THE WHITE BOOK

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 251, 26 November 1914, Page 11

THE WHITE BOOK

No. 94. Sir M. de Bunsen to Sir Edward Grey. (Received July 30.) (Telegraphic.) Vienna, July 2.9, 1914. I learn .that mobilisation of Russian .corjja destined to carry out-operations •n Austrian frontier has been ordered. My, infprinajit ,is .Russian, Apbassador. Ministry, for Foreign Affairs here has tho.ugli somewhat.. late in the day, that Russia " will riot remain* indifferent in present crisis. I believe tliat, the.'mfews •of Russian mobilisation will not be a surprise to the Ministry, but so far it is not generally known in Vienna this evening. Unless mediation, which- German Government declared themselves ready to offer in concert with three other Great Powers not immediately interested in the Austro-Servian dispute, be brought to bear forthwith, irrevocable steps may be taken in present temper of this country. German Ambassador, feigns surprise that Servian affairs should be •I.; .such interest to Russia. Both -my Russian' and French. colleagues have spokeii : to him tp;day. Russian Ambassador expressed the hope that it might still be possible to arrange matters, and explained that it was impossible for Russia'to do otherwise than take an interest' in the present dispute". Russia, he said,' had done what she cbuld already at Belgrade to indiifee Servian' Government to; meet principal Xustiian demands in a favourable spirit; if approached in a proper maimer, -he thought' she jwould probably go still further in this direction." But she .was justly offended at having been completely ignored, and she t could not consent to be excluded from the settlement- German Ambassador said that if proposals were put which opened any prospect of possible acceptance by both sides, he personally thought that Germany might consent to act as mediator in coneert with the three other Powers.

wo&ld be respected by Austria. To this he had replied that this might be so, but nevertheless Servia would become -an Austrian vassal, just, in similar circumstances, Bokhara had become a Russian vassal. There would be a revolution in ißussia if she were to tolerate such a state of affairs.

! M. Sazonoff told us that .absolute proof was in possession of Russian Go* vernment that Germany -was; making military and riayal preparations Against il^ussia-—indreparticularly in the detection of the! G.ulf of Finland. " German Aihbassador had a second interview with Minister for Foreign Affairs at 2 a.m., when former completely broke down on seeing, that war was inevitable.' . He appealed to M; Sazonof to make some-suggestion which he could telegraph to German Government as a last hope. M. Sazonof accordingly drew up and handed to German Ambassador a formula, in :French, .of which following is translation,:— ~, , "If Austria, recognising that her conflict with Servia lias assumed character of question of European interest,, declares herself ready to eliminate from Jier. ultimatum points which violate principal of sovereignty of Servia, Russia jengages to stop all military preparations." ' ;

!, Preparations for general mobilisation will be jproceeded with if this proposal is "rejected by Austria, and inevitable result will be a European war. Excitement here has reached such a pitch that, if Austria refuses to make a concession, Russia cannot hold back, and, now that phe knows that Germany is arming, Bhe pan hardly postpone, for strategical reasons, converting partial into general mobilisation.

- No. 98. Sir E.Goschen to Sir Edward Grey.— (Received July 30.) (Telegraphic.) Berlin, July 30, 1914. i Secretary of State informs me that imniediately on receipt of Prince Liclinowsky's telegram recording his last conversation with you he asked AustroHungarian Government whether they would be willing to accept mediation on basis of occupation by Austrian troops bf Belgrade or some other point and isj sue their, conditions from there. He has up till now received no reply, but he jfears Russian mobilisation against Austria will have increased difficulties, as Austria-Hungary, who has as yet only mobilised against Servia, will probably f find it necessary also against Russia. Secretary of State says if .you ca;n succeed in getting Russia to agree to above basis for an arrangement and in persuading her in the meantime to take no steps which might be regarded as an act of aggression against Austria, he still see# some chance that European peace may be preserved. He begged me to impress on you difficulty" of Germany's position in view of Russian mobilisation and military measures which he hears are being taken in France. Beyond recall of officers on leave—a measure which bad been officially taken after, and not befo/e, visit of French Ambassador yesterday—lmperial Government had done v nothing special in way of military preparations. Something, however, would have soon to be done, for it might be too late, and .when they mobilised they would have to mobilise on three sides. He regretted this, as he knew France did not desire war, but it would be a military necessity. "

I ' gather fi*bm what Russian Amba'smddr said to me that, he is much afraid of the effect that any serious engagemerit may have upon Russian public •jprnioni I gathered, however, that Russia'would go a long way to meet Austrian demands on Servia.

- No. 95. SiV M. de BUnsen to Sir Edward Grey.— ((Received July 30.) (Telegraphic.) '• Vienna, July 30. 1914. Russian Ambassador hopes that Rusfilati mobilisation will be regarded by Austria as what it. is—viz., a clear intimation that Russia must be consulted regarding the fate of Servia,—but, he -doesnot know how the Austrian Government are taking it. He says that Rnseia ; mtist have an assurance ttat Servia will not be crushed, but she would understand that Austria-Hungary is compelled to exact from Servia measures which will secure her Slav provinces from the continuance of hostile propaganda from Servian territory. The French Ambassador hears from Berlin that the German Ambassador at Vienna is instructed to speak seriously to . the Austro-Hungarian Government against acting in a manner calculated to provoke a European war. . Unfortunately, the German Ambassador is himself so identified with extreme anti-Russian and anti-Servian feeling prevalent in Vienna that he is unlikely to plead the cause of peace with, entire sincerity. ! Although I am not able to verify it, I have private information* that the #&rmaii - Ambassador krie#' the text of the Austrian ultimatum; to Servia before it was dispatched, and telegraphed it to the German' Emperor. I know from the German Ambassador himself that he endorses every line of it.

, His Excellency added that telegram received from Prince Liichnowsky last night contains matter which he had heard with regret, but not exactly with surprise, and at all events he thoroughly appreciated frankness and loyalty with which you had spoken. "He also told me that this telegram had only iseac-hed Berlin very late last nightj had it been received earlier Chancellor would, of course, not have spoken to me in way he had done.

No. 96. Sir M. de Bunsen to Sir Edward Grey.— (Received July 30.) (Telegraphic.) Vienna, July 30, 1914. The Russian Ambassador gave .the Fretfch Ambassador and myself, this r afternoon at the French Embassy, where " I happened to be, an accbunt of his interview with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, which he said was quite friendly. The" Minister for foreign Affairs had

[ No. 99. ; Sir F. Bertie-to' Sir Edward Grey.— (Received July 30.) - ' (Telegraphic.) Paris, July 30, 1914, President of the Republic tells me that the Russian Government has been informed by the German Government that, unless Russia stopped her mobilisation, Germany would mobilise.- But a further report, since received from St. Petersburg, states that the German communication had . been modified, and'was now a request to be informed on what conditions Russia would consent to demobilisation.. The answer .given is that she .agrees to dp so on condition that Aiistria-lliuigary gives an assurance: that she will respect the sovereignty of Bevvia, and submit certain of the demands of the Austrian .note, which Servia has not accepted, to an international discussion.

told him that, as Russia had mobilised, Austria must, of course, do the same. This, however, should not be regarded as a threat, but merely as the adoption of military precautious similar to those which had been taken across the frontier.' lie said he had no objection to the Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Austrian Ambassador : at St. Petersburg continuing conversations, .'although he did not sky that they could be resumed on the basis of tlxe Servian reply!. On the whole, the Russian Ambassador is not dissatisfied. He had begun to make his preparations for his departure on the strength of a rumour that Austria would declare war ill reply to mobilisation. He now hopes that something may yet be done to prevent war with Austria.

*See No. 85,

''President thinks . that, these conditions will not be accepted by Austria. He is convinced that peace between the Powers is in the hands of Great Britain. If his Majesty's Government announced that* England would come to the aid of France in the event of a conflict between France and Germany a a a result of the present differences between Austria and Servia, j there would bft no war,. -for Germany would at once modify her, attitude. . ] I explained to him how difficult it would be for his Marty's Government to make such an announcement, but he said that he must maintain that it, would be in the interests of peace. France, he said, is pacific, She does not desire war, and all that she has done at is to make

No. 97. Sir G. Biichanan to Sir Edward Grev.—-

(Received July 30.) (Telegraphic.) St. Petersburg, July 30, 1914. French Ambassador and I visited Minister for Foreign Affairs this morning. His Excellency said that German Ambassador had told him yesterday afteraoon that German Government were willing to guarantee thai Servian integrity

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 Bpeech 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 «» BENCKENDORFF, COUNT— GREY, SIB EDWARD— Russian Ambassador In Great Britain. British Minister for Foreign Affairs, London. BERCHTOLD COUNT— LIOHNOWSKY, PRlNCE—'Austrian Minister for Foreign Affairs. German Ambassador in London. * MENSDORFF, COUNT—BERTIE, _ Austrian Ambassador In London. British Minister, Paris. NIC OLSON, Sls A.—' BIENVENU-MARTIN, M.— _ Permanent Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Acting French Minister for Foreign Affairs. London. BOSCHKQVITOH, M. — RUMBOLD, SIR H.— Servian Minister in London. Second in Charge, British Embassy, Berlin. BUCHANAN, SIR G.— ROD©, SIR R.— British-. Ambassadbr, St. Fetersburgh. British Ambassador, Rome. BUNSEN, SIR M. d*~~ • SAZONOF,. M.— British Ambassador, Vienna. Minister for Foreign Affairs, St. Fetersbuxgh. OAMBON, M.— SCHEBEKO, M.— Frsnoh Ambassador in London. Russian Ambassador at Vienna. ORACKANTHORPB, D. E. M.— VILLIERS, SIR F.— Charg6 d'Affaires, Belgrade. British Minister at Brussels. GOSOHEN, SIR E.— VIVIANI, M.— British Ambassador at Berlin. Prime Minister of France. CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING — ■ • THE EUROPEAN CRISIS. '

preparations for mobilisation so as not to be taken unawares: The French Government will keep his Majesty's Government informed of everything that may be done in that way. They have reliable informa-tion-that the German troops are concentrated round Thionville and Met« ready for war. If theie were a general war on the .Continent it would inevitably draw iEngland into it for the protection of her vital A declaration now of her intention to 1 support- France,whose desire it itir that peace shall be maintained, Would ialhiost certainly prevent Germany from going to war.

No. 100. ; Sir R. Rodd $o Sir Edward Grey.—(Received July 30.) (Telegraphic.) : .'Rome, .-July. 3.0/ 1914. " German Ambassador told me last night that he' thought that Germany would be iable to prevent Austria from making any exorbitant demands if Servia could be induced to subniit, and jto ask for peace iearly, say, as soon as, the occupation of Belgrade had been accomplished. , I mkde to his Excellency tho personal suggestion that some formula might be devised by Germany which might be. acceptable for an exchange of views. I §ee, however, that you have already made this suggestion.

No. 101. Sir Edward Grey to Sir E. Gosehen (Telegraphic.) Foreign Office,, July *3O, 1914.

Your telegram of July. 29.* His Majesty's Government cannot for a moment entertain the Chancellor's proposal that they should bind themselves to neutrality on such terms. What he asks us in effect is to engage to stand; by while French colonies are taken t and France is beaten, so long as Germany does not take French territory as distinct from the colonies.

Prom the material point of view such a proposal is unacceptable, for France, without further territory in Europe being taken from her,. could be so crushed as to lose her position. as. a Great. Power, and become subordinate to German policy. Altogether, apart from that, .it would be a disgrace for lis to make this bargain with Germany at the expense of Prance, a disgrace from which the good name of this country would never recover.

The Chancellor also in effect asks us to bargain away whatever obligation or interest we have as regards the "neutrality of Belgium. We could not entertain that bargain either. Haying said iSo much, it is unnecessary tfi examine whether the prospect of a fufure general neutrality agreement between England and Germany offered positive advantages sufficient to compensate lis for tying our hands now. We must preserve our full freedom to act as circumstances may seem to us to require in any stfeh unfavourable and regrettable development of the present crisis as the Chancellor contemplates. You should speak to the Chancellor in the above sense, and add most earnestly that the one way of maintaining the good relations between England and Germany is that they should continue to work together to preserve the peace of Europe; if we succeed in this object, the mutual relations of Germany and England will, I believe, be ipso facto improved and strengthened. For that object his Majesty's Government will work in that way with all sincerity and goodwill. And I. will say this: If the peaee of Europe can be preserved, and the present crisis. safely passed, my own endeavour will be to promote some arrangement to which .Germany could be k- party; by which she could be assured that no aggressive or hostile policy would be pursued gainst her or her allies by France, Russia, and ourselves, jointly or separately. I have desired this and worked for, as far as I could, through the last Balkan crisis, and, Germany having a corresponding object, our relations sensibly improved. The idea has hitherto been too Utopian to form the subject of definite proposals, but if this present crisis, so much more acute than any that Europe has gone through for generations, be safely passed, I am hopeful that the relief and reaction which will-follow may make possible some more definite rapprochement between the Powers than has been possible hitherto.

No. 102. Sir Edward Grey to Sir E. Goschen. (Telegraphic.) • Foreign Office, July 30, 1914. I have wariied Prince Liclmowsky that Gerinaiiy'must not count upon our standing aside in all Circumstances. This is the substance of the telegram from Prince Lichnowsky to German Chancellor, to which reference is made in the last tvvo paragraphs of your telegram of July 30.* . No. 103. ; Sir Edward, Grey to Sir G. Buchanan. (Telegraphic.) Foreign Office, July 30, 1914. German Ambassador informs me that German Government would endeavour to influence Austrift, 'After taking Belgrade and Servian territory in region of frontier, to promise not to advance further, while Powers endeavoured to arrange that Servia should give satisfaction sufficient to pacify Austria. Territory occupied would, of eqnrse, be evacuated when Austria was ; satisfied. I suggested this yesterday as a possible relief to the situation, and, if it can be obtained, I would earnestly hope that it iuight be agreed to sus-

]>en<l further military preparations on all sides.

Russian Ambassador lias told ine of conditions laid down by M. Sazonof, as quoted in your telegram of Jnly .'so,* and fears it cannot be modified; but if Austrian advance were stopped after occupation of Belgrade, I think Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs' formula might be changed to read that the Powers would examine how Servia could fully satisfy Austria without impairing Servian sovereign rights or independence. If Austria, having occupied Belgrade and neighbouring Servian territory, declares herself ready, in the interests of European peace, to cease her advance and to discuss how a complete settlement can be arrived at, 1 hope that Russia would also consent to discussion and suspension of further military preparations, provided that other Powers did the same.

It is a slender chance of preserving peace, but the only one I can suggest if Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs can come to no agreement at Berlin. You should inform Minister for Foreign Affairs.

*See No. 97

No. 104,

Sir Edward Grey to Sir F. Bertie. (Telegraphic.) Foreign Office, July 30, 1914.

You should inform the Minister for Foreign Affairs of my telegram to Sir G. Buchanan of to-day,* and say that I know that be has been urging Russia not to precipitate a crisis. I hope he may be able to support this last .suggestion at St. Petersburg.

*See No.. 103. (To be continued to-morrow.)