THE WHITE BOOK

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 248, 23 November 1914, Page 11

THE WHITE BOOK

DIPLOMATIC NEGOTIATIONS PRECEDING THE WAR

HOW ENGLAND WORKED FOR PEACE

The White Book, which we are reprinting in this and succeeding issues of THE SUN, contains the official report of Sir Edward Grey's speech in the House of Commons justifying British intervention in the war, together with the diplomatic correspondence and negotiations arising out of the crisis which developed in Europe'on the assassination of the Archduke Ferdinand and his wife. The narrative is of extraordinary interest, and is essential to a proper understanding of Britain's attitude.

LIST OF; OFFICIALS BENOBENDOBFF, COUNT— GBET, SIB EDWABD— Bttssian Ambassador in Groat Britain.. British Minister /or Foreign Affairs, London. BEBCHTOLfc, COUNT— LICHNOWSKY, PBINCE— Austrian Minister for Foreign Affairs. w an A n t.T. a ,w n , AmblS(!!,dor London. •RFP.TTV «sm T MENSDOBFF, COUNT—ax.nxt.b, oaj* • x. ~..».. pi.,,, Austrian Ambassador in London. British Minister, Paris. NIGOLSON, SIB A. . BIENVENU-MABTIN, M.—> ■ - • . •■ Permanent Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Acting French Minister for Foreign Affairs.' London. BOSCHKOVITCH, M.— BUMBOLD, SIB H.— Servian Minister in London. Second in Charge, British Embassy, Berlin. BUCHANAN, SIB O.— BODD, SIB B.— British Ambassador, St. Petersburg!*. British Ambassador, Boms. BUNSEN, SIB M. de— SAZONOF, M.— British Ambassador, Vienna. Minister for Foreign Affairs, St. Petersburgh. CAMBON, M.— ! SCHEBEKO, M.— French Ambassador in London. Russian Ambassador at Vienna. OBAOBJINTHOBFE, D. E. M.— VILLKBBS, SIB F.— Oharg6 d'Affaires, Belgrade. British Minister at Brussels. GOSCHEN, SIB £.— VIVIANI, M.— British Ambassador at Berlia. Prime Minister of Franco. ■ CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING ; ■'■■■'- q • ""■ THE EUROPEAN CRISIS. -

No. 50. Sir M. de Bunsen to Sir Edward (hey.— (Received July 31.) Vienna, July 28, 1914. Sir, —I have the honour to transmit to you herewith the text of the AustroHungarian Note; announcing - the declaration of war against Servia. —I lifivo etc. ' " MAURICE DE BUNSEN. • v Enclosure in No. SO.' , Copy of Note verbale, dated Vienna, July 28, 19.14. / , . J ' r (Translation.) i In order to bring to an end the subversive intrigues originating from Belgrade and aimed at the territorial integrity of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, the Imperial and Royal Government lias delivered to the Royal Servian Government a Note in which a serj.es of demands were formulated, for the--acceptance, of . which , a delay of forty-eight hours has been granted to the Royal Government. The Royal Servian' Government not having answered this Note in a satisfactory manner, the Imp6rial and Royal Government are thepjselves compelled to- see to the safeguarding of their rights and interests, and, with this object, to have recourse to force of arms. Austria-Hungary, who has just, addressed to Servia a formal declaration, in conformity with article 1 of the convention of October 18, 1907, relative to the opening of hostilities, considers herself henceforward in a state of war with Servia.In bringing the above to notice of his Britannic Majesty 's Embassy, , the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has the honour to declare that Austria-Hungary wijl;.act during the hostilities: in conformity with, the terms of the Convention of The Hague of October 18, 1907, as also with those of the Declaration of London of February 28, 1909, provided an alalogous procedure is adopted by Servia. ; 'llie Embassy is requested to be - sogopd as to communicate-the present notification as soon as possible to the British Government. Nb, si. ' . . "Vi; Sir F. Bertie to Sir Edward Grey.— (Received July 28.) Paris, July 27, 1914. Sir,—l have the honour to transmit to you herewith a copy of a memorandom from the acting Minister for For-, eign Affairs as to the steps to be taken tjfr prevent nn outbreak of hostilities between Austria-Hungary and Servia T have, etc., . FRANCIS BERTIE. Enclosure in No. 51. Note Communicated to Sir F, Bertie fey M. Bierivenu-Martin. (Translation.) In a note of the 25th of this month, his .Excellency the British Ambassador , informed the Government of the Republic that, in. Sir E. Grey's opinion, the only possible way of assuring the maintenance of peace in case of the relations between Russia and Austria becoming more strained, would be if the i-epresentatives of Great Britain, France, Germany, and Italy in Austria and Russia were to take joint action; and he expressed the wish to know if the- Government of the Republic were disposed to welcome such a suggestion. The Minister of Foreign Affairs ad interim has the honour to inform his Excellency Sir F. Bertie that he has requested M. Jules Cainbon to concert with the British Ambassador in Germany, and to support any . representation which they may consider it advisable to make to the -Berlin Cabinet. In accordance with the desire expressed by the British Government, and conveyed to them by Sir F. Bertie in his Note of the 26th of this month, the Government of the Republic have also authorised M. Paul Cambon to take part in the conference which Sir E. Grey has proposed with a view to discovering a means of settling the present difficulties. .

The French Ambassador, in Berlin has received instructions to consult first the British Ambassador in Berlin, and then to support the action taken by the latter in such manner and degree as may be considered appropriate. M. Vivian is ready to send to the representatives bf France in Vienna, St. Petersburgh, and Belgrade instructions in the sense suggested by the British Government.

No. 53; \ M. Sazonof to Count Benckendorff. —- (Communicated by Count Benckendorff, July 28.) (Translation.) (Telegraphic.) / St. Petersburg, July 27, 1914. The British Ambassador came to ascertain whether we. think it desirable that Great Britain should take the initiative in convoking a conference in London of the representatives of- England, France, Germany, and Italy, to examine the possibility of a way out of the present situation^

I replied to the Ambassador that I have "begun conversations with the Austro-Hungarian Ambassador under conditions which, I hope, may be favourable. I have not, however, received as yet any reply to the proposal made by me for revising-the Note between the two Cabinets.

If direct explanations with the Vienna Cabinet were to prove impossible, I am ; ready to accept the British proposal, or any : 3 bther proposal of a kind that would frririg about a favourable solution of the conflict.

I wish, however, to put an end from this day rforth to a misunderstanding which might arise from the answer given by the French Miiiister of Justice to the German Ambassador, regarding counsels of moderation to be given to the Imperial-Cabinet.- ... No. 54. : : ' M. Sazonof to Count "Berickendorff. — (Communicated by Count Benckendorff, July 28, 1914.) (Translation.) (Telegraphic.) St. Petersburg, July 15 (28), 1914. . My interviews with the German Ambassador confirm my impression that Germany is, if anything, in favour of the uncompromising attitude adopted by Austria. The Berlin Cabinet, who could have prevented the whole of this crisis developing, appear to. be exerting no influence on their ally. . The Ambassador considers that the Servian reply is insufficient. This attitude of the German Government is most alarming. It seems to me that England is in a better position than any other Power to make another attempt at Berlin to induce the German Government to take the necessary action. There is no doubt that the key of the situation is to be found at Berlin. No. 55. Sir G. Buchanan to Sir Edward Grey.— (Received July 28.) (Telegraphic.) St. Petersburg, July 27, 1914. With reference to my telegram of yesterday*, I saw the Minister for' Foreign Affairs this afternoon, and found him very conciliatory and more optimistic. He would, he\said, use all his influence at Belgrade to induce the Servian Government to go as far as possible in giving satisfaction to Austria, but her territorial integrity must be guaranteed and her rights as a sovereign State respected, so that she should not become Austria's vassal. He did not know whether Austria would accept friendly exchange of views which he had proposed, but, if she did, he wished to keep in close contact with the other Powers throughout the conversations that would ensue. He again referred to the fact that the obligations undertaken by Servia in 1908, alluded to in the Austrian ultimatum, were given to the Powers. I asked if he had heard of your proposal with regard to conference of the four Powers, and on his replying in the affirmative, I told him confidentially of your instructions to me, and inquired whether, instead of such a conference, he would prefer a direct exchange of views, which he had proposed. The German Ambassador, to whom I had just spoken, had expressed his personal opinion that a direct exchange of views would be more agreeable to AustriaHungary. His Excellency said he was perfectly ready to stand aside if the Powers accepted the proposal for a conference, but he trusted that, you would keep in touch with the Russian Ambassador in the event of its taking place. * See No. 44.

The Government of the Republic is likewise ready to. instruct the representatives at St. Petersburg, Vienna, and Belgrade to induce the Russian, Austrian, and Servian Governments to abstain from all active military operations pending the results of this conference. He considers, however, that the.chance of Sir E, Grey's proposal l>eing successful depends essentially on the action which the Berlin Government would be willing to take at Vienna. Jtepresentations made to the AustrianHungarian Government for the purpose ©f bringing about a suspension of military operations would seem bound to fail unless the German Government do *ot beforehand exercise their influence on the Vienna Cabinet; The, President of the Council ad interim takes the opportunity, etc. Paris, July 27, 1914.

< No. 52. Note communicated by French Embassy, July 28, 1914. (Translation.) The Government of the .Republic accepts Sir Edward Grey's proposal in regard'to intervention by Great Britain, France, Germany, and Italy, with a view to avoiding active military operations on the frontiers of Austria, Russia, and Servian and they have authorised M. P. Cambon to take part in the deliberations of the four representatives at the meeting which is to be held in London.

No. 56. Sir M. de Bunsen to Sir Edward Grey.— (Received July 28.) (Telegraphic.) Vienna,, July 27, 1914. The Russian Ambassador had to-day a long and earnest conversation with Baron Macchio, tft£ Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. He told him that, having just come back from St. Petersburg, he was well acquainted with the views of the Russian Government, and the state of Russian public opinion. He could assure him that if actual war broke out with Serbia, it would be impossible to localise it, for Russia was not prepared to give way again, as she

had done on previous occasions, and especially during the annexation crisis of 1909. He earnestly hoped that something would be done before Servia was actually invaded. Baron Macchio replied that this would now be difficult., as a skirmish had already taken place on the Danube, in which the Servians had been the aggressors. ' The Russian Ambassador said that he would do all he could to keep the Serviaus quiet, pendiug any discussions that might yet, take place, and he told me that he would advise his Government to induce the Servian Government to ; avoid any conflict as long asi.possible, and to fall back before an Austrian advance. Time so gained should suffice to enable a settlement to be reached. He had just heard of a satisfactory conversation which the Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs had.yesterday with the Austrian Ambassador at St. Petersburg. The former had agreed that much of the Austro-Hiingarjan Note to Servia had been perfectly • reasonable, and in fact they had. practicallyreac'hed an understanding as to the guarantees which Servia might reasonably be asked to give to Austria-Hungary for her future good behaviour. .The Russian Ambassador urged that'the Austrian Ambassador at St. Petersburg should be furnished with full powers to continue discussion with the Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs, who was very willing to advise Servia to yield all that could be fairly asked of her as an independent Power, Baron Macchio promised to submit this suggestion to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

No. 57. Sir R. Rodd to- Sir Edward Grey.— (Received July 28.) (Telegraphic.)

Rome, July 27, 1914. Minister . for Foreign Affairs greatly doubts whether Germany will ! be. willing to invite Austria to snspend military action pending the conference, but he had hopes that military action may be practically deferred by the fact of the conference meeting at once. Ab at present informed, he sees no possibility of Austria receding from any point laid down in her Note to. Servia, but he believes that if Servia will even now accept it Austria will be satisfied, and if she had reason to think that such will be the advice, of the Powers, Austria may defer action. Servia may be induced to accept Note in its entirety on the advice of the fout Powers invited to the conference, and this would enable her to say. that she had yielded to Europe, and not to Austria-Hungary alone.

Telegrams from Vienna to the press here stating that Austria is favourably impressed with the declarations of the Italian Government have, the Minister for Foreign Affairs assures me, no foundation. He said he had expressed no opinion to Austria with regard to the Note. He assured me both before and after communication of the Note, and again to-day, that Austrian Government have given him assurances that they demand no territorial sacrifices from Servia.

No. 58. Sir F. Bertie to Sir Edward Grey.— (Received July 28.) (Telegraphic.) Paris, July 28, 1914. I communicated to the Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs this afternoon the substance of your conversation with the German Ambassador, recorded in your telegram* to Berlin of July 27. His Excellency is grateful for the communication. He said that it confirms what he, had heard of your attitude, and he feels .confident that your observations to the German Ambassador will have a good effect in the interest of peace. 'See No. 46. .

No. 59. Sir F. Bertie ""to Sir Edward Grey.— (Received July 28.) (Telegraphic.) Paris, July 28, 1914. informed the Acting Minister for i oreign Affairs to-day of your conversation with the Russian Ambassador, as recorded in your telegram of yesterday* to St. Petersburg. He is grateful for the communication, and quite appreciates the impossibility for his Majesty>s Government to declare themselves "solidaires" with Russia on a question between Austria and Servia which in its present condition is not one affecting* England. Me also sees that you cannot take up ah attitude at Berlin and Vienna more Servian than that attributed in German and Austrian sources to the Russian Government. German Ambassador has stated that Austria would respect the integrity of Servia, but when asked whether her independence also would be respected he gave no assurance.

"See No. 47. No. 60. Sir E. Goschen to Sir Edward Grey. - (Received July 28.) (Telegraphic.) Berlin, July 28, 19.14. Secretary of State spoke yesterday in the same sense as that reported in" my telegram of yesterday* to my French and Italian colleagues respecting your proposal. I discussed with my two colleagues this morning his reply, and we found that, while refusing the proposed conference, he had said to all of us that nevertheless he desired to work with us for the maintenance of general peace. We therefore deduced that if he is sincere in this wish lie can only be object-

iDg to the form of your proposal. Perhaps he himself could be induced to suggest lines on which he would find it possible to work with us. *See No. 4.">. No. 61. Sir M. do Bunsen to Sir Edward. Grey. (Received July 28.) (Telegraphic.) Vienna, July 28, 1914. I saw 'Minister for Foreign Affairs this morning. His Excellency declared that AustriaHungary cannot delay warlike proceedings against Servia, and would have to decline any suggestion of negotiations on basis of Servian reply. Prestige of Dual Monarchy was engaged, and nothing could now prevent conflict. v No. 62. Sir M. de Bunnell to Sir Edward Grey. (Received July 28.) (Telegraphic.) Vienna, July 28, 1914. I spoke to Minister for Foreign Affairs to-day in the sense of your telegram of July 27* to Berlin. I avoided the word '' mediation, ! J but said that, as mentioned in your .speech,t which he had just read to me, you had hopes that conversations in London bet-ween' the four Powers less interested might yet lead to an arrangement which Aiistro-Hungarian Government would accept as satisfactory and as rendering actual hostilities unnecessary. I added that you had regarded Servian reply as having gone far to meet just demands of Austria-Hungary; that you thought it-.constituted a fair basis of discussion during which warlike operations might remain in abeyance, and that Austrian Ambassador in Berlin.was speaking in this sense. Minister for Foreign Affairs said quietly, but firmly, that no discussion eonld be accepted.on basis of Servian Note; that war would be declared today, and that well-known pacific-character [of Emperor, as well as, he might add, his town, miglit be accepted as a guarantee that war was both just and 'inevitable. This was a matter that must be settled directly between the two parties immediately concerned. 1 said that you would hear with regret that hostilities could not now be arrestedy as you feared tfyat they might lead to complications threatening the peace of Europe. Tn taking' leave of his Excellency, I begged him to believe that, if in the course of present grave crisis our;point of view should sometimes differ from his, this. would arise, not fl'om want of- synv pathy with the many just complaints which Austria-Hungary had against Servia, but from the fact that, whereas Aus-tria-Hungary put first her quarrel with Servia, yon-were anxious -in the firtt instance for peace of Europe; I trusted this larger aspect of the question won Id appeal with equal force-to his Excellency., He said he had it. also- in -mind, but thought that Russia ought not to oppose operations like those impending, .which -did not aim at territorial aggrandisement, and which could no longer be postponed.

1 . - *See No. 46. ,t" Hansard, n Vol. 65, No. 107, columns •931, 932, 933. | " No. 63. i Sir R. Rodd to Sir Edward Grey.l—■(Rejceived July 28.) (Telegraphic.)" I Rome," July 28 r 1914. i Your telegram of July 25 to Paris.* \ I bat'e communicated substance to Minister for Foreign Affairs,- who immediate:ly telegraphed-in precisely similar termsto Berlin and Vienna. • t. :*SeeNo. 27. I' ■ .'N0;.64. J Sir R. Rodd to Sir Edward Grey.—(Rekeived July 28.) (Telegraphic.) j !; Rome, July 28, 191&. * | I -At the request of the Minister<"for For-) I eign Affairs'? I submit the following to' 1 yon i-^-» •• • f , In a long' conversation this ■ morning j Servian Charge : d 'Affaires had said he f thought that if some explanations Vefre: given regarding mode in which Austrian r agents would require to intervene under i article 5 and article 6, feervia might still accept the whole Austrian Note. As it was not to be anticipated that Aostria would give such explanations to Servia, they might be given to Powers engaged in discussions, who might then advise Servia to accept without conditions.

The AuKtro-Hungarian Government had in the meantime published a long official explanation of grounds on which Servian reply was considered inadequate. Minister for Foreign Affairs considered many points besides explanation—sueh as slight verbal difference in sentence regarding renunciation of propaganda—quite childish, but there was a passage which might prove useful in facilitating such a course as was considered practicable by the Servian Charge d 'Affaires. It was stated that co-operation of Austrian agents in Servia was to be only in investigation, not in judicial or administrative measures. Servia was said to have wilftilly misinterpreted this. He thotight, therefore, that ground might be cleared here. I only reproduce from memory, as I had not yet received text of Austrian declaration.

Minister impressed upon me, above all, his anxiety for the immediate beginning of discussion. A wide general latitude to accept at once every point or suggestion on which he could be in agreement with and Germany had been given, to Italian Ambassador. No 65. Mr Oaekanthorpe to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received July 28.) (Telegraphic.) Nisli, Jnly 28, 1914. I have xirged on the Servian Government the greatest moderation pending efforts being made towards a peaceful solution. Two Servian steamers fired on and damaged, and two Servian merchant vessels have been captured by a Hungarian monitor at Orsova. No. 66. Mr Grackanthorpe to Sir Edward Grey.—("Received July 28.) (Telegraphic.) Nish, July 28, 1914. Telegram received here that war declared by Austria. No. 67. Sir Edward Grey to Sir E. Goschen. (Telegraphic.) Foreign Office, July 28, 1914. Explanation given in your telegram of July 27* of what was my idea in proposing a conference is quite right. It would not be an arbitration, but a private and informal discussion to ascertain what suggestion could be made for a settlement. No suggestion would be put forward that had not been previously ascertained to be acceptable to Austria and Russia, with whom the mediating Powers could easily keep in touch through their respective allies. But as long as there is a prospect of a direct exchange of views between Austria and Russia, I would suspend every other suggestion, as I entirely agree that it is the most pi*eferable method of all. I understand that the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs has proposed a friendly exchange of views to the Austrian Government, and, if the latter ac-

(To be continued to-morrow.)

cepts, it will no doubt relieve the tension and make the situation less critical. It is very satisfactory to hear from the German Ambassador here that the German Government, has taken action at. Vienna in the sense of the conversation recorded in my telegram of yesterday to voii.T *See No. 4.'!. tSee No. 46. No. 68. Sir Edward Grey to Sir E. Goschen. (Telegraphic.) Foreign Oflk'e, July 28, 1914. German Government, having accepted principle of mediation between Austria and Russia by the four Powers, if necessary, I am ready to propose that the German Secretary of State should suggest the lines on which this principle should be appliod. I will, however, keep the idea in reserve until we see how the conversations between Austria and Russia progress. No. 69. Sir Edward Grey to Sir G. Buchanan. (Telegraphic.) foreign Office, July 28, 1914. It is most satisfactory that there is a [prospect of direct exchange of views.between the Russian and Austrian Governments, as reported in . your telegram of July 27.* , I am ready to put forward any practical proposal that would facilitate this, but I am not quite clear as to what the .tJussian Minister for Foreign Affairs proposes the Ministers at Belgrade should do. Could he not first mention in an exchange of views with Austria his willingness to co-operate in some such scheme? It miglit then take more concrete shape. , *See No. 55.