Page:The guilt of William Hohenzollern.djvu/240

236 on a special mission to Rome, sent the following telegram from thence to the "Kaiser's Majesty": ""To-day, Monday, at 9 a.m., I delivered your Majesty's message to the King of Italy, in which immediate mobilization as well as the assistance provided for in the Treaty of Alliance was demanded.

"The King replied that he personally was whole-heartedly with us, and up to some weeks ago had never for a moment doubted that in war Italy would faithfully help her allies. The tactlessness of Austria, incredible to Italian popular feeling, had, however, incited public opinion in the past few weeks against Austria in such a way that now active co-operation with Austria would let loose a storm. The Ministry would not risk a revolt. He, the King, had unfortunately no power, only influence. If he dismissed the present Ministry, no other would assume the responsibility of office. All this, mainly because Austria was not ready to give any definite promise for the future, by which a change might perhaps have been wrought by now in public opinion. Whether this was still possible was very doubtful.

"As the people do not understand the distinction, Italy, as a result of Austria's tactlessness, would unfortunately fail Germany also, which gave him, the King, great pain. He will again exert his influence on the Ministry and report the result.""

The next day Herr von Kleist had nothing more consoling to report:

"H.M. the King received me this morning and said: In spite of his repeated efforts yesterday, the Government still maintains its attitude on