THE WHITE BOOK

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 252, 27 November 1914, Page 11

THE WHITE BOOK

DIPLOMATIC NEGOTIATIONS PRECEDING THE WAR HOW ENGLAND WORKED FOR PEACE The White Book, which we ate 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. UEST OF OFFICIALS

BEKOKENBOKET, COUNT— ■" ■■ =,, Russian Ambassador in Great Britain. BEBOHTOLD, COUNT— ■„!■■»-. Austrian Minister ! for Foreign Affairs. BERTIE, SIR F.,- . .... -.-.... . " British Minister, Paris. .- v . ■:{■ -. BIBNVENU-MARTIN, M.— ■ . < , Acting French Minister for Foreign Affair*. BOSOHKOVITOH, M.— J Servian Minister in London. BUCHANAN, SIB G.- \ ' .. _ t . . . i British Ambassador, St. Petersburg*. BUNSEN, SIR M. de— i British Ambassador; Vienna. CAMBON, M.— ' M , French Ambassador in London* CBACKANTHORPE, D. E. M.— Oharg* d'Affaires, Belgrade. OOSCHEN, SIR B.— • British Ambassador at Berlin.

GREY, SIR EDWARD— British Minister for Foreign Affairs, London. LiOHNOWSKT, FRINGE— German Ambassador in London. . MENSDORFF, COUNT— Austrian Ambassador in London. :■ NIOOLSON,~SIR A.— Permanent Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, London. RUMBOLD, SIR H.— Second in Charge, British Embassy, Benin. RODD. SIR R.— British Ambassador, Rome. SAZOKOF, M.— ... Minister for Foreign Affairs, St. Fetersburgh. SOHEBBKO, M.— Russian Ambassador at Vienna. VILLIERS, SIR F.— British Minister at Brussels. ' VIVIANI, M.— Prima Minister of France.

I CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING pn THE EUROPEAN CRISIS. - ■ ' ■ •

No. 105. Sir Edward Grey to Sir F. Bertie. {Telegraph it*.) Foreign Offiee, July 30, 3914. Sir,—M. Cambon reminded me to-day of the letter I had written* tohim. two years ago, in which we" 1 agreed that, if the peace of Europe was seriously threatened, we would discuss what we were prepared to do. I enclose for convenience of reference copies of the letter in | question and of M. Caaubon's reply. He. Saul that the peace; of : Europe wa3 never more seriously threatened than it iwas uow. . He did. not wish to .ask me to say directly that?we would intervene, tut he would like me to say what we should do if certain circumstances arose, The particular hypothesis he had in niind was an aggression by Germany on prance. He gave me. a paper, of which a copy is also enclosed, showing: that the "German military preparations were more advanced; and more on the offensive upon the frontier than anything. JFrarice had yet done.. He anticipated that the aggression would take the form ©f either a demand that Franee should cease her preparations, or a demand that •he should engage to remain neutral if there was war between , Germany and Russia. . Neither' of these things could France admit. I said that the Cabinet: was. : -,to. tdeet to-morrow morning, and I would see him again to-morrow afternoon.—l remain, .'" ■ ' \ •.''"'' » ' ; '' ; ■.

opinion and to the British Government that in hd case will' France be the aggressor. The whole 16th corps from Metz, reinforced by a part d'f the" Bth' from Treves and Cologne, is occupying the frontier at Metz on the Luxemburg side. The .ijjtji ariny u corps from Strassburg has clQsed'up jpn the .frontier,; The inhabitiants:of Alsace-Lorraine are preycnted by t the threat of being shot from crossing the Reservists have been called back ito (jerriiahy : by tens of thousands. This [is . the last stage' before : v mobilisation, whereas we have'not called-diit a single [reservist, ' "; ..'"' l!: ' ':' -

!.'As yoii see, Germany'has done it. I would add that all my information goes to show that the German preparations began on Saturday, the very day on which the Austrian Note was handed in.

These fA6tSj added to those contained in my telegram of yesterday, will enable you to prove to the British Government the pacific intentions of the one party a»d the ! aggressive intentions of"the other. Paris, July 31,1914. '■•-'

His Excellency agreed. *See No. 101.

NO. 110;

No. 106. , Sir R. Rodd to Sir Edward Grey.— (Received July 31.) ( Telegraphic.) , i Rome, July 30, 1914. I learnt from the Minister for Foreign. Affairs, who sent for the this evening, that the Austrian Government had clined to continue the direct exehange of views with the Russian Government. But |he had reason to believe that Germany [was now disposed to give more conciliatory advice to Austria, as she seemed convinced that-we should act with France and Russia, and was most anxious to avoid issue with us. '

B. GREY.

.Enclosure . 1 in No. 105.

Sir Edward-Grey ■to Cambon. Foreign Office, November 22, 1912.;

My Dear time to

time in recent years the French and British naval and military experts have consulted together. It has always been

He said he was telegraphing to the Italian Ambassador at Berlin to ask the German Government to. suggest that the ideal- - an exehange of views.between the. four Powers should be resumed in any form which-1 Austria would consider acceptable. It seemed to him that Germany might invite Austria, to state, exactly the terms which she would demand from Servia, and give a guarantee that she would neither deprive: her of independence nor annex territory. It would be useless to ask for anything less than was contained iu the Austrian ; ultimatum, and Germany would support no proposal that did not imply non-success for Austria. We might, on the Other hand, ascertain from Russia what she would' accept, and, once we knew the standpoints of these two countries, discussions could be commenced at once. There was still time so long as Austria had received no check. He in any case was in favour of continuing an exchange of views with his Majesty's Government if the idea of discussions between the four Powers was impossible.

understood that such consultation does not restrict the freedom "of either Go- , 'vernment to decide at any future time whether or not to assist the Other by armed: jforee. We have agreed 'that Consultation between experts is nbt, and ought -not to be, regarded as an gagement that commits either Government to action in a cpntiugency that lias not arisen and mayneverarise. The disposition, for instance,, of the French and: British Fleets. respectively at the yrcsent moment is not based upon an engagement to c6,-6perate in war. ' ,-,y ¥<m have, hpwever, pointed, out that, •if either Government had grave reason to expect an unprovoked attack by a third Power, it might become essential to know whether, it. could in that event depend upon the armed assistance of ';the other: I agree that if either Government had grave reason to expect an unprovoked attach by a third Power, or something .that threatened the general peace, it should immediately discuss with the other whether both Governments should

' No. 107. Sir E. Goschen to Sir Edward Grey.(Received July 31.) (Telegraphic.) Berlin, July 30,1914. I do not know whether you have received a reply from the German Government to the communication* which you made to* them through the German Ambassador in London, asking whether they could suggest any method by{ which the four Powers could use their mediating influence between Russia and I was informed last night that they had not had time to send an answer yet. To-day, in reply to an enquiry from the French Ambassador as to whether the Imperial Government had proposed any course of action, the Secretary of State said that he had felt that time would be saved by communi : eating with Vienna dircet, and that he had asked the Austro-Hungarian Government what would satisfy them. No answer had, however, yet been returned... .',' The Chancellor told me last night that he was "pressing the button" as hard as he'could, and that he was not sure whether he had not gone so far in urging moderation at Vienna that matr ters. bad been precipitated rather than otherwise.

act together to prevent aggression and to preserve peace,, and, if so, what measures they would be prepared to take in common. If these measures involved action, the plans ; of the General Staffs would at once be taken into consideration, and the Governments would then decide what effect should be given to them.—Tours, etc.,

E. GREY.

Enclosure 2 in No. 105.

M. Oambon to Sir, Edward Grey.. (Translation.) French Embassy, London, November 23, 1912. ; Dear Sir Edward/-<You reminded me in your letter of yesterday, November 22, that during the last few years the military, and naval authorities of France and Great Britain had: consulted with «ach other from time to time; that it had always been understood that these consultations shoulvi not 'restrict the liberty of either Government to decide an the future whether they should lend each other the support of their armed forces; that, on- either side, these conuultations between experts were not, and should not be, regarded as engagements binding our Governments \to take action in certain eventualities; that, however, J had remarked to you that, if one or other of the two Governments had grave reasons to fear an unprovoked attack on the part of a third Power, it would become essential to know whether it could count on the armed support of : the other. . Your letter answers that point, and I am authorised to state that, in the event of one of our two Governments having frave reasons to fear either an attack rom a third Power, or soine event threatening the general peace, that Government would immediately examine with the other the .question-.whether-both governments rthohld act together in order to prevent aggression or preserve peace. If so, the two Governments.' wojiild deliberate as to the measures which they would be prepared to take in j common;: if■ those measures involved action, .the..".two Governments would take into immediate consideration the plans of their: general staffs, and would then decide, as to the effect to be given to those plan£.M-^ota)rs ? etc:, ' I oambon. i

.... , *See No. 84. - No. 108. Sir E; Goschen to Sir Edward Grey.— : (Received July 31.) (Telegraphic.) Berlin, July 31, 1914. Chancellor informs me that his efforts to preach peace and moderation at Vienna have been seriously handicapped by the Russian mobilisation against Austria. He has done everything possible to attain his object at Vienna, perhaps even rather more than was altogether palatable at the Ballplatz. He could not, however, leave his country .defenceless while time was being utilised by other Powers; and if, as he learns i ( s the case, military measures are now being taken by Russia againßt Germany also, it would be impossible for him to, remain quiet. He wished to tell me thkt it was quite possible that in a'very' short time/to-day perhaps; the German Government would take some very serious step; he was, in fact, just on the point of. going to have an audience with the Emperor. - His Excellency added that the news of the active preparations on the Kus3oGerman frontier had reached him ■■just when th'e Tsar had appealed to the Emperor, in the name of their old friendship,, to. mediate at Vienna, and When the Emperor was actually conforming to that, request.

No. 112.

Enclosure 3 JLai Nbl *lk)s. • French Miriistemfoj''Fbfciigi] Affairs to M. Cambon. (Trarielatidii.j; i • The Gerftian arhiyj^dUffeadvance-posts on our frontier yeistcdday;, (Friday). German patrols twice penetrated on to our territory. Our advance-posts are withdrawn to a distance of 10 kilom. f vom the frontier. The local population is protesting against Ijeiug thus abandoned to the attack of the enemy 'a army, but the Government wishes to make, it .clear to public

No. 109. Sir E. 'Gosehen to Sir Edward Grey.— (Received July 31.) (Telegraphic.) Berlin, July 31, 1914. J .read, to the Chancellor this morning

-your answer to his appeal for British ; neutrality in the event of war, as-con-tained in your telegram, of yesterday.* ,His Excellency was so taken up with the news of the Russian measures along the frontier, referred,, £p. in my. immediately preceding telegram, that he received your, communication without f comment. He asked me to let him have the '' message that I had-just read to [ him as a memorandum, as he would like' td reflect upon it before giving an aniswer, and hismrind was so full; of<grave matters that he could:not becertain of ! remembering all its points. I therefore handed to him the text .of your message, ■■• on the understanding that it should •be regarded merely as. a record 0/f conversation, and: npt as an official document.

Sir Edward Grey to Sir J.'Buchanan. . Foreign Office,. July 13,' 1914. '(Telegraphic!)i ',. ' ' , :: " . I learn f roin 1 the German" Ambassador a result of suggestions by the GermaiT Government, a conversation has taken place at Vienna between the Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Russian Ambassador, •. The Austrian Ambassador at St. Petersburg has also been instructed that: he may.con-t ; verse-with the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs,-and that he .should give I explanations about the-Austrian ulti- ! matum to Servia, and discuss ,suggestions and any questions directly affecting Austro-Russian relations. ;If the Russian Government object to the trians mobilising eight army corps, it might be pointed out that this is not too great a number against 400,000 Servians. ' ' '

The German Ambassador asked me to urge the Russian Government to show goodwill in the discussions and to sus 1 . pend their military preparations. It is with great" satisfaction that I have learnt that discussions are being resumed between Austria and Russia, and you should express this to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and tell him that I earnestly hope he will encourage, them.

I informed the German Ambassador that, as regards military preparations, I did not see how Russia could be urged to suspend them unless some limit were put by Austria to the advance of her troops into Servia.

No. 111. Sir Edward Grey to Sir E. Goschen. (Telegraphic.) Foreign Office, July 31, 1914. I hope that the conversations which are now proceeding between Austria and Russia may lead to a satisfactory result. The stumbling-block hitherto has been Austrian mistrust of Servian assurances, and Eussian mistrust of Austrian- intentions with regard to the independence and integrity of Servia. It has occurred to me that, in the event of this mistrust preventing a solution being found by Vienna and St. Petersburg, Germany might sound Vienna, and I would undertake to sound St. Petersburg, whether it would be possible for the four disinterested Powers to offer to Austria that they would undertake to see that she obtained full satisfaction of her demands>on Servia, provided that they did not impair Servian sovereignty and the integrity of Servian territory. As your Excellency is aware, Austria has already declared her willingness to respect them. Eussia might be informed by ■■'the- four Powers that they undertake to prevent Austrian demands going the length' of impairing Servian sovereignty and integrity. All Powers would, of course, suspend further military operations or preparations. You may sound the Secretary of State about this proposal. ' '-"

I said to German Ambassador this morning that if Germany could get any reasonable proposal put forward which made it clear that Germany- and Austria were striving to preserve European peace, and that Russia and France would be unreasonable if they rejected it, I would support it at St. Petersburg and Paris, and go the length of saying that if Russia and France would not accept it his Government would have nothing more to do with the consequences; but, otherwise, I told German Ambassador that if France became involved we should be drawn in.

You can add this when sounding Chancellor Secretary' of'Siate as to-pro-posal above.

Sir E. Goschen to Sir JEdwarti ,Grey,— r (Received July 31.) (Telegraphic.) Berlin, July 31, 1914.

According to information just received by German Government from their Ambassador at, St. Petersburg, whole Russian Army .'and Fleet are being mobilised. Chancellor 1 ! tells me that "Kriegsgefahr" vcfill be proclaimed at once by German Government, as it can only be against Germany; that Russian general mobilisation is directed. Mobilisation' would follow aim cist immediately. His Excellency added.iirexplanation, that '' Kriegsgef ahr ; f signified the taking of certain precautionary measures consequent upon strained relations with a foreign country. This news from St. Petersburg, added his Excellency, seemed to him to put an

end to all hope of a peaceful solution of the crisis. Germany must certainly prepare for all emergencies.

I asked him •whether he could not still put pressure on the authorities at Vienna to do something in general interests to reassure Russia and to show themselves disposed to continue discussions on a friendly basis. He replied that last night he had begged Austria to reply to your last proposal, and that he had received a reply to the effect that Austrian Minister .for Foreign Affairs would take wishes of the Emperor this morning in the matter.

No. 113. Sir G. Buchanan to Sir Edward Grey.— (Received July 31.) (Telegraphic.) St. Petersburg, July 31, .1914. It has been decided to issue orders for general mobilisation.

This decision was taken in consequence of report* received from Russian Ambassador in Vienna to the effect that Austria is determined not to yield to intervention of Powers, and that she is moving troops against Russia as well as against Servia.

Russia has also reason to believe that Germany is making active military preparations, and she cannot afford to let her get a start.

No. 114.. ... Sir Edward Grey to Sir F. Bertie and Sir E. Gosehen. (Telegraphic.) Foreign Office, July 31, 1914.

I still trust that situation is not irretrievable, but in view of prospect of mobilisation in, Germany it becomes [essential to his Majesty's Government, ,'in view of existing treaties, to ask whether French (German) Government is prepared to engage to respect neutrality of Belgium so long as no other Power violates it.

A similar request js-being addressed to German (French). Government. It is important to have an; early answer.

No. us;

[. Sir Edwards Grey to Sir F. Villiers. (Telegraphic.) ,• ,■ ■, • Foreign Office, July 31, 1914. In view o\f existing treaties, you should inform Minister for foreign Affairs that, in. consideration of the possibility; of a European waxy I have asked French and German Governments whether each-is prepared to respect the neutrality of Belgium, provided it is violated by no other Power.. You should say .that I assume that the Belgian Government will maintain to the utmost of her power her neutrality, which I desire and expect other Powers to uphold and observe. You-shouhr inform the Belgian. Government that an early reply is sired*

No. 116. : Sir Edward Gr*y to Sir F. Bertie. | (Telegraphic!) : : Foreign Office, July 31, 1914. ■■'£ have received yourtelegram of yesterday's date.* , Nobody here feels that in this * dispute, so far as it has yet gone, British treaties or obligations are involved. Feeling is quite different from what it was during the Morocco question. That crisis involved a dispute directly involving France, whereas in this case France is being drawn, into a dispute 'which is not hers. "

I believe it to be quite untrue that our attitude has been a decisive factor in the situation. , : German Government do not expect bur neutrality. We cannot undertake a definite pledge to intervene in a war. I have so told the French Ambassador, who has urged his Majesty^, ;( ;Go ( Yex4nient- 4 to 1 reconsider this decision. ■ K / I have told him that we should not be justified in giving any pledge at the present moment, but that we will certainly consider the situation again directly there is a new development. • *See No, 99. '•■■■•- (To be continued to-morrow.)