The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-08-14
TELEGRAM FROM
The KAISER TO.
THE PRESIDENT is.
GIVEN PUBLICITY.
Belgian Neutrality Had to
Be Violated "On Stra-
tegical Grounds"
IN WILHELM'S OWN
HANDWRITING
England Entered the War
to Defend France and
= Belgium

Washington, Aug. 1.-THE Ger
man efnperor's telegram to President
Wilson, given to Ambassador Ger
ard in the emperor's own handwrit-
ing, on Aug. IL, 1914, was made pub
lie officially by the state depart
ment yesterday for the first time. 1t
follows: Z 49,.
Berlin. via Copenhagen Aug. IA.
1914. .. ..r-
Received. August is, 1880 pm
Secretary OF state.
Washington. --.
August IA. 3 pm. 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 YER
bally that England would remain
neutral if war broke out on the con-
tinent involving Germany and Frace,
Austria and Russia. This message
was telegraphed to me by my broth
er from London after his conserva-
ton 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
crushed England would interfere.
'Three-On the Both my ambas-
sador in London reported that Sir
Edward Grey in the course of pri-
vate conservation told him that If
the conflict remained localized be-
tween Russia-not Serbia and Aus
tria, England would not move but
If we mixed in the fray she would
take quick decisions and grave
maneuvers; in other words, If I left
my ally Austria in the lurch fight
alone England would not touch me.
TeIeeraphs King.
Four-This Communication be-
ing directly counter to the kings
message to me, I telegraphed His
Majesty. on the 18th or Both thank
ing him for the kind message
through my brother and begging him
to use all his power to keep France
and Russia. his allies. from making
any warlike preparations calculat-
ed to disturb my work Of mediation
stating that was in constant COM
with His Majesty. the
car. In the evening the king kind
ly answered that he had ordered
his government to use every pos
sible influence with his allies to
repudiate taking any provocative
measures. At the same
time his majesty asked me. / should
transmit to Vienna the British pro-
posal that Austria was to take
Belgrade and a few other Seryian
towns and strip of country as a
main mize 70 make sure that the
Servian promises on paper should
be fulfilled in reality. This proposal
was in the same moment telegraphed
to me from Vienna for London, quite |
in conjunction with the British |
besides 1 had telegraphed !
to his majesty, the car the same as |
an idea Of my own before l rece1V-
ed the two communications from |
Vienna and London. AS both were |
Of the same opinion Immediately |
the kilograms vice |
versa to Vienna and London. felt |
that 1 was able to tide the question |
over and was happy at the peaceful
outlook.
Five-While was preparing a
note to his majesty, the car the
next morning to inform him that
London and Berlin were
lRIGGQ dDOul INC VI NAAS
affairs. l received the telephone mes
sage from his exceIlency the chan
,ellor that in the night before the
gar had given the order to mobilize
he whole Of the Russian army which
# course meant against Germany,
whereas, up till then the southern
Lrmies had been modified against
Austria.
Skin a telegram from London
nv ambassador informed me he un-
the British government
you'd guarantee neutrality OF
france and. wished to know whether
Germany would refrain from at
ack. l telegraphed to his majesty
he king personally that mobiliza-
ion being already carried out could
lot be stopped, but If his majesty
ould guarantee with his armed
orces the neutrality of France q
would refrain from attacking her,
cave her alone and employ my
orces elsewhere. His majesty an
wered that he thought my offer was
,ased on a. misunderstanding and
Is far as / can make out Sir Edward
srey never took. my offer into seri-
JUS consideration. He never ans
wered it. Instead. he declared Eng
and had to defend Belgian neutral
ty which had to be violated by Ger
many on strategical grounds, news
laving been received that France
vas already preparing to enter
Belgium and the king of the Belgians
aving refused my petition for a
rec passage under guarantee of his
freedom. am most
rateful for the Presidents mesS
age.-'Wilhelm.'