Page:The guilt of William Hohenzollern.djvu/98

94 of the presence of M. Poincaré in St. Petersburg was the sole reason for the delay in presenting the Note in Belgrade, and that they could rest completely assured in Berlin that there was no question of hesitation or irresolution here."

These continued assurances, that Berlin could rely on Vienna's determination to fight, are very remarkable.

In the Vienna Cabinet Council of July 19th Berchtold also declared that he was against any unnecessary postponement,

"As they are now beginning in Berlin to get nervous, and news as to our intentions has filtered through to Rome, so that he could not answer for undesirable incidents if the matter were spun out any further. Conrad von Hötzendorf was urging the necessity of haste. The Minister of War declares that everything is ready for mobilization!"

Thus it was desired to present the Note as soon as possible, but not before the French President had left Russia. It is amusing to see with what care his travelling route is now studied, and one of the two conspirators communicates to the other his observations of the movements of the unsuspecting wanderer.

On July 17th it is reported from Vienna that the Note will be presented on July 23rd, as on that day Poincaré is to leave St. Petersburg. From now, however, the very hour of his departure became important.

On July 21st the Admiral's Staff of the Navy informs Jagow that the departure from Kronstadt is fixed for the 23rd at ten o'clock at night. On the same day Jagow