Page:The guilt of William Hohenzollern.djvu/128

124 spared the dreadful alternative between war or unconditional submission, both of which he equally feared, because either threatened him with catastrophe, with ruin.

But did not precisely these humble telegrams permit one to expect that Russia would again, as in 1909, be forced to her knees, and this time still more thoroughly, if one only remained firm?

Thus everything appeared to be going on swimmingly for the Central Powers.

William, in those days, still appeared aggressive and in high spirits.

What he thought of the Austrian Note before he had read the Serbian reply is shown by his comments on a telegram from Belgrade of July 24th, read by him on the 25th. It announces:

""The energetic tone and the precise demands of the Austrian Note have taken the Serbian Government completely by surprise." [William: "Bravo! We had not thought the Viennese were still capable of that."]"

The telegram continues:

"" Since early morning the Ministerial Council has been sitting under the presidency of the Crown Prince-Regent.""

William:

""His Majesty [King Nicholas] seems to have made himself scarce!""

His exalted German Majesty did not dream how one