war [!!—W.] has been declared on a weak country. The indignation, which I entirely share, is tremendous in Russia. I foresee that very soon the pressure brought to bear upon me will overpower me, and I shall be forced to take far-reaching measures, which will lead to war. In the endeavour to avert such a disaster as a European war, I beg of you, in the name of our old friendship, to do what you can to prevent your ally from going too far. [In what does that consist ? W.]—Niky."
In view of the fact that William himself had just declared there existed no cause for war against Serbia, one might assume that this reference to the terrible consequences of Austria's belligerent action must prompt William to speedy intervention. Nothing of the sort. Nicolas begs him to leave nothing undone to prevent Austria from going too far; William asks: "In what does that consist?"
William considers war against Serbia to be entirely unwarranted, and yet protests by two exclamation marks against this war being called discreditable (discreditable[1] in German White Book translated by schmählich, ignominious, which is too strong).
But William is not satisfied with this. In addition, he appends to the telegram the following reflections:
"Confession of his own weakness and attempt to shift responsibility on to me. The telegram contains a veiled threat, and a request amounting to a command to hold our ally's arm. Should your
- ↑ Unwürdig.
