On the 5th August I had the honour to receive your instruction of the previous day preparing me for the immediate outbreak of war with Germany, but adding that, Austria being understood to be not yet at that date at war with Russia and France, you did not desire me to ask for my passport or to make any particular communication to the Austro-Hungarian Government.  You stated at the same time that His Majesty’s Government of course expected Austria not to commit any act of war against us without the notice required by diplomatic usage.

On Thursday morning, the 13th August, I had the honour to receive your telegram of the 12th, stating that you had been compelled to inform Count Mensdorff, at the request of the French Government, that a complete rupture had occurred between France and Austria, on the ground that Austria had declared war on Russia who was already fighting on the side of France, and that Austria had sent troops to the German frontier under conditions that were a direct menace to France.  The rupture having been brought about with France in this way, I was to ask for my passport, and your telegram stated, in conclusion, that you had informed Count Mensdorff that a state of war would exist between the two countries from midnight of the 12th August.

After seeing Mr. Penfield, the United States Ambassador, who accepted immediately in the most friendly spirit my request that his Excellency would take charge provisionally of British interests in Austria-Hungary during the unfortunate interruption of relations, I proceeded, with Mr. Theo Russell, Counsellor of His Majesty’s Embassy, to the Ballplatz.  Count Berchtold received me at midday.  I delivered my message, for which his Excellency did not seem to be unprepared, although he told me that a long telegram from Count Mensdorff had just come in but had not yet been brought to him.  His Excellency received my communication with the courtesy which never leaves him.  He deplored the unhappy complications which were drawing such good friends as Austria and England into war.  In point of fact, he added, Austria did not consider herself then at war with France, though diplomatic relations with that country had been broken off.  I explained in a few words how circumstances had forced this unwelcome conflict upon us.  We both avoided useless argument...

[Footnote 191:  “Miscellaneous, No. 6 (1914).”]

[Footnote 192:  See No. 137, “Miscellaneous, No. 6 (1914).”]

APPENDIX VI

EXTRACTS FROM

THE RUSSIAN ORANGE BOOK

Recueil de Documents Diplomatiques: 

Negociations ayant precede la guerre

10/23 Juillet—­24 Juillet/6 Aout 1914

PREFATORY NOTE TO APPENDIX VI