Social and Diplomatic Memories. Third Series. 1902-1919
EDWARD ARNOLD & CO.
The two preceding volumes of my memories would
have remained incomplete without a third carrying on the record
until the end of the Great War, to which much of the matter contained
in them seems now to have been a prelude. The reception accorded
to the second not less than to the first series has, moreover,
encouraged me to continue. My critics have been so consistently
kind that there has been little in their comments to elicit a
rejoinder. One reviewer from the other side of the Atlantic, however,
gently protested against a tendency to intermingle with really
serious matter stories in a lighter vein as being distracting
to the reader. To him I would reply that l did not set out to
write a history of my own times, but rather to give a picture
of contemporary life, as I had seen it from posts of vantage.
Since life is compounded of grave and gay, my picture would be
unfaithful without the lighter element.
Another suggested that I must have been surprised
myself at being able to compile three volumes of autobiography.
I should be disposed to agree with him had these volumes been
more than incidentally autobiographical. Their aim was rather
to convey the atmosphere in which events of importance took shape,
to describe certain phases of an old order which is passing away,
and to throw a more familiar light on some of the personalities
who have played an important part in public affairs. Thirty-seven
years of diplomatic experience in foreign countries have provided
ample material. So little did I seek to be autobiographical that
in the earlier volumes I refrained as far as possible from expressing
opinions of my own, and endeavoured to exclude matter which was
only personal. It has been less easy in dealing with recent events
to adhere to this principle, and occasions inevitably arose when
conflicts of view in matters affecting the public service had
also a personal element. For any opinions which may be here expressed
I am solely responsible.
One further criticism which provokes a reply
is that of having been too discreet. In an old public servant
due reserve is not only a virtue, but an obvious duty, and it
must be a condition of the publication of such memoirs. Some who
have lived through exceptional times with exceptional opportunities
for observation may feel tempted like Procopius to compile an
Arcana Historia, supplementing the more circumspect judgments
of men and things which it is legitimate to express. An unexpurgated
history of experiences during the Great War might be an entertaining
document. But it would record conclusions derived from sources
which could not be properly used and appreciations which, though
the author might not doubt their accuracy, could not be supported
by evidence which would satisfy the judicial standard. There is,
however, to my mind something antipathetic in posthumous criticism,
and what it is not convenient to say openly is best buried and
forgotten.
I wish to repeat, more especially in regard
to this volume, that all that has been recorded here is derived
from notes in my diaries, from letters written at the time and
from memory refreshed by these. The sequence of events as I saw
and interpreted them is fully dealt with in dispatches which remain
available for examination at a proper time and place. I have not
re-read any of my own dispatches since. There must always be much
which eludes or would be out of place in an official report, and
my present purpose has rather been to reproduce the ambience in
which historic developments took place, and to supplement the
balder narrative with more intimate appreciations.
Finally, I wish to emphasize that in describing
the attitude of Italy immediately before and during the Great
War, the story of which begins with the eighth chapter, I have
endeavoured to convey what I believe to have been the general
trend of popular opinion. Certain groups, certain individuals
were no doubt inspired by more directly nationalistic or even
imperialistic ambitions, and were less concerned with moral and
ethical obligations. I do not pretend to have fathomed, as some
writers claim to have done, the recesses of the minds of San Giuliano,
of Salandra, of Sonnino, or even of Bissolati, for whose political
appreciations I had a great respect. The important point for me
was that Italy entered the war on the side of the allies at a
very critical moment. And this she could not have done without
the support of the nation constraining and overawing an admittedly
neutralist majority in Parliament. It is the mentality of the
nation and not that of individuals which I have endeavoured to
interpret. The Italian temperament is an inheritance from an ancient
marriage between the practical and the ideal, the Latin and the
Lombard. The practical and logical spirit reaffirmed itself when
the hour came to balance accounts. But in the valley of decision
ideal considerations played a greater part than has been generally
recognized. And the idealists have had their reward. For although
the nation, influenced by an intensive process of suggestion from
groups or individuals disappointed m particular aims, has not
yet realized the fact, the material results of the war for Italy
have, in my opinion, been more important and intrinsically more
valuable than those achieved by any of the great powers engaged
in the struggle.
I gratefully acknowledge a debt to my friends
Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Trevelyan who have been so good as to look
through the proofs of this volume.
.
Lord Currie, Ambassador. Political situation. Prinetti, Sonnino, Giolitti. Diplomatic representatives. Social life. Intellectual society. Monseigneur Duchesne. Sabatier. The Keats-Shelley Memorial. Ninfa. The Shah's visit. Illness of King Edward VII. Vallombrosa. Summer festivals. Kitchenerin Rome.
Sir F. Bertie, Ambassador. King Victor Emmanuel. Prinetti's illness. Visit of King Edward VII. Illness and death of Leo XIII. The Funeral. The Conclave and the election of Pius X. Death of Lord Salisbury. Bertie asAmbassador. Appointment to Stockholm. The Layard pictures.
Swedish characteristics. King Oscar and his Court. Visit to Christiania. The Scandinavian crisis. New Ministry in Norway indicates dissolution of Union. Engagement of heir presumptive to Princess Margaret of Connaught. Sven Hedin. King Oscar refuses sanction to Norwegian Consular Bill. Norway appoints Provisional Government. Royal Wedding. Sweden agrees to dissolution of the Union. Karlstadt Conference. Prince Charlesof Denmark offered throne of Norway.
Summer life in Sweden. Frank Rhodes. Revolutionary movement in Russia. Domestic anxieties. Proportional Election Bill. Count F. Wachtmeister. Elk shooting. Visby. Diplomatic rivalries. Aland Islands. Death of King Oscar. Visit of King Edward to Stockholm. Death of Sir E. Malet. My appointment as Ambassador at Rome. Farewells. Visit to Canada and United States. President Roosevelt. An informal Cabinet meeting.Mr. Taft's election.
Political situation in Italy. The earthquake at Messina. Aehrenthal and lsvolsky. Opening of Keats-Shelley Memorial. With King Edward in the Mediterranean. My official reception. Porto Fino. Crete once more. The diplomatic body. Herr von Jagow. Sonnino's "hundred days." San Giuliano as Foreign Minister. Roosevelt in Rome. Death of KingEdward.
The Funeral. Kitchener. The Villa Rosebery. The old Protestant Cemetery at Rome. Cholera at Naples. Shakespeare monument at Verona. Prince Bülow. Fiftieth anniversary of Italian Unity. Exhibitions at Turin and Rome. Reconstitution of British school. Visit to Sardinia. The National Monument. The Coronation. Agadir. Island of Giannutri. Grounding of the San Giorgio. Outbreak of Italo-TurkishWar. A Bismarck story.
A Franco-Italian incident. Visitors to the Embassy. Attempt on life of King of Italy. The Dedication of the Campanile at Venice. Italo-Turkish peace negotiations. Germany and Great Britain. A Corsican Vendetta. The Balkan States attack Turkey. The Layard bequest. Death of Sir Reginald Lister. V. Jagow appointed Foreign Minister at Berlin. His hopes for an understanding with Great Britain. Austrian pressure on Italy to join in action against Montenegro and Serbia. The historic Ball at the British Embassy. Second Balkan War. Second Austrian attempt to involve Italy in aggression against Serbia. The Conference of Ambassadors. Albania. Aubrey Herbert. Deadlockin negotiations regarding the Layard collection.
<A HREF="Rodd08.htm">CHAPTER VIII: 1889-1914</A>
Antecedents of the Great War. Retrospect over relations between Great Britain and Germany from 1889. The part played by the Emperor. Estimate of the measureof his responsibility.
<A HREF="Rodd09.htm">CHAPTER IX: ROME, 1914</A>
The Serajevo assassinations and the Austrian ultimatum to Serbia. Efforts to avert war. Italy declares her neutrality. We enter the war. News of Goeben and Breslau. Death of Plus X and election of Benedict XV. Propaganda at Conclave. British representation at Holy See. Counter-propaganda. M. Destrée. The anti-war groups in Italy. The interventionists. Salandra and San Giuliano. Importance of Italy's neutrality. Embassy Staff. Sir C. Capel-Cure. Deathof San Giuliano. Turkey enters the war.
<A HREF="Rodd10.htm">CHAPTER X: ROME, 1915</A>
Sonnino becomes Minister for Foreign Affairs. Strength of neutralist groups. The American Ambassador, T. Nelson Page. Arrival of Prince Bülow as Special Ambassador. Earthquake in Abruzzi province. Amateur diplomatists. Bülow's conversations with Page and others. Giolitti and the parecchio. Negotiations for Treaty of London. Final decision regarding Layard pictures. Triple Alliance denounced. Internal divisions. D'Annunzio's apostolate. Mussolini. Majority in Parliament for Giolitti and neutrality. Salandra resigns. Popular uprising. Salandra reappointed. Parliamentary decision of 20th May. War with Austria declared. Demonstration at Embassy.Why Italy entered the war.
<A HREF="Rodd11.htm">CHAPTER XI: ROME, 1915-1916</A>
Opening of campaign. British Military Mission. An emissary from the ex-Khedive. Sonnino's Balkan policy. Italy and Germany. Difficult nature of Alpine warfare. Characteristics of Sonnino. British ambulances. G. M. Trevelyan. Charles Lister. Rifles for Russia. A hospital in Sicily. Summons to London. British Italian Corporation. Kitchener's visit to Rome. His views. Serbian retreat in Albania. Measures for relief and rescue. British Adriatic Mission. Lord Montagu. Red Cross and Blue Cross. Shortage of material and foodstuffs inItaly.
<A HREF="Rodd12.htm">CHAPTER XII: ROME, 1916</A>
Mr. Asquith's visit. The Italian Front. Reverse in the Trentino. Salandra resigns. Boselli Prime Minister. The Fascio. Shortage of shipping. Mr. Runciman. Conference at Pallanza. Contraband and War-Trade issues. We take charge of the fruit trade. Hemp purchases. Miscellaneous duties of Ambassadors in war-time. General Foch. Dr. Benes. Supilo. Pasitch. Propaganda. Donna Bettina di Casanova. The British Institute in Florence. The war work of the Ambassadress. Club for Britishsoldiers in Rome.
<A HREF="Rodd13.htm">CHAPTER XIII: ROME, 1916-1917</A>
Military situation at end of 1916. Greece and the Allies. German peace proposals. M. Caillaux in Italy. Summoned home to confer. Conference at Rome. Mr. Lloyd George's plan of campaign. Proposals withdrawn. General Sarrail. General Lyautey. Briand and Albert Thomas. The Vatican. Death of H. Cust. Visit of Sir W. Robertson. Russian Revolution. The United States enter the war. Negotiations with Senoussi. Mark Sykes. St. Jean de Maurienne. Anti-military propaganda in Italy.A midnight adventure. My first leave.
<A HREF="Rodd14.htm">CHAPTER XIV: ROME, 1917-1918</A>
Orlando Prime Minister. Caporetto. Moral influences largely responsible. The retreat and recovery on the Piave. Conference at Rapallo. Arrival of Allied contingents. Generals Cadorna and Diaz. Spirit of the country. Enemy subjects interned. Sir Eric Geddes. Sir Cecil Spring-Rice. Mr. Wickham Steed in Italy. Conference of races subject to Habsburg Dynasty. Steed and Sonnino. The "Italian Committee." Anomalies of war-time. The Prince of Wales in Rome. The Guards' Band. Salaries.Austrian offensive on Piave repelled. Leave. Conditions at home.
<A HREF="Rodd15.htm">CHAPTER XV: ROME, 1918-1919</A>
Premonitions of victory. The advance from the Piave. Vittorio Veneto. Mutiny at Pola. The German débâcle The Armistice. Return of King of Italy to Rome. Preparations for Peace Conference. Considerations which moved Italian Statesmen. President Wilson's progress. Death of Roosevelt. Peace negotiations. Withdrawal of Italian Delegates from Paris and return. Departure of American Ambassador. Colonel Lawrence. Orlando succeeded by Nitti. Sonnino withdraws from public life. His death. My retirement. Mission to Egypt. D'Annunzio and Fiume. Departure from Rome. Subsequent activities. Byronand Missolonghi.
<A HREF="Rodd15.htm#ep">EPILOGUE</A>