Chapter 170 Ultimatum

France and Germany have been enemies since the Franco-Prussian War. France wholeheartedly wanted to avenge the Franco-Prussian War, and it was ashamed. In the same way, Germany also wants to defeat France again and dominate the European continent.

After the Sarajevo incident broke out, France immediately felt a huge crisis. French President Raymond Poincaré asked the army to begin secret mobilization and prepare for battle. At the same time, the ambassador to Russia was also required to contact the Russian side. France and Russia have signed a military alliance treaty. Once the two countries are attacked by Germany, the other country must attack Germany unconditionally.

The French know well that Germany's military strength has expanded too fast. If they rely only on their own strength, they are not Germany's opponents at all. Therefore, they can only pull in other countries to deal with Germany together. Fortunately, Germany has many opponents. The combination of France and Russia is enough to contain Germany on land. Coupled with the support of the United Kingdom, it is not impossible to defeat Germany.

The attitude of the British on the other side of the strait is somewhat different. The United Kingdom is also ready for war, and believes that fighting early is worse than fighting late, and any further delay will be detrimental to itself. Because Britain, seeing that Germany was more productive than itself, would quickly catch up in the naval shipbuilding race, hoping to defeat a dangerous rival by war while still maintaining naval superiority in 1914.

However, after the Sarajevo incident, the United Kingdom did not show any intention of participating in the war at first, because it was worried that Germany would rein in the precipice, and it was afraid of taking the responsibility of starting the war first. At the same time, there is a pro-German faction in the British Parliament and cabinet. In the British cabinet, 12 cabinet members did not approve of going to war. The entire working class and most Liberals opposed going to war. A mass rally in Trafalgar Square demanded that Britain declare neutrality. Under the pressure of the massive peace movement, British Foreign Secretary Gray told the German ambassador to Britain that Britain has no alliance with Russia and France and is not bound by any obligations, and has repeatedly stated that Britain's attitude is to "do everything possible to prevent the There is a war between great powers."

On July 5, Zhuo Jiyi, the ambassador of the Austro-Hungarian Empire to Germany, was ordered to submit the personal letter of Emperor Franz Joseph I to Wilhelm II. The letter said: The assassination of the Crown Prince of Austria "was the result of the direct instigation of the Great Slavophiles of Russia and Serbia; My court and my dominion will be in peril for a long time. . . . After the recent terrible events in Bosnia, you must also think that an amicable resolution of the hostilities between Austria-Hungary and Serbia is impossible As long as Belgrade, the source of this criminal incitement, is not punished, the peace policy of all European monarchies will be threatened." The so-called punishment of Serbia in the letter is to start a war against Serbia. Franz Joseph I begged Wilhelm II to support his war effort.

On July 5 and July 6, William II successively convened senior generals and government ministers to hold meetings in Potsdam Palace. He informed his courtiers of the possible war. The generals replied to the emperor that all preparations for war were in place. The Chief of Quartermaster of the General Staff reported to the Emperor: "After this audience, I have nothing more to do. The mobilization plan was completed on March 31, 1914. The army is ready, as usual." It can be seen that Germany's war preparations have already been completed. Under such circumstances, Kaiser Wilhelm II issued an order to prepare for war.

On July 20, French President Raymond Poincaré and Prime Minister René Viviani visited Russia. The two countries pledged to each other that, in the event of war against Germany, the two countries would fulfill their obligations as allies. Russia and France have repeatedly emphasized the "precious friendship" between the two countries in the communiqués of the talks between the two countries and on public diplomatic occasions, exaggerated the "brotherly naval and army forces", and expressed to each other that they would "loyally and unremittingly cooperate with their allies". cooperate". During the summit meeting between the two countries, the Russian government held a reception banquet at the Winter Palace in Petersburg. During the meeting, Raymond Poincaret talked with the Austro-Hungarian ambassador specifically, asking the ambassador to tell the Austro-Hungarian government "should be particularly cautious" in handling relations with Serbia. He emphasized: "Serbia is a very close friend among the Russian people, and Russia has an ally, France. There are so many terrible disputes on this issue."

On July 23, Austria-Hungary issued an ultimatum to the Serbian government. Demands that the Serbian government meet the following demands of the Austro-Hungarian Empire: shut down any publications that arouse hatred and contempt for the Austro-Hungarian imperial family; immediately ban national self-defense organizations and other organizations that promote anti-Austro-Hungarian empire; immediately ban educational groups and teaching methods , delete any teaching content that would or might incite anti-Austro-Hungarian propaganda; remove officials in the military or administrative departments who are accused of conducting anti-Austro-Hungarian propaganda, and the list of such officials is provided by the Austro-Hungarian government; Accept cooperation with the relevant departments of the Austro-Hungarian government to suppress activities in Serbia that attempt to subvert the territorial integrity of the Austro-Hungarian Empire; with the assistance and instructions of the relevant departments designated by the Austro-Hungarian government, take legal action to punish planning or execution June 28 the assassination of those who were on Serbian territory in 1914; the immediate arrest of the two persons named according to the preliminary investigations of the Austro-Hungarian Empire; cooperation in taking effective measures to curb arms smuggling in its territory; explaining to Austria-Hungary Hostility, remarks by senior Serbian officials inside or outside Serbia; take the above measures immediately and inform Austria-Hungary.

Regarding the ultimatum proposed by the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Serbia is willing to accept all except Articles 4 and 5. However, this is obviously not the result desired by the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

After Austria-Hungary issued an ultimatum, Russia informed the Austria-Hungary Empire that attacking Serbia would trigger Russia's general mobilization, and stated that Russia would not allow Austria-Hungary to defeat Serbia and become the hegemon of the Balkan Peninsula. On July 26, British Foreign Secretary Gray proposed that Germany, Britain, France, and Italy mediate the discord between Austria and Serbia. However, Britain secretly encouraged France and Russia to fight against Germany and Austria, and promised to support them, which emboldened France and Russia.

Britain's true colors were publicly exposed the day after Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. On July 29, Gray received the German ambassador and made it clear that if the conflict was limited to Russia and Austria, Britain could remain neutral; Under the circumstances, you will be forced to make an urgent decision. In this case, you cannot sit on the sidelines for a long time."