Difference between revisions of "The German Declaration of War on Russia"
Line 20: | Line 20: | ||
demand, and having shown by this refusal [<i>this attitude</i>]* that her | demand, and having shown by this refusal [<i>this attitude</i>]* that her | ||
action was directed against Germany, I have the honour, on the instructions | action was directed against Germany, I have the honour, on the instructions | ||
− | of my Government, to inform your Excellency as follows: | + | of my Government, to inform your Excellency as follows:<br><br> |
His Majesty the Emperor, my august Sovereign, in the name of the German | His Majesty the Emperor, my august Sovereign, in the name of the German | ||
Empire, accepts the challenge, and considers himself at war with Russia.<hr> | Empire, accepts the challenge, and considers himself at war with Russia.<hr> |
Revision as of 21:24, 15 September 2007
(July 19th Russian calendar)
Presented by the German Ambassador to St. Petersburg
The Imperial German Government have used every effort since the beginning
of the crisis to bring about a peaceful settlement. In compliance with a
wish expressed to him by His Majesty the Emperor of Russia, the German
Emperor had undertaken, in concert with Great Britain, the part of
mediator between the Cabinets of Vienna and St. Petersburg; but Russia,
without waiting for any result, proceeded to a general mobilisation of her
forces both on land and sea. In consequence of this threatening step,
which was not justified by any military proceedings on the part of Germany,
the German Empire was faced by a grave and imminent danger. If the German
Government had failed to guard against this peril, they would have
compromised the safety and the very existence of Germany. The German
Government were, therefore, obliged to make representations to the
Government of His Majesty the Emperor of All the Russias and to insist
upon a cessation of the aforesaid military acts. Russia having refused to
comply with [not having considered it necessary to answer]* this
demand, and having shown by this refusal [this attitude]* that her
action was directed against Germany, I have the honour, on the instructions
of my Government, to inform your Excellency as follows:
His Majesty the Emperor, my august Sovereign, in the name of the German
*The words in brackets occur in the original.
Return to Official Papers