn-
ance of peace. At the same time, as
| told you in my first telegram. can
not regard Austria-Hungary's action
as a ''mean" war. Austria-Hungary
knows from experience that Serva's
promises, so long as they remain only
on paper, cannot altogether be relied
upon. In my view, Austria Hungary's
action ought to be considered as an
attempt to obtain full guarantee
that Servia's promises would also
be translated into action. In this view
| am confirmed by the declaration of
the Austrian cabinet that Austria
| Hungary is seeking no territorial con
quest at the expense of Servia. |
therefore think that it is perfectly
possible for Russia to maintain the
attitude of spectator in face of the
Austro-Servian war without dragging
Europe into the most terrible war she
has ever experienced ..'
81 believe that direct understand
ing between your government and
Vienna is possible and desirable an
understanding which, as | have al
ready telegraphed you, my govern
ment is trying to encourage with all
the means at it's disposal.
Naturally, military measures on
the part of Russia which Austria
Hungary could regard as a menace
would precipitate the disaster which
we had the wish to avoid, and would
also undermine by position as an in
termediary, which !, in reply to your
appeal TO my friendship and assist
ance, have readily assumed.
(Signed) William"
The last two letters were as fol.
lows
From Gar to Kaiser:
81 thank thee from my heart for thy
mediation, which leaves a CLEAN of
hope. 1t is technically impossible to
discontinue our military operations
SO long as the negotiations with Aus
tria regarding Servia continue my
troops will not undertake any provo
cative action. ! give thee my word
upon it. l trust with all my strength
in Gods grace, and l hope for the sue
cess of thy mediation.-Thy most de-
voted Nicholas"
From Kaiser to Gear:
"My efforts to maintain the peace
of the world have reached their limit
1t will not be, l, who am responsible
for the calamity which threatens the
whole civilized world. Even at this
moment it lies in thy power to avert
it. Nobody threatens the honor and