in view of the fact of our knowledge, which, after all, cannot be concealed eternally, I leave an open question. Kindest regards,
"Yours,"Zimmermann."
But why this eagerness to deny all knowledge of the Note, whose contents and wording was afterwards defended with all energy?
An underhand game was purposely being played, each being assigned his part. On July 20th the Note reached the Austrian Ambassadors, with injunctions to deliver it on July 24th to the Governments to which they were accredited.
Count Szögyeny thereupon took the liberty of remarking that an exception should be made in the case of Germany. To which Berchtold replied on July 22nd:
"The order in question had merely a formal significance in regard to Germany. The official delivery of our Note was to take place in Berlin with the same formalities as in the case of the other signatory Powers. The Note mentioned was communicated to Herr von Tschirschky already yesterday in strict confidence. At all events, it has already been transmitted to Berlin by the Ambassador."
Thus, in respect of the Note also Europe was to be deceived by deliberate lying.
