There exists between Austria-Hungary
and Germany an ancient and firm alliance, which makes it the duty of
both Governments to afford unconditional support to each other in the
moment that either one's vital interests come into question. There can
be no doubt that the existence of Austria-Hungary is threatened by the
Servian agitation. Despite this, the German Emperor, in offering his
final counsels respecting the treatment of Servia and the concessions to
be made to Russia, went, in his desire for peace, almost to the point
where Austria could have had doubts of Germany's fidelity to the
obligations of the alliance. Nevertheless, Russia at this very time not
only continued its mobilization against Austria, but also simultaneously
brought its troops into a state of preparedness for war against Germany.
It is impossible that this could have been done without the order of the
Czar. The conduct of the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, of the
Chief of the General Staff and of the War Minister was of a piece with
this attitude of the ruler. They assured the German Ambassador and the
German Military Attache upon their word of honor that troops were not
being mobilized against Germany and that no attack upon Germany was
planned.
Pages:
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176