Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-08-14
TELEGRAM ITSELF
ANSWER TO DENIAL

ANSWER 10 DENIAL
Washington, Aug. 13-The German
Emperor's telegram to President Will
son, given to Ambassador Gerard in
the Emperor's own handwriting. was
made public officially by the state de-
partment today for the first time. 1t
follows:
Berlin via Copenhagen.
Dated) Aug. IA, 1914.
Received Aug. Is, $50 P. NJ.
Secretary of State at Washington.
August IA. P. NJ.
The following was communicated
personally to me by the Emperor in
writing:
Private and confidential.
For the President personally.
"One--The Royal Highness Prince
Henry was received by His Majesty
King George V in London who en-
powered him to transmit to me verb
ally that England would remain neu-
trail if war broke out on the continent
involving Germany and France, Au-
stria and Russia. This message was
telegraphed to me by my brother from
London after his conversation with
His Majesty the King and repeated
verbally on the 29th July.
'Two-My ambassador in London
transmitted a message from Sir Ed
ward Grey to Berlin saying that only
in case France was likely to be crush
ed England would interfere
'Three-On the 3oth my ambassador
In London reported that Sid Edward
Grey in the course of a private (sic) con-
versation told him that if the conflict
remained localized between Russia-not
servia-and Austria, England would not
move, but If we mixed in the fray she
maneuvers; in other words, II I left my
ally, Austria. in the lurch to fight alone,
England would not touch us.
Hold EneIand's Allies
Four-This communication being d.
recuy counter to the Kings message to
me, telegraphed to His Majesty on the
18th or 30tn thanking him for kind mes
sage through my. brother and begging him
to use all his power to keep France ana
Russia, his allies, from making any war
like preparations calculated to disturb
my work on mediation. stating that l was
in constant communication with His Maj
esty the Car. In the evening the King
kindly answered that he had ordered his
government to use every possible influ-
ence with his allies to repudiate taking
any provocative military measures. At
the same time His Majesty asked me If
I would transmit to Vienna the British
proposal that Austria was to take Bel
grade and a few other Servian towns
and strip Of country as a main mise (sic)
to make sure that the Servian promises
on paper should be fulfilled in reality.
This proposal was in the same moment
telegra phed to me from Vienna for Lon
don quite in conjunction with the British
proposal; besides I had telegraphed to
His Majesty the Car the same as an
idea of mine before 1 received the two
communications from Vienna and Lon
don. AS both were Of the same opinion
Immediately transmitted the kilograms
vice versa to Vienna and London. I felt
that I was able to tide the question over
and was. happy at the peaceful outlook
'FiveAWhile I was preparing a note
to His Majesty the Car the next morn
ing to inform him that Vienna, London
and Berlin were agreed about the treat
ment Of affairs, received the telephone
MESA ge from His Excellency the Chan
cellor that in the night before the Car
had given the order to mobilize the whole
of the Russian army. which was Of course
also meant against Germany; whereas, up
till then the southern armies had been
modified against Austria.
Based on Misunderstanding
"'six-In a telegram from London
nv ambassador informed me he had
understood British government would
guarantee neutrality of France and
wished to know whether Germany
would restrain from attack. I tele-
graphed to His Majesty the King per-
sonally that mobilization being already
carried out could not be stopped, but
If His Majesty could guarantee with
his armed forces the neutrality of
France 1 would refrain from attack
ing her, leave her alone. and employ
nv forces elsewhere His Majesty an
swered that he thought my offer was
based on a misunderstanding. and as
far as I can make out, Sir Edward
Grew never took my offer into serious
consideration. He never answered ii.
Instead. he declared England had 20
defend Belgian neutrality which ned
to be violated by Germany on STRAIT
eeirsl grounds, news having been re- :