On August 1st 1914, a British
offer to guarantee French neutrality was sent out and promptly accepted by
Wilhelm. At 4:23 p.m. a telegram from the German Ambassador to Britain arrived
with a planned British proposal to guarantee the neutrality of France and thus
limit the war to one fought in the east. Wilhelm then ordered German forces to
strike against Russia alone, leading to fierce protests from Moltke that it was
not technically possible for Germany to do so as the bulk of the German forces
were already advancing into Luxembourg and Belgium.
Wilhelm immediately accepted the proposal by telegrams at the ambassadorial and
royal levels." In keeping with this decision, Wilhelm II demanded his
generals shift the mobilisation to the east. Helmuth von Moltke (the younger)
the German Chief of General Staff, told him that this was impossible, to which
the Kaiser replied
"Your uncle would have given me a different answer!
Instead, it was decided to mobilize as planned and cancel the planned invasion
of Luxembourg. Once mobilisation was complete, the army would redeploy to the
east.
In response to Wilhelm’s
order, a dejected Moltke complained that “Now, it only remains for Russia to back
out, too.” Moltke then proceeded to persuade the Emperor to
continue the advance for “technical reasons”.
In Berlin, Bethmann Hollweg announced
that Germany had mobilised and delivered an ultimatum to France telling that
country to renounce its alliance with Russia or face a German attack. In
response to reports of German troops invading Luxembourg and Belgium plus the German
ultimatum, French mobilisation was authorised on August 1st. On the afternoon
of August 1st, Wilhelm signed the mobilisation order. Bethmann Hollweg was
angry with Moltke for having Wilhelm sign the orders without informing him
first. By 7:00 pm of August 1st, German troops invaded Luxemburg.
 |
| Signed declaration of war by Germany |
Also on 1st August, Germany
declared war on Russia. When presenting his declaration of war, the German
Ambassador accidentally gave the Russians both copies of the declaration of
war, one which claimed that Russia refused to reply to Germany and the other
that said Russia’s replies were unacceptable. Grey warned Lichnowsky that if
Germany invaded Belgium, Britain would go to war
French mobilisation ordered 3.40 p.m.
Tsar wires to King George V that he had to mobilise on account of Serbia;
but that though he had promised Kaiser he would not move troops during
negotiations, Germany had suddenly declared war.
Austria at last moment appears accommodating to England.
Italy declines to take part in war, as being an aggressive one.
Sir Edward Grey protests
against detention of British ships in Hamburg. At 1pm Asquith’s Cabinet
had been in no mood for war, but three days before had ordered preliminary
mobilisation of the Royal Navy. Winston Churchill, First Lord of the Admiralty,
now argued for full mobilisation. John Morley, president of the Board of Trade,
and John Simon, Attorney General, led those opposed, saying Britain should not
go to war at all.
Herbert Samuel, President of the Local Government
Board, emphasised that their decision depended on whether Germany violated
Belgian independence or attacked the northern coast of France. During the
meeting, Churchill passed notes to Lloyd George, Chancellor of the Exchequer,
attempting to win him round.
4pm In France, the order for mobilisation was issued, though
President Poincaré said it was a precaution and that a peaceful outcome might
still be attainable. Posters appeared on the streets of Paris: MOBILISATION
GENERALE. LE PREMIER JOUR DE LA MOBILISATION EST LE DIMANCHE 2 AOUT
Sir Edward Grey will arrange to see Prince
Lichnowsky early tomorrow to ascertain whether there is a misunderstanding on
his part.
George V’s telegram to the Kaiser
George V’s telegram to the Kaiser
10.30pm Crowds were
pouring on to the streets of St Petersburg. In Paris, the area around the Gare
de l’Est was filling with reservists responding to the mobilisation order. In
Berlin, the Kaiser – still hoping for peace with Britain – sent a message to
his cousin Tsar Nicholas. He said mobilisation had proceeded because Russia had
not responded to Germany’s request and that Russian troops should not be
allowed to cross the frontier.
11pm George V’s telegram arrived in
Berlin. The Kaiser showed the reply to Moltke, with the words: ‘Now you can do
what you want’.
In Britain, it was the first day of a bank
holiday weekend but holidaymakers were no longer thinking about foreign
resorts; the urgent need now was to get home, as the crisis grew. The next
morning's Daily Telegraph reported the arrival of the late boat train
from Ostend: passengers were telling tales of 'panic' abroad and of their
relief at returning to the 'dear old country'
Belgium announces her intention of upholding her neutrality.
Information resourced from the following websites:
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/richardpreston/100282164/ww1-3-days-to-go-france-and-germany-mobilise-germany-declares-war-on-russia/
No comments:
Post a Comment