This “top secret” diplomatic report, written a week after the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand, suggests that Emperor William II (Kaiser Wilhelm in the text below) of Germany will offer Austria-Hungary unconditional support in its actions against Serbia. According to many historians, German encouragement helped push Austria-Hungary into war with Serbia despite the risk of Russian involvement.

From the Austro-Hungarian Ambassador in Berlin to the Austro-Hungarian Foreign Minister in Vienna

Berlin, July 5, 1914

Top secret

After I informed Kaiser Wilhelm that I had a letter from His Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty [Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria], which Count Hoyos delivered to me today to present to him, I received an invitation from the German Majesties to a déjeuner [lunch] at noon today in the Neue Palais [New Palace]. I presented His Majesty with the exalted letter and the attached memorandum. The Kaiser read both papers quite carefully in my presence.

First, His Majesty assured me that he had expected us to take firm action against Serbia, but he had to concede that, as a result of the conflicts facing our most gracious Lord, he needed to take into account a serious complication in Europe, which is why he did not wish to give any definite answer prior to consultations with the chancellor [Bethmann-Hollweg]. When, after our déjeuner, I once again emphasized the gravity of the situation, His Majesty authorized me to report to our most gracious Lord that in this case, too, we could count on Germany’s full support. As mentioned, he first had to consult with the chancellor, but he did not have the slightest doubt that Herr von Bethmann Hollweg would fully agree with him, particularly with regard to action on our part against Serbia. In his [Kaiser Wilhelm’s] opinion, though, there was no need to wait patiently before taking action.

The Kaiser said that Russia’s stance would always be a hostile one, but he had been prepared for this for many years, and even if war broke out between Austria-Hungary and Russia, we could rest assured that Germany would take our side, in line with its customary loyalty. According to the Kaiser, as things stood now, Russia was not at all ready for war. It would certainly have to think hard before making a call to arms. Nevertheless, it would attempt to turn the other powers of the Triple Entente against us and to fan the flames in the Balkans.

The Kaiser said he understood full well that it would be difficult for His Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty [Emperor Franz Joseph] to march into Serbia, given his well-known love of peace; however, if we really deemed a military operation against Serbia necessary, he [Kaiser Wilhelm] would find it regrettable if we did not seize the present moment, which was so favorable for us.

[A short review of the German position on Romania and Bulgaria and a timetable for further diplomatic discussion followed. The next day the German chancellor sent a telegram to Vienna intended to assure the Austrian emperor that Germany “will faithfully stand by Austria-Hungary.”]

Source: German Historical Institute online archive, http://www.ghi-dc.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=151&Itemid=108. Courtesy of German History in Documents and Images.

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