Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1919-05-21
STORIES OF THE WAR
Events Surrounding Serbian Ultima
tum.


Events Surrounding Serbian Ultima
tum.
Correspondence of the Associated
events surrounding the
drafting and despatching of the Aus
trian ultimatum to Serbia which in
augurated the world war are given
their first amplification in the forth
coming publication of the war recol
lections of Conrad Won Hoetzendorf,
the former Austro- Hungarian Field
Marshal
The advanced proofs of the volume
a significant parallel to General Luden-
Catastrophe" indicate that it will prove
which is entitled The Road to the
dorff's memories because of its drama
tic and intimate revelations of Austro-
Hungarian diplomacy and war polio
les and because of the candor with
which it discusses Emperor CHARLES,
the cooperation of the German and
Austro- Hungarian general staff, the
relations of the former Emperor Fran
els Joseph and the German Emperor
William, the social and political in
triguing to the Austrian Empress Zita
and the whole hierarchy granddukes.
The volume is compiled by Karl
Nowak an author and journalist and
Cologne Gazette, who for two years
was assigned in a personal capacity to
Marshal Won Hoetzendorfs headquart-
ers. Nowak reported the war on all
the eastern fronts and while his name
nominally appears on the title page,
the volume is known to be Won Hoet-
zendorf's authorized and personally re-
vised reco1lections.
Discussing the events Immediately
following the assassination of Arch
duke Frederick at Sarajevo, NoWak
states that few, if any people knew
the plans of Count Won Berchtold, then
Austro- Hungarian Foreign Minister
Not even the high military officials
were informed nor was it known whe-
Their he was communicating with Ber-
lin, according to the writer.
Indignation in political and dipIo-
matte circles ran high as a result of
the murder" reads the memoirs. Mill
tary leader quoted Won Mo1tke's words,
we know the catastrophe will come
some day; the sooner the better for
u.s."
This was the situation Marshal Won
Hoetzendorf found on his return from
feigned holiday in the Tyrol where
he went after the killing of the Arch
duke at Sarajevo, in order to create
the impression that the situation was
not menacing to the peace of Europe.
Nowak describes the episode of the I'LL
timatum to Serbia as follows:
"The ministers were summoned to
Ballhausplatz (Foreign Of1cel Won
Hoetzendorf, then chief Of the general
staff, was hurriedly recalled from
Tyrol where he was on leave granted
him after the Sarajeyo assassination.
Count Won Berchtoid who conducted
the deliberations consulted the Cen
| eral in purely military matters. His
| opinion was sought only in connection
with the military prospects. The dip
| lomatic situation was not mentioned
i nor was any reference made either to
| the Serbian ultimatum Or to any other
ultimatum.
Won Hoetzendorf frankly analyzed
| every possible hostile constellation and
| did not conseal his conviction that the
Austro Hungarian monarchy was I'M
| equal to the demands of war on three
fronts. He referred to similar views
previously expressed in the preceding
years, in which he had pointed out
exactly such complications and en-
| tered upon minute consideration OF
every emergency growing out Of a pos
sible international clash.
Count Won Berchtold asked him
! whether the prospects for the mon
archy would improve in the course
| of the next few years. Won Hoetzen
dorf spoke of Hungarian opposition
| 10 huge armament credits and the
| speed with which otner nations were
arming. He declared that he would
be guilty of lying if he said the chances
of the monarchy later on would be
more suspicious. On the contrary, hi
believed they were bound TO grow
! worse in the face of the prevalent dis
| inclination to grant war credits anG
the growing nationalistic spropa ganda
His advice represented the frank judg-
ment of d military expert given soeh
in reply to the Minister'S demand
Count Won Berchtold sought no furth
er informa ton and the conference dis
banded.
For a decisive conference on tn
ultimatum the ministers were sum
moned three days later to Count Vol
Berchtolds residence. Emperor Fran
els Joseph was not present but Com
Tisza. the Hungarian Premier, Coun
Won Stuergh, the Austrian Premier
Marshal Won Hoetzendorf Minister O
War korbatin and one naval exper
were present. Count Won Berchto
again conducted the deliberations Tw,
ministerial officials were called in t
assist in the technicalities of drafting
the note. Won Berchtold read the I'll
tim alum! \ o'h.ody objected. Count Isszs
alone wavored for a moment. TIL
compilations which might threat
en- to affect the national problems o
Hungary made him appear i'll at ease
but he too finally gave his consent.
THE note contained seventies.
was plain to everyone that the mon
archy would insist it's representative
be permitted to attend the Belgrad
, investigation (of the Sarajevo muir
; der( because suspicion was very pro
nounced that not only Premier Pac
hitch but the royal house of Serbi
was implicated in the assassination.
THAT the note should receive drasti
formulation was to be expected in vie,