The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-10-12
XVII
End Of July and First Days OF
August, 1914.


After my return from Kiel to Berlin
a period OF calm ensued. No one
seemed to think that the murders at
Sara1evo would have any effect upon
the world
The emperor had gone north on his
yacht. but, as / believe. not until 4
certain line of action had been agreed
upon.
Most of the diplomats started on
their vacations Sir Edward Goschen.
British ambassador, as well as the
Russian ambassador, left Berlin. This
shows, of course. how little war was
expected in diplomatic circles.
/ went on two visits to German
country houses in Silesia. where the
richest estates are situated. One Of
these visits was to the country mouse
of a count, one of the wealthiest linen
In Germany, possessed of a fortune
of about s20,0oo.00o to $4,000. 900
He has a great estate in Silesia, farm
ed, as explained not by tenant farm
ers, but by his own superintendent
In the center is a beautiful country
house or castle We were thirty-twc
guests 1.-The house party This count
and his charming wife had travelled
much and evidently desired To model
their country life on that of England.
Our amusements were tennis, swim
ming and clay pigeon shooting with
dancing and music at night. LAfe
such as this, and especially the lavish
entertainment OF so many guests, is
very exceptional in Prussian country
life and quite a seven months won
der for the countryside
AUSTRIa'S UTTINATUM
TO SERBIA.
Some days after my return 10 Ber-
lin the uitimatum of Austria was sent
to Serbia Even then there was very
little excitement. and, when the Ser
bian answer was published it was be-
iieved that this would end the incident
and that matters would he adjusted
by dilatory diplomats in the usual
way.
On The 2eth Of July matters began
to boil. The emperor returned on
this day and from the morning of
the 27th took charge. On the 18th.
also, Sir Edward Goschen returned to
Berlin. | kept In touch. as far as pos
sibie. with the other diplomats as
the German officials were exceedingly
unrommunicatfve, although i called
on Toa Iagow every day and tried
TO get something out Of him. On the
night OF the 29th the chancellor and
Sir Edward had their memorable con-
versation ain which the chancellor.
while making no promises about the
French colonies, agreed, II Great
Britain remained neutral, to make
mo territorial asgresstons at the ex-
pense OF Frame"
The chancellor further stated to Sir
Edward that ever since he had been
chancellor the object Of his policy had
been to bring about an understanding
with EfsSaafasa tast3 Essst he Ns9sts In sasrsss
n general neutrality agreement be-
tween Germany and England.
On the 30th Sir Edward Grey re-
fused the bargain proposed, namely
that Great Britain should engage to
etand by while the French colonies
we're taken and France beaten so long
as French territory was not taken.
Sir Edward Grey said that the So
called bargain at the expense OF
France would constitute a disgrace
from which the good name Of Great
Britain would never recover He also
refused to bargain with reference To
the neutrality of Belgium.
Peace talk continued. however, on
both the 3oth and 31st and many Dip /
lomats. were still optimistic On the
31st / was lunehing at the Hotel Bris-
toll with Mrs. Gerard and Thomas II.
Birch. our minister to Portugal and
his wife. I left the table and went
over and talked to Mouktar Pascha. !
the Turkish ambassador. who assured
me that there was no danger what
ever of war. But in SPITE OF hts as- /
surances and Judging by the situation /
and what leaned from other dipio- :
mats. I had cabled 10 the state de- /
partment on the morning of that day I
that a general European war was
inevitable.
EUROPEAN WAR
INEVITABLE.
On the 3ist 'Kreigsgefahrzustand
or condition of danger of war" was
proclaimed at p. M, and at r. NJ /
the demand was made by Germany I
that Russia should demobilise within ,
twelve hours.
On the s0th had talk with Baron