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Entry: "Childish Unreason", Then and Now Link: http://www.takimag.com/blogs/article/childish_unreason_then_and_now#3976 Post contents: There is no question that the Kaiser--Willy--and the Tsar--Nicky--did communicate in the run-up to the war in a genuine attempt to avoid conflict. However, English clandestine diplomacy was not helpful in this endeavor. Sir Edward Grey's man in London, Sir George Buchanan, the British Ambassador, was urging Russian Foreign Minister Sazonov and other ministers of the Tsar to order a general military mobilization to counter Vienna's ultimatum to Serbia. Buchanan succeeded. It must be assumed that Buchanan was not acting on his own. In those days, mobilization meant war, and everyone knew it. Here's how the Kaiser responded to the news in his telegram to the Tsar on July 31st, 1914: "On your appeal to my friendship and your call for assistance, began to mediate between your government and the Austro-hungarian Government. While this action was proceeding your troops were mobilized against Austro-Hungary, my ally. thereby, as I have already pointed out to you, my mediation has been made almost illusory. I have nevertheless continued my action. I now receive authentic news of serious preparations for war on my eastern frontier. Responsibility for the safety of my empire forces preventive measures of defense upon me. In my endeavors to maintain the peace of the world I have gone to the utmost limit possible. The responsibility for the disaster which is now threatening the whole civilized world will not be laid at my door. In this moment it still lies in your power to avert it. Nobody is threatening the honor or power of Russia who can well afford to await the result of my mediation...." As has been pointed out, Germany mobilized last. The Kaiser did not seek or want war. A good summary of my general outlook is the speech given by German Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg to the Reichstag in 1914 which can be found on Firstworldwar.com as can the complete "Willy-Nicky" Telegrams of July and August, 1914. The speech begins: "Where the responsibility in this greatest of all wars lies is quite evident to us. Outwardly responsible are the men in Russia who planned and carried into effect the general mobilization of the Russian army. But in reality and truth the British Government is responsible...." Patrick Foy Sent at: 2008 10 07