New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-14
White House Makes Public
Emperor's Telegram
to Wilson
Text Reveals
Neutrality "Pledge"
Controversy Over Gerard
Story May Force Mon
arch to Explain

olete text Of the confidential letter sent
bv Kaiser Wilhelm to President Wilson
On August 10. 1914. just two weeks
,fter the German troops began pour
lpg through Belgium, was made public
bv the White House tonight.
Some extracts from the letter have
been printed before. but the entire
text discloses most amazing sltua-
lion with regard TO the negotiations
between Germany and England. 1t is
NE private opinion of some diplomats
here that the publication of the letter
will force King George of England TO
make some sort of explanation of the
assurances he is alleged to have sent
the Kaiser through Prince Henry, the
Eaiser's brother.
According to the Kaiser's letter,
Prince Henry was assured by King
George on July %, 1914, that England
would remain neutral if the conflict
we're localized to Germany, France,
Austria and Russia. Then the German
Ambassador was informed the next day
by Sir Edward Grey, the British Sec
retary Of State for Foreign Affairs,
that il Germany entered the war Eng
land would take quick decisions and
grave maneuvres"
Kings Proposal TO Austria
..t-- ..,.:x... ~xg.rnrno ~ 81. lat
ter is to the British proposal, made
to Prince Henry by King George, that
Austria should take Belgrade and a
few other Serbian towns. with a strip
Of country as a guarantee that Serbia
would comply with all the premises
made in her reply 20 the Austrian de-
nsnds
Text of kaiser's Telegram
Following is the full text Of the
Esiser's telegram TO President Wilson,
given 10 Ambassador Gerard in the
Emperor's own handwriting;
Berlin, via Copenhagen dated, Au-
gust IL, 1914 treceIved August Is, 1880
?. m.)
Secretary Of State, Washington,
august l4, p. m.
The following was communicated
personally TO me by the Emperor in
writing;
Private and confidential.
For the President personally.
" 0ne-The Royal Highness Prince
Henry was received by His Majesty
King George Y in London, who en-
powered him 10 transmit 10 me ver-
esily that England would. remain neu-
trsl II war broke out on the continent
involving Germany and France, Aus
uis and Russia. This message was
nsgraphed 10 me by my brother from
London after his conversation with
his Majesty the King and repeated ver-
esily on the twenty-ninth of July.
"Two-My ambassador in London
transmitted a message from Sir Ed
ward Grey 70 Berlin saying that only
IN case France was likely TO be crushed
England would interfere.
1hree-On the Both my smbassa-
dor in London reported that Sir Ed
ward Grey. in the course of private
''el conversation told him that if the
conflict remained localized between
land would not move. but il we mixed
N the fray she would take quick de-
eisions and grave manpuvres. In other
words, II left my ally, Austria. in the
iufeh 70 fight alone, England would not
hueh me-
haser's Reply TO King George
Four communication being
eneetly counter 20 the Kings message
ne, ] t.legrsphed 10 his majesty on
1s 18th or 30th, thanking him for kind
message through my brother. and beg
the him "a use all his power 10 keep
france and Russia, his allies, from
H,s!ng any warlike preparations cal
.eted 70 disturb my work on media
Won stating that ! was in constant
SSommanieation with His Majesty the
.laE In the evening the King kindly
sNered that Re had ordered his gov
.lhsnt 20 use every possible influence
With his allies 70 repudiste taking any
Soeative military measures.
AZ me same time his majesty asked
/ should transmit % Vienna the
,sitsa proposal that Austria was 70
s belgrade and few other Serbian
h and strip Of country as a main
S ltle) 20 make sure that the
si,ihn promises on paper should be
;aiea IN reality. This proposal was
ne same moment teleRraphed TO
- ron Vienna for London quite in
shetion with the British proposal;
ass' had telegrsphed 20 His Mai
~. ne Czsr the same. as an idea Of
~, before ! received the two commu-
,..1ons from Vienna and London. As
S a we're Of the same opinion, imme-
10y transmitted the telegrams vice
80 70 Vienna and London felt
s. & ! Was able 70 tide the question
ss,i sha wa happy at me peaceful
While ] was preparing a
70 his Majesty the Gar the next
Ialhg 70 inform him that Vienna,
~ ,sAoen and Berlin were agreed about
80 usslment Of affairs, I received the
N.Pratohe message from His EIcellency
A.. Sesnesllor that in the night before
h. Szsr zsr had given the order % nobil-
II ne whole Of the Russian army,
c.,.sf vas Of course also meant against
,ss.shl' whereas Up till then the
''h armies had been modified
''Ai' Austria.
says Grey Never Replied
as-Ip a telegram fro. London
.hesssador Informed me he had
'od British government would