Page:Diplomacy and the War (Andrassy 1921).djvu/46

 Serbia incited to war and a European war became imminent.

Aehrenthal, however, proved himself to be a calm and excellent fencer. He brought the diplomatic duel to a victorious conclusion. Europe recognized the annexation. The Triple Alliance proved itself powerful, although Italy did not turn out to be independent. The faithful and energetic attitude of Germany combined with the personal qualities of Aehrenthal to achieve the victory. Bülow believed that this diplomatic victory would break up the unity of the Entente, although this victory was disadvantageous.

The fundamental thought of this campaign, which was executed so admirably in its details, was wrong, and in the end became one of the causes of the European War. We had committed a definitely illegal action, and we had given an example to Italy which she hastened to imitate, partially because she felt that after our successes it was essential for her to give evidence of her prowess. This diplomatic feat did not gain for us a single man or a single halfpennv; nor did we gain in power in any way, but quite on the contrary, we had to give up the Sandschak Novibazar, we had to surrender our rights on the coastline of Montenegro, and we had to buy with money from Turkey what belonged to us already. We succeeded in turning Russia against us, but not in weakening her. The agitation in Serbia became more and more acute and hatred increased. Russia and Serbia armed themselves, and plans of revenge were hatched in