Page:Diplomacy and the War (Andrassy 1921).djvu/74

 it was well known Austria would never cede Bosnia and Herzegovina without war to Turkey, and much less to Serbia. The Czar said the same thing.

"The Czar," said a Serbian diplomat, "gave expression to his great sympathy for Serbia, advised a peaceful attitude because our cause was just but our preparation was weak. The question of Bosnia and Herzegovina will only be decided at the point of the sword." Notwithstanding that Russia knew this, she did everything to support and strengthen Pan-Serbian ambitions. And the Czar continued: "Our advice is: agreement with Turkey, peaceful attitude, military preparation, and wait."

When Gutschkow informed Serbia, in 1909, during the Bosnian crisis, that Russia could not interfere in this question, he added with reference to the future: "As soon as our armaments are complete, we will settle up with Austria-Hungary. Do not begin a war now, for this would be suicide. Keep your intentions secret and prepare yourselves, for the days of your joy are about to come." The Serbian Ambassador reported that Bobrinski had told him: "There was no hatred against Austria, but the fact that Austria humiliated us has let loose a terrible wrath and hatred against her, for which she will pay dearly."

On another occasion Iswolski expressed the following opinion to the Serbian Ambassador: "Serbia will be condemned to a miserable life until the hour of the disruption of the Austro-Hungarian Empire has struck. The annexation has brought this moment nearer, and