We do not
definitely know. What we do know is, that it was the German ultimatum that
precipitated the war.
We are informed, however, by Baron Beyens that even at the last moment the
German Foreign Office made one more effort for peace:--
As no reply had been received from St. Petersburg by noon the next day
[after the dispatch of the German ultimatum], MM. de Jagow and Zimmermann
(I have it from the latter) hurried to the Chancellor and the Kaiser to
prevent the issue of the order for general mobilization, and to persuade
his Majesty to wait till the following day. It was the last effort of
their dying pacifism, or the last awakening of their conscience. Their
efforts were broken against the irreducible obstinacy of the Minister of
War and the army chiefs, who represented to the Kaiser the disastrous
consequences of a delay of twenty-four hours.[10]
[Footnote 1: French Yellow Book, No. 6. In "L'Allemagne avant la guerre"
(p. 24) Baron Beyens states that this conversation was held at Potsdam on
November 5th or 6th; the Kaiser said that war between Germany and France
was "inevitable and near." Baron Beyens, presumably, is the authority from
whom M. Cambon derives his information.]
[Footnote 2: Above, p. 25.]
[Footnote 3: "L'Allemagne avant la guerre," p. 273.]
[Footnote 4: "L'Allemagne avant la guerre," p.
Pages:
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118