Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1914-12-04
My Mission to the Balkans and
What Came of II.


much like your Atlantic City, only
smaller, was not only welcome but
needed. was just settling down to
a period of quiet in and around the
kurhaus when there came a wire for
my attendance at the Wilhelmstrasse.
AT your earliest convenience" was
the phrase which, of course, meant at
once. Germany's language to her Sc
cret agents is always polite.
/ knew that something big must be
in the air, else / would never have
been recalled from a vacation that
was only beginning. Wiring a reply,
stated that / would arrive in Berlin
on the 1880 train and that any further
commands would receive attention at
my standing quarters in the Mittel-
strasse
During the three hour run to Berlin
] speculated on what was likely to be
required OF me. knew that the
kaiser believed that. as a result of
the meeting, in October, 1911, Of the
representatives of Germany, Austria
and Great Britain in the Black Forest
(about which have already told
YOU'D, he had smashed the Triple En-.
tente-a diplomatic stroke that would
leave the way clear for the execution
of Austro-German policies I'm the
Balkans.
l also reflected that since the Russo
Japanese war. Russia, weakened as
she was In that struggle, had felt her
influence in European affairs waning
and knew that 1t was about time for
her to make desperate effort to re
gain European prestige-and where
would she more naturally strive to dc
this than in the Balkans?
/ recalled that, because of Russia'r
plight after the Japanese war, Aus
tria had dared to annex Herzegovina
and Bosnia, and that she had done
this with the tacit understanding and
backing up of Germany knew that
as a result OF this, Russia had again
been at work in the Balkans The
nature OF her moves l did not know
though l recalled having heard moi
so far in the past high Servian on
Gals speculate as to their chances
of reyiving their ancient empire; anC
had also heard Bulgarians indulge
in a dream of empire. l know there
were armies mobilizing in thest
states all out OF proportion to the siz,
and resources of these countries
They were at a high mark of efl
cheney, they were equipped IN wa,
totally beyond the means of such LIT
tie nations. Who was supplyin,
this driving force, the money, am
munition. equipment? Who else,
said to myself. but Russia, and VIVA
I am to be used for is to make ceI
tain Of this for the kaiser and hi
Austrian ally.
Caller From WIIheImstrasse.
Arriving in Berlin, made my wa,
to my quarters on the Mittelstrasse
1t was about eleven o'clock when
put my key in the door / found Kir
very much awake and somewhat e,
cited. At this ungodly hour Their
was a visitor! This was all the NOR
unusual since was not in the habi
of receiving even my most intimat
friends at my private quarters.
'Koom, massa! Salute, master!
: Gentleman him here see you. Xii
him don't know If he do right, mayb
: wrong, but gentleman said 1t all rigl
that him come In"
Rather curious, / walked into th
sitting room and found a man | ha
seen pretty often at the Wilhelm
strasse. ! knew him to be Herr vo
Stammer. the right hand man of Grl
Z Won Wedel. privy councillor to tn
D German emperor. Although we wer
G well known to each other by sight, W
y had hardly conversed ten words on
side of official business. | thought
|. q little odd that the usual procedul
;. was not observed: that someone ha
a come to my room instead of me r
= ing to the Wilhelmstrasse, seemed
4 bit unusual AS things develope
however, l saw that 1t was to sa,
a time and get instant action.
y Your quarters are pretty we
q guarded here, doctor" said Herr va
Stammer. Your Cerberus did n,
! want to let me in"
= He half smiled. approvingly. al
then continued:
I'VE received your wire from A
beck and, as the count is Inaccessible
your orders will come through me til
time" KS
There was an interruption, for XII
: had appeared with cigarettes.
ne COunLs puHSuSu Won SLHmmE
driving direct to the point, wish
; you to go TO Belgrade and get in clio
touch with existing conditions thel
We wish you to ascertain the und,
= current situation. The official stat
9 is, of course, we'll known to us. b
= we want definitely to find out III
g how far Russian influences are
g work in Belgrade and Sofia, just hs
far they have progressed, and hs
q far they are prepared to go in Il
Balkan affair. If you cannot get
y Belgrade the desired information
0. and absolute accuracy is imperative
Is go to the Bulgarian capital. But-a
a this is important-no time must
n lost-not an hour. definite insie
Of the inner workings Of the situati
must be in my hands at the earlie
u possible moment-the very earlies
Here. indeed. was a task.
W Understand" continued Won Sta
ly mer. you viii have the assistance
m this case of Austrian secret servI
II employees. But, as / need not poi
3 out to you. 1t is inadvisable to "a
10 any of them with you, as all the Al
trian agents are known to the R
sian agents down in the Balkans.
4. suggest that you stop at Budapest a