German, Russian Leaders Trade

Telegrams in Attempt to Prevent War

By Facing History, adapted by Newsela staff on 11.02.17
Word Count 901
Level 1030L

Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany (center) rides with Czar Nicholas II of Russia (saluting). This photo was taken before World War
I which broke out in 1914. Photo from Wikipedia

The spark that set off World War I came on June 28, 1914. A young Serbian patriot shot and
killed Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The assassination
took place in Sarajevo, a town in the territory of Bosnia-Herzegovina on the Balkan Peninsula,
which had been taken over by Austria in 1908. The assassin belonged to a group that wanted
Bosnia to break away from Austria and unite with the Kingdom of Serbia.

Austrian military leaders saw the assassination as an excuse for a war with Serbia. They
expected a quick Austrian victory and a takeover of Serbia. After receiving a promise of full
military support from Germany, the Austrian government presented Serbia with a list of
demands. Serbia was expected to agree to them or face invasion. Europeans now expected
war, and Austria and Germany began mobilizing their armies, or preparing them for the
fighting. Russia, which had promised to come to the aid of Serbia in any war, also began to get
its military ready.

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Serbia agreed to all of Austria-Hungary’s demands except one. To Austrian leaders, that
single refusal was enough for a declaration of war against Serbia on July 25, 1914.

Czar Nicholas takes first preventive step

As the Austrian army began to invade Serbia, Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany and Czar Nicholas
of Russia, who were first cousins, made a last-ditch effort to contain the conflict through an
exchange of telegrams. These were messages that in the early 20th century were transmitted
over wires in Morse Code.

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The exchange took place in English. It began with a telegram sent by Nicholas shortly after
midnight on July 29, 1914:

In this serious moment, I appeal to you to help me. A shameful war has been
declared against a weak country, and the outrage in Russia is enormous. I
foresee that very soon I shall be overwhelmed by the pressure forced upon
me. I will have to take extreme measures, which will lead to war. To avoid
such a disaster as a European war, I beg you in the name of our old
friendship to do what you can to stop your allies from going too far.

"Peace should be maintained"

On the evening of July 29, Wilhelm responded to Nicholas’ message:

I received your telegram and share your wish that peace should be
maintained. I think a direct understanding between your government and
Austria possible and desirable, and my government is continuing its exercises
to promote it. Of course, military measures on the part of Russia would be
looked upon by Austria as a disaster we both wish to avoid. They would
threaten my position as negotiator.

At 1:20 a.m. on July 30, Nicholas wrote:

Thank you heartily for your quick answer. I am sending a Russian diplomat
this evening with instructions. The military measures which have now come
into force were decided five days ago as a defense against Austria’s
preparations. I hope from all my heart that these measures will not in any way
interfere with your part as negotiator, which I greatly value. We need your
strong pressure on Austria to come to an understanding with us.

Wilhelm responded almost immediately:

Best thanks for your telegram. Austria has only mobilized against Serbia and
only a part of her army. If Russia mobilizes against Austria, my role as
negotiator that you kindly entrusted me with will be endangered if not ruined.
The whole weight of the decision lies solely on your shoulders now, who have
to bear the responsibility for Peace or War.

Nervous borders

The next day, on July 31, Wilhelm sent a second telegram:

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 I now receive news of serious preparations for war on my Eastern frontier.
Responsibility for the safety of my empire forces me to take preventive
measures. In my efforts to maintain the peace of the world I have gone to the
utmost limit possible, and I will not be blamed for the disaster now threatening
the whole civilized world.
The peace of Europe may still be maintained by you if Russia will agree to
stop its military measures.

At about the same time, Czar Nicholas sent this telegram:

I thank you heartily for your help negotiating with Austria, which begins to give
one hope that all may still end peacefully. We are far from wishing war. As
long as the negotiations with Austria on Serbia's account are taking place my
troops shall not make any provocative action. I give you my solemn word for
this.

Kaiser Wilhelm waits for word

On August 1, the kaiser replied to the czar:

Thanks for your telegram. I yesterday pointed out to your government the way
by which war may be avoided. Although I requested an answer by noon
today, no word from your government has reached me yet, and I, therefore,
have been obliged to mobilize my army.

Within hours, Germany declared war on Russia. Two days later, France, as an ally of Russia,
joined in. Another monarch, Britain’s King George V, tried to contain the fighting by sending
several urgent telegrams calling for peace, but neither side responded.

Armies throughout the rest of Europe began preparing for what would become World War I.

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Quiz

1 Which section of the article highlights the idea that Nicholas and Wilhelm communicated through
representatives from their governments in addition to the telegrams?

(A) "Czar Nicholas takes first preventive step"

(B) "Peace should be maintained"

(C) "Nervous borders"

(D) "Kaiser Wilhelm waits for word"

2 Read the selection from Czar Nicholas' telegram in the section "Czar Nicholas takes first
preventive step."

In this serious moment, I appeal to you to help me. A shameful war

has been declared against a weak country, and the outrage in Russia
is enormous. I foresee that very soon I shall be overwhelmed by the
pressure forced upon me.

Which conclusion is BEST supported by this paragraph?

(A) Czar Nicholas believed that the people of Russia would demand war.

(B) Czar Nicholas did not believe Austria's army would need help from Germany.

(C) Czar Nicholas was not concerned with what the people of Russia wanted.

(D) Czar Nicholas was mainly concerned that Russia appear strong to the rest of
Europe.

3 Which of the following MOST influenced Germany's declaration of war against Russia?

(A) military preparations on Germany's eastern border

(B) Russia did not stop its military measures

(C) France's decision to ally itself with Russia

(D) urgent telegrams from Britain's King George V

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4 Why were Germany and Russia negotiating over a war between Austria-Hungary and Serbia?

(A) Germany and Russia wanted to take over leadership of those countries to
maintain peace.

(B) Germany and Russia felt that Austria-Hungary and Serbia would try to take
parts of their countries.

(C) Germany had promised military support to Austria-Hungary and Russia had
promised it to Serbia.

(D) Germany had failed to stop the assassination of the archduke and Russia knew
about it.

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Answer Key

1 Which section of the article highlights the idea that Nicholas and Wilhelm communicated through
representatives from their governments in addition to the telegrams?

(A) "Czar Nicholas takes first preventive step"

(B) "Peace should be maintained"

(C) "Nervous borders"

(D) "Kaiser Wilhelm waits for word"

2 Read the selection from Czar Nicholas' telegram in the section "Czar Nicholas takes first
preventive step."

In this serious moment, I appeal to you to help me. A shameful war

has been declared against a weak country, and the outrage in Russia
is enormous. I foresee that very soon I shall be overwhelmed by the
pressure forced upon me.

Which conclusion is BEST supported by this paragraph?

(A) Czar Nicholas believed that the people of Russia would demand war.

(B) Czar Nicholas did not believe Austria's army would need help from Germany.

(C) Czar Nicholas was not concerned with what the people of Russia wanted.

(D) Czar Nicholas was mainly concerned that Russia appear strong to the rest of
Europe.

3 Which of the following MOST influenced Germany's declaration of war against Russia?

(A) military preparations on Germany's eastern border

(B) Russia did not stop its military measures

(C) France's decision to ally itself with Russia

(D) urgent telegrams from Britain's King George V

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4 Why were Germany and Russia negotiating over a war between Austria-Hungary and Serbia?

(A) Germany and Russia wanted to take over leadership of those countries to
maintain peace.

(B) Germany and Russia felt that Austria-Hungary and Serbia would try to take
parts of their countries.

(C) Germany had promised military support to Austria-Hungary and Russia

had promised it to Serbia.

(D) Germany had failed to stop the assassination of the archduke and Russia knew
about it.

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